Grocery Shopper Cuts Off Broccoli Stems In Store To Save Money

The term “Broccoligate 2022” has exploded on TikTok, thanks to Meia Carter [pictured]. The grocery store shopper is making waves for revealing she doesn’t pay for the part of broccoli she doesn’t eat. Her video, which detailed how she leaves broccoli stems at a store, has earned over 5 million views, and everyone who watches it has an opinion.

Notably, the Florida-based snapped off the stalks of the broccoli and tossed them back into the pile of veggies, saying: “I am not paying for these, so I just pull them off and throw them away. I am only going to pay for what I am going to eat.” 

According to Meia, she learned of the shopping trick from her grandma. 

@mimicarter81

Snip snip

♬ original sound – The CARTERS est 2001(Meia)

In a follow-up video, the 41-year-old demonstrated how she removes the stems from her broccoli. 

Meia explained that if the stems are long enough, she likes to break them off, but if they are shorter, she will pull out a pocket knife and cut off the parts she wants to remove. She added: “I just leave these in the store. Y’all can have it. I don’t need it. I wash my hands of it.” So far, critics have been left unimpressed, with many calling her a cheapskate. 

@mimicarter81

♬ original sound – The CARTERS est 2001(Meia)

Meia is heavily mocked for her money-saving strategy, with one writing: “Do that a few times and you can afford a house!” 

Another joked: “This is why I always peel my potatoes at the grocery store,” “POV, you just saved,” said a third. 7 cents.” Some people argued that the stalk was the best part and offered her recipes to try. But with all the cruel remarks she received, a few hailed her a genius and admitted they couldn’t wait to try it out for themselves. 

Others claimed it was disrespectful for Meia to toss the stems back into the pile, but a grocery picker insisted it was no big deal 

The person responded: “We really don’t mind!” Someone else will want them for soup, or they will get thrown in the compactor.” The comments went on, with one person vowing to do the hack henceforth while another commented: “Wait, is this allowed?” “I’m all in!” However, Meia has hit back at the trolls who asked her to just buy broccoli crowns by showing that the broccoli in question came from a pile that was labeled as broccoli crowns.

“Shut ya mouth,” she wrote in the caption of her response video. 

@mimicarter81 Shut ya mouth@mimicarter81 @mimicarter81 ♬ HANDSOMER – Russ