Fall is in the air — maybe not in Malibu, but it certainly is at Trader Joe’s. The store announced the return of their beloved fall flavors on their website Sept. 6.
Whether one has a hankering for pumpkin bread or wants to leap out of their comfort zone to try savory fall items such as pumpkin gnocchi, Trader Joe’s has all bases covered when it comes to the unique tastes of fall.
Customers are assured to see the return of many familiar favorites — such as the pumpkin ice cream and butternut squash mac and cheese — while also being introduced to 11 new items this year.
Sophomore Bella Ferch said she is very excited for the return of the seasonal items.
“I love that they have so many options and variations that are only available in the fall,” Ferch said. “It makes me so much more excited for the season and the flavors, and I love how they create an atmosphere through their packaging and items.”
Ferch spends her time in Malibu away from her hometown of Spokane, Wash., where the leaves change color and the weather is a crisp cool during the fall months. Although she loves the beach and warm weather, she said it can feel a bit monotonous at times.
“Growing up in Washington, I kind of took fall for granted,” Ferch said. “I think here, I’m a lot more conscious of making it seem like fall, even if the weather doesn’t reflect that.”
Senior Aoife Klopcic said she shares similar feelings to Ferch during the fall months. Being from Michigan, Klopcic is used to experiencing a real fall with orange tones.
“Something I struggle with in LA is feeling like time never passes because the weather is so consistent,” Klopcic said.
Despite this constant sunny weather and heat throughout the later months, Klopcic finds Trader Joe’s to heal the part of her heart that aches for fall.
“Getting certain things depending on the season helps me with homesickness,” Klopcic said.
Ferch said she is a huge fan of the fall season, and these seasonal items help contribute to the cozy fall feeling she looks forward to all year.
“My favorite thing to do is go on a Trader Joe’s run and search for all the items before a fall movie session,” Ferch said.
Senior Nick Yi said he has a favorite non-food and food item from the selection of fall items the store has to offer. He looks forward to the cinnamon broomsticks and the pumpkin gnocchi every year.
“I don’t know what it is about it, it’s just a little bit better than the normal gnocchi,” Yi said. “It doesn’t really taste like pumpkin, but it’s good. It might just be that it’s orange and during the fall.”
Klopcic said the item she is most looking forward to this season is the harvest blend tea.
“I drink tea throughout the day, so it will be nice to add a new one to the mix,” Klopcic said.
From the selection of new items hitting the shelves this year, Ferch said she has already picked out the one she will purchase first.
“I’m excited for the pumpkin spice cold brew coffee concentrate, because pumpkin spice is every basic girl’s number one need, and I’m no different,” Ferch said.
Whether it is to repurchase a familiar fall favorite or to test out one of the store’s new items, Trader Joe’s is here to provide the fall feels that are absent from Malibu.
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Contact Amanda Monahan via email: amanda.monahan@pepperdine.edu
