Sometimes generic just won’t cut it. 

For instance, a News Channel 11 viewer from Southwest Virginia recently told me no other mayonnaise will do in her household.  It’s Hellmann’s, hands down.

In a survey of the WJHL newsroom Good Friday afternoon, (yes, when the NCAA tournament was hogging all of our air time, and I wasn’t busy watching because WVU played the night before) I found there’s at least one thing most of us won’t compromise on just to save money. 

That comes with one exception.  One manager said, “I’m the cheapest man in the world. I can’t think of anything I wouldn’t buy the generic of....” I should’ve asked his wife.

StarKist Tuna is the only way to go for one of our reporters.  Anything else must be too fishy.

One producer gave me a list as long as her arm.  There’s no skimping on everything from mayo to soup.  Her “must haves” include Kraft Mayonnaise, Heinz Ketchup, A1 Steak Sauce, StarKist Tuna, Cap’n Crunch Cereal, Tyson frozen chicken, Diet Coke, and Campbell’s Soup. 

The tuna of choice for another producer?  StarKist.  But, that’s not all.  She prefers Pepsi and Pepsi only.  You won’t be disappointed if you ask to use her wash room either.  She runs a “Charmin only” household.  NILLA wafers and only name brand cereals are in her pantry.

There must be something about that popular breakfast food.  Another reporter told me “Any kind of generic cereal is banned from (his) diet!!”

My best friend once made fun of me during our college days when I bought something that was named like “buttery butter”.  It was so ridiculous, and cheap, I can’t remember the name.  I’ve opted for fewer generic items these days partly because I’m only slightly as poor as I once was.  But, I’m a big fan of Miracle Whip.  And, Kool-Aid can’t be replaced with anything else.  I could think of more, but you get the idea.

So, all of that to get to this:  HAVE YOUR NAME BRAND KITCHEN STAPLES CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?  I hear Hellmann’s isn’t the same as it used to be in color, texture and taste.  I haven’t noticed a difference in Miracle Whip over the last two decades or so.  And, my newsroom friends say their favorite products are the same, too.  Tell me about your “must haves”, and reflect a little on what it used to be and what it is now.