Kroger has responded after receiving significant backlash over a TikToker’s criticism of their underwhelming Juneteenth desserts at an Atlanta store. A viral video exposed cakes and cookies with questionable designs and phrases, such as “Free @ Last” and “Free.” The deserts sparked an outrage on social media, prompting Kroger to respond and make some swift changes. Here’s the lowdown…
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How The Controversy Came About
On Wednesday, June 18, a TikToker by the name of @blaq.monalisa set the internet ablaze after sharing a video showing Kroger’s Juneteenth desserts at a store in Atlanta, Georgia. She zoomed right in on the cake area, revealing some questionable deserts that were put on display.
One cake had frosting only around the edges with the words “Free @ Last” scribbled in the middle. Another had “June 19 Free” written on it, while a third was simply decorated with whipped cream on the edges, with “Free” in the center.
The TikToker compared the Juneteenth items with the regular cakes across the aisle, which she thought looked far more polished and appealing. The TIktoker also questioned why the Juneteenth desserts, meant to celebrate the holiday, seemed to lack effort. “This is some bulls**t. Who the h*** made this ugly a** s**t.” the Tiktoker says in the clip. “I wish there was a manager here, y’all decorate everything else around here cute. But on Juneteenth you want to throw something on a cookie cake and expect someone to buy it.”
@blaq.monalisa
Kroger count your days. Why even bother if you’re going to lack creativity. This is Kroger on Howell mill rd, Atlanta Ga. This is a mockery! Am I tripping, someone let me know!
♬ original sound – blaq monalisa
Here’s How Social Media Reacted
The video lit up the internet, with a bunch of folks on social media backing the TikToker’s take and calling out Kroger for the display. Peep some of the reactions below in the comment section of her post below…
@lil_nicki.xx wrote, “It’s giving ‘here damn’ 💀”
@rougarou451 wrote, “its just never good enough with these people 💀 ever”
@user981740 wrote, “as a ex cake decorator… they did that on purpose.”
@quartz_air3 wrote, “The singular “FREE” not even in cute writing. WILDDD”
@impgod4 wrote, “I wud’ve took the one that said FREE & walk rite out the door 😂”
@yoshiiiyoshiii wrote, “It’s giving 2022 Walmart’s Juneteenth ‘It’s the Freedom for Me’ paper plates. 😩”
@doddlemom1960 wrote, “I agree with that it is unacceptable, they need to be held accountable for that, Kroger should be ashamed!!!”
_raeondabeat shared, “I am HOLLERING 😂😂😂😂 not free @ last”
Kroger Responds To The Online Backlash
Kroger didn’t waste time addressing the criticism thrown their way. In a statement to PEOPLE, the company admitted the desserts were out of pocket. Additionally, Kroger agreed to have them removed as soon as possible. The grocery chain confirmed they pulled the products from the shelves and reached out to the store teams and the TikToker directly to address the issue.
“The cakes and cookies that were featured in the video were inconsistent with our provided guidance and not of the quality we would expect to see from our stores,” they said.
The TikToker Returned With An Update
Tiktoker @blaq.monalisa wasn’t done spilling the tea, though. The day after her video went viral, she returned to the same Kroger and noticed a big change. The Juneteenth cakes? Gone. The Juneteenth cookies? Also gone. “They removed the cookie cakes, or I guess someone purchased them!” she captioned her follow-up post. While she was still slightly side-eyeing the store for not replacing the cakes with better options, she still gave the store props for stepping up their game and offering some better dessert options.
@blaq.monalisa
Went back to Kroger, Howell mill rd, Atlanta Ga. They removed the cookie cakes, or I guess someone purchased them!
♬ original sound – blaq monalisa
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What Do You Think Roomies?
