Store check: Produce packaging in Zurich

When I talk about store checking in Europe, a lot of folks in North America comment that Europe relies less on packaging — particularly plastic — than the U.S.

While that may be true for some categories, and in some places, I’ve not found that to be the case everywhere.

German grocery stores, in my experience, do offer more bulk and less packaged produce, but next door in Austria and Switzerland? I see a lot more packaged produce in those stores.

I visited friends in Zurich recently and saw some new types of packaging, particularly in herbs and salads.

I also saw endive as a fresh produce snack. Endive is so far out of the mainstream here that it was kind of wild to see it targeted toward something like snacking.

Of course, I was in Switzerland and that means cheese. My cheese-loving 10-year-old was in his happy place.

Here’s a quick look around Coop in Zurich.