Ontario's newest mega-supermarket is already taking flak from shoppers

Food World Plus, Ontario's newest multicultural supermarket and the biggest of its kind in the Greater Toronto Area, seems to be getting a lacklustre reception from shoppers.

The grocery store, which boasts an array of cultural food and beverage offerings from around the world, held its grand opening late last month and drew eager customers looking to explore its selection.

However, according to netizens, some shoppers left disappointed after finding rotten produce, half-empty shelves, and hefty price tags. Many are even comparing the new store to Highland Farms, the fresh produce market that previously occupied the space before closing in late 2025.

"I miss Highland Farms terribly. This new place can't match the quality of the produce," someone wrote in the comments section of an Instagram reel on Food World Plus.

"Sorry, the produce was all rotten,” another chimed in about fresh fruits and vegetables.

Beyond complaints about produce quality and limited selection, pricing and inexperienced staff have also allegedly been an issue at the newly opened supermarket, which occupies a whopping 176,000 square feet of prime real estate in the city.

"Not really impressed. Half the price tags are missing; meat is overpriced, and a lot of items cost more than elsewhere. I don't think I need to go back," a recent shopper commented on a separate reel.

Another offered a more detailed account of their experience at Food World Plus: "The vegetables and fruits did not look that fresh. Half the items were overpriced. To top it all, at the [register], the cashier didn’t know what she was doing. I had a few items, and the bill showed $144 when it should have been $45," they said.

The customer went on to explain that although the team managed to rectify the bill, there was a discrepancy between the shelf prices and the till: "Some items' prices on the shelf were lower, and at the till they were $3-4 more." 

If the online chatter is anything to go by, Food World Plus has also retained Highland Farms' exact layout, giving grocery-goers even more reason to compare the two supermarkets.

While Food World Plus hasn't earned rave reviews, some are encouraging the public to give it another chance.

"Opening day problems for sure. They will improve as time goes by," another shopper said on a Reddit thread dedicated to the ethnic one-stop-shop.  

"First impressions are that their potential to grow is there. They just opened, so they probably have many things to work through. For example, a lot of the prices didn't make sense; some were just barcodes without a price. It took a while to cash out because many of them are new. But again, those things will take time," a forgiving visitor came to its defence.  

Despite the disappointing first impressions reported by some shoppers, the supermarket may still have an opportunity to establish itself as a go-to destination for ethnic grocery items in the city.

Food World Plus owners were unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

The supermarket is located at 50 Matheson Blvd. E. in Mississauga.