The owner, managers, and staff of Fine Fare Supermarket in Throggs Neck got an unexpected visit from a Fox 5 news crew and Senator Jeff Klein on Friday, October 30.
The supermarket was singled out as an example of a clean food store, and its owner said it has never failed a state inspection. According to Senator Klein, this is rare, because many supermarkets in both poverty-stricken and more affluent sections of the city have problems with cleanliness – ranging from improper heating of food to roaches and rats.
Klein was joined at the store, located at 3680 E. Tremont Avenue, by Fox 5 News reporter Donna Sweeney and a cameraman. Sweeney interviewed Klein and spoke with several customers on camera about the store and its cleanliness.
“We have never failed a state inspection [for sanitary reasons]” said Fine Fare owner Miguel Luna. “We post a certificate near the entrance to the store, because whenever we are inspected, we are supposed to do so. That certificate shows that the store passed inspection. I am happy that Fox 5 considers my store an example of cleanliness.”
About half of all supermarkets in New York State fail to pass inspection at one time or another, Luna stated.
Luna said that aside from all-important cleanliness, he has also installed a new window display that blocks the sun for customers inside the store who are waiting on checkout lines, and provides classy scenery of fresh produce for those outside on E. Tremont Avenue.
