The exact 12-item list promised by this headline cannot be verified from the available reporting. The closest recent coverage names several employee- or former-employee picks, but those lists are not the same article. Here are the products that can be attributed accurately—and what to know about seasonal status, reported prices, and availability.
What employee and former-employee picks are documented?
The Kitchn’s September 2, 2026 roundup reflects one former employee’s recommendations, not a survey or controlled taste test. It praised five products and advised skipping a sixth:
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| Product | What it is | Reported price and size | Former employee’s assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Granola Butter | A spread | $5.49 for 12 ounces | Recommended |
| Italian Mascarpone & Mixed Berries Gelato Style Frozen Dessert | Frozen dessert | $4.99 for 28.74 ounces | Recommended |
| Taco Seasoned Beef Stick | Meat snack | $1.99 for 1.15 ounces | Recommended |
| Nacho Cheese Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips | Rolled corn chips | $2.99 for 9 ounces | Recommended |
| Honey Mustard Popcorn | Flavored popcorn | $2.99 for 5 ounces | Recommended |
| Mandarin Crunch Pasta Salad | Prepared pasta salad | $4.99 for 10.8 ounces | Listed as a skip |
Prices and package sizes are those reported in the September 2, 2026 article; they are not guaranteed current prices. Read The Kitchn’s former-employee roundup for its descriptions and the author’s reasoning.
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A separate September 8, 2026 Kitchn article drew on a September episode of Trader Joe’s Inside Trader Joe’s podcast. The available article text names these picks, but does not establish that they are the missing 12 items in the headline:
#1 Best Overall
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- London Fog Tea: The article describes it as a product that is here to stay.
- Gouda with Walnuts: A return after a few years; the article says it is available only until sold out.
- Apple Pie à la Mode ice cream: Seasonal, expected in stores from September through December 2026 or while supplies lasted. Trader Joe’s product developer Ally described the idea as combining the components of apple pie and the ice cream served on top. This is a seasonal availability window, not a promise that a store still has it.
- Mandarin Crunch Pasta Salad: Also appears in the former-employee list above, where it was a skip; the fall roundup’s inclusion does not establish universal employee agreement.
- Other picks named in the available article text: Organic Reddened Green Leaf Salad Mix, vegan Duchess Potatoes, Organic Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer, Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli, Snowball Pumpkins, and Pumpkin and Spice Caramel Sauce. Their first-launch status and individual availability windows are not established here.
The full list is not established by the available article text, so this is not an exhaustive account of the roundup. See The Kitchn’s fall employee-picks article for its descriptions and context.
What does “new” mean, and will your store have these items?
“New” does not always mean a first-time launch. A catalog updated September 16, 2026, marked 20 products new but cautioned that its badge can include seasonal comebacks and that the date it first recorded a product may not be the date it reached shelves. That catalog is useful for product context, not employee endorsement. Examples it listed include Sliced Rotisserie Seasoned Chicken Breast ($4.99, 7 ounces), Baby Pak Choi ($2.49, 6 ounces), Razor Clams in Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($5.99, 3.91 ounces), Passion Fruit Mini Ice Cream Bars ($3.99 for six bars), Charcuterie Party of One ($3.49, 3 ounces), and Plum Torte ($7.99, 18.77 ounces). These are catalog-reported prices and sizes, not additional employee picks. Check the September catalog roundup; it notes that store prices can differ.
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Availability is store- and item-specific. Trader Joe’s says its Fresh team reviews store reports and talks with crew members about customer feedback; that company statement is about Fresh operations, not a guarantee of distribution for any particular product. The company’s transcript also notes that sushi is available in many locations but not everywhere, illustrating that availability can vary by product and location. Read the company’s Episode 101 transcript.
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For a shopping decision, check your local store for current stock and price, especially for seasonal products and items described as available only while supplies last. The documented recommendations above can help narrow what to look for, but they do not verify a single, complete set of 12 employee picks.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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