Coles responds to backlash over ‘lazy’ supermarket item

The Australian grocery giant has responded to claims a popular item is “useless” and “dumb” – and many Aussies agree it’s a “godsend”.

Coles has defended a “popular” grocery product after an angry shopper branded people who buy the item “lazy” and “useless”.

The disgruntled customer let loose at people who buy precut veggies from supermarkets in a post on Reddit.

The shopper slammed anyone who purchased the items, labelling them “useless” and “dumb” — as well as becoming agitated at the amount of plastic these products required.

The fired-up post, filled with expletives, was shared alongside a photo of a Woolworths fridge filled with diced white onion, cut spring onion, quick cook potatoes and other precut vegetables.

But many took offence at the suggestion those buying the items — also sold at Coles and Aldi — were “lazy”.

Reddit user accuses shoppers who buy precut vegetables as ‘useless’. Picture: Reddit/u/getyerhandoffit

“A lot of comments here calling out people for being lazy, but these are actually a godsend for people with disabilities, fine motor issues, etc,” one social media user said.

“Some people simply can’t hold a knife and cut veg, and this makes fresh stuff accessible for them. Don’t like it, don’t buy it.

“Seems like there’s a lot more out there to complain about than this.”

Another said: “People want to eat fresh food but without spending an hour in prep+cook time.”

A third added: “Imagine being mad because you saw some cut up packaged fruit in a grocery store.”

Others also said it helped them when they were sick, going through a rough time or dealing with a flare up of arthritis or any injury.

However some agreed with the original poster, with one person claiming they would “never waste” money like that.

“How time poor are you to not cut veggies?” one said.

Both supermarkets have a large collection of precut vegetables on offer. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

Coles has its own version of the precut fruit and vegetables called the Fresh Kitchen range.

Elizabeth Babic, Coles category manager for dairy, frozen and convenience, told news.com.au there were many reasons why it was “popular and convenient for customers”.

“Coles Fresh Kitchen is convenient for time-poor customers who like to grab and go and reduce food preparation time with a range of pre-cut fruit and vegetable, healthy breakfast additions such as boiled eggs, and soups,” she said.

“Some of the products also allow for microwave cooking so it is quick and easy meal solution, and retains nutrients better than other methods of cooking such as boiling.”

Other reasons included food waste management, as many families would not consume a whole head of cabbage before it expired.

“Some of the Coles Fresh Kitchen range offers kits and contain a sachet to create a full meal. For example, the soup kits contain a stock sachet as do the salads with dressing sachets,” Ms Babic said.

“The range also includes vegetables in formats that customers may not be able to replicate at home such as zucchini noodles and cauliflower rice.”

However the accessibility the products provided were key in its importance.

“Pre-cut and packaged fresh produce improves accessibility to healthy and delicious fruit and vegetables, for customers with disability or the inability to cut and prepare food themselves,” Ms Babic said.