A first look at Target's new grocery section

"It's not Harrods Food Hall," said Jennie Cane, South Orange resident and longtime Londoner, as she surveyed Target's new grocery area, "but it's convenient to pick up some fruit and juice with the diapers and wipes."

Target, on Springfield Avenue in Union, draws many South Orange and Maplewood shoppers for the few items we can't get easily in town. The store renovated to include a grocery section, adding produce and fresh meats to the stock of dry goods already on the shelves. 

Many items, such as the refrigerated pizza, iced cookies, and shredded cheese in Cane's cart, are Target's own brand. Produce, such as apples and bananas, are sold by the piece, since checkouts don't have scales. 

Would Cane buy groceries at Target again? 

"Very likely," she said. With two young children, her shopping list includes many baby needs and she shops frequently. "I buy a small variety of foods, over and over," she said. "I'd like to say that the cookies I bought today aren't on my usual list, but who's kidding?"