Festival Foods — Local services in Neenah

This was last week, but I felt the need to say something here even though I’ve already spoken to the front end manager. So if you run this account no need to reply.

I love the selection and the convenience of this store but the policy of letting front end cashiers/baggers having their phones on their person should be revoked immediately. I don’t know what the company/CEO was thinking for letting this become policy, but it is ridiculous and it’s a sign of the times. Are we so addicted to our devices that we can’t be without them ESPECIALLY when you are in the service industry? What is going on?

I know you basically need bodies to fill the roles needed at this point. But come on. Letting people (especially teenagers) having their phones on them at the register should not be a perk for working here. It was most certainly not this way when I worked for festival - in fact, if we were discovered to have our phones on us during our shift 10 or so years ago we’d be fired immediately.

The reason why I am complaining is that I had a cart full of groceries and I wasn’t sure I wanted to use the self check, but I thought maybe I’d give an actual human person a try. But no. There were two girls on register 11, and they were face down absorbed by their phones. Instead of greeting a potential customer, they opted for their phones.

I noticed other cashiers actually working - cleaning up their register, filling bags, but no they were just leaning there chit chatting playing on their phones and not working.

This is absolutely unacceptable and you really should consider rescinding this policy. After the other issues I’ve had in the past at this store and other locations (as a customer) am not sure I can continue...

Ordered online from here twice.

Both times were an awesome experience. Employees were awesome. They definitely make the experience. Saves a ton of time ordering online. Festival has marked parking spots for pickup, just park in an open spot, and call or text the phone number on the sign.

In my case, I texted and got back a very friendly response immediately.

Employee came right out and offered to load my truck for me, I was surprised by that, and honestly would have been happy with someone pushing a cart out to me and pointing me in the general direction of a cart corral. But she handed me bags that I clumsily put in the back seat.

She then took the cart away and handed me a receipt and a hand written card from the team at Festival. Entirely pleasant person to deal with.

Within minutes I was on the highway home.

Look, this store is like 30 minutes out of my way. We have a grocery store that I like in my own town. But it's not this.

The staff here are clearly the difference. I can buy store brand white bread anywhere, even at chain gas stations now, but I go to Featival in Neenah because the people that work there are the best.

Be aware, there is a $4.95 charge for this service, but Festival gives you the first three for free.

I still don't care. I'll pay $5 a week for this experience. Hell, I wanna tip those folks, but I also don't know what the policy on that is and I don't really want to get anyone in trouble.

Anyways, just go here. If the online experience is this good, I am willing to bet it's just as good in the store.

TL;DR - Don't you want to buy food for your family from a place that has a review that took this...

Thought we don't have a lot of choices, Festival is the clear leader for grocery stores in Neenah. It's basically Festival, Pick N Save and Walmart. And Aldi's, but I consider Aldi's more of a speciality grocery and not on the same level as a full grocery store.

Overall festival does the nice job:

Pros: Good selection Gluten free and speciality diet items Fresh meats and seafood (good quality)

Cons: Pricing is on the high side, sometimes much higher than other stores

Organic produce is somewhat limited and doesn't seem to sell fast enough at this store and isn't always as fresh as one would hope. (I've had to take organic things back twice that we realized were spoiled once we got home, they had no problems refunding, but it's a pain).

Overall I like this store a lot and a lot of the limitations with organic stuff is due to the fact it just doesn't sell well enough in...