The Food Emporium operates about 30 stores in the New York City area. Some shoppers have claimed that food prices are higher at The Food Emporium.
 
The nicknames “Food Extortium” and “Food Extortion” both have been cited in print since at least 2007. The Food Emporium has also been nicknamed “Food Deplorium,” cited in print since at least 2004.
 
 
Wikipedia: The Food Emporium
The Food Emporium is a chain of grocery stores originally part of Shopwell Inc. Acquired in 1986 by The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P), it operates approximately 30 stores in the New York City Metropolitan area, including many stores in Manhattan and stores in Westchester County, New York and Fairfield County, Connecticut. Many of the stores in the New York City boroughs were converted from A&P stores when the parent company decided to re-brand all its NYC stores as The Food Emporium and Waldbaum’s.
 
The stores are well-known throughout the New York area for their “Someone Made a Store Just for Me” radio jingle.
       
Michael Ruhlman
Vinotas
August 22, 2007 at 11:32 pm
It would be nicer if farmers’ markets were cheaper and everyone could eat well. Sadly, it’s not the case (yet), though in the meantime I’ll continue to raid the Union Square Greenmarket and sigh for Paris’ markets…
Still, I’d rather pay for the quality than deal with the crap at the Food Extortium.
     
eG Forums
Vinotas
Posted 09 September 2007 - 07:19 AM
This is actually what I was trying to convey, as most of the eggs I used to buy in NYC were from the Food Extortium downstairs, while when renting places in Europe they’re usually (not always, however) from farmers’ markets.
 
WNYC—The Brian Lehrer Show
Are You Being Gouged?
Monday, September 24, 2007
(...)
COMMENTS
Emily B.
Food Emporium on 1st Ave. and 71st Street
Milk: $1.39
Lettuce: $2.49
Beer: $6.49
Surprised? Yes, I thought the beer would be more. We lovingly refer to this particular FE location as ‘Food Extortion’
Sep. 25 2007 01:06 PM
 
New York (NY) Times
Readers’ Comments
The Lost Supermarket: A Breed in Need of Replenishment
By DAVID GONZALEZ
(...)
SueJax
Hell’s Kitchen
May 5th, 2008
10:33 am
It’s not the disappearing, it’s the non-appearing. Since I moved to 12th Avenue and 42nd Street 8 years ago, the area has experienced a housing construction boom. We have to shlep groceries from the overpriced Food Emporium (a/k/a Food Deplorium or Food Extortion)2-1/2 long blocks away or Stiles Market or the disgusting Big Apple 3 blocks away.
 
Topix
easter bunny
May 13, 2009
the prices in the location’s current store (a&p) are already egregious. their bags say “food emporium” but in our house we refer to that store as “food extortion.” how bad will it be when the store switches to fresh market?
 
Brownstoner
Dave, love the Food Emporium under the 59th St Bridge. The most beautiful supermarket in NY. A veritable Temple of Food.
Of course, when I worked near there, we used to call it “Food Extortion”, it was so expensive. They have a good take out lunch selection, but it ain’t cheap.
By gemini10 on July 21, 2009 4:19 PM
 
Ask MetaFilter
Nickname that store
November 30, 2010 8:53 AM
(...)
Food Emporium is Food Extortium.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:54 AM on November 30, 2010
   
The Data Lounge
And don’t overlook Whole Foods. I know most people think it’s outrageously overpriced, but in comparison to Food Extortion, it’s pretty reasonable, especially on their house (365) brand.
by: Cheap Foodie reply 73 02/03/2011 @ 12:30PM