In the world of supermarket shopping, there's a certain thrill that comes with finding a good deal or an unexpected bonus. But for many Australian shoppers, particularly those of us who have seen a few more summers, a growing trend has been causing more disappointment than delight. It's the curious case of the half-empty packaging – or as some might call it, the 'air chips' phenomenon.


We've all been there, haven't we? You pick up a bag of your favourite crisps or biscuits, only to open it and find that it's more air than snack. It's a frustration that's become all too common, with many consumers feeling short-changed as they peer into the cavernous void of an oversized bag that's barely half-filled. We're told that the air acts as a cushion to protect the contents from getting crushed, but one can't help but wonder if it really needs to be quite so much.


However, in a delightful twist of fate, an Aussie mum shopping at ALDI experienced what can only be described as a snack-sized miracle. Taking to the ALDI Mums Facebook page, she shared her unusual find with a post exclaiming, 'Feel like I hit the jackpot!' Accompanying her post were images of a packet of Hundreds and Thousands Teddy Tots that was filled to the brim, tipping the scales at a generous 75g at home – a rare sight indeed in today's world of ever-shrinking product sizes.


The reaction from fellow shoppers was a mix of elation and envy. Comments ranged from celebratory cheers of 'Nice one!!!' to wistful laments from those who had received less fortunate packets. 'I'll take four packets I'm missing, please,' joked one shopper, while another added, 'I've had heaps of empties before.' It seems that for every overfilled packet, there might be several others out there feeling a little deflated.

But this isn't just an isolated incident. As it turns out, this shopper's good fortune is part of a more common occurrence than one might expect. Other commenters chimed in with their own tales of unexpectedly generous bags, suggesting that perhaps there's a silver lining to the cloud of the 'air chips' trend. 'Every now and then, we get a bag that's overfull as well. It's becoming a common thing, they're the ones I share with my little one!' shared one commenter.

The conversation didn't stop at Teddy Tots. Other shoppers shared their experiences with different products, like the cheese and spinach triangles that consistently contain more than the promised dozen. 'I would feel ripped off if I only got 12 now hahaha,' one shopper quipped.


So, what does this all mean for us, the savvy seniors of the shopping world? It's a reminder that while we may not always get what we expect from our supermarket purchases, there's still a chance for a pleasant surprise. It's also a call to be vigilant and to hold manufacturers accountable for the quantities they promise. After all, we deserve to get our money's worth, whether it's through a bag of chips or any other product.

And let's not forget the joy of sharing those rare, overfilled bags with our loved ones. It's these small moments of unexpected generosity that can bring a smile to our faces, even if it's just over a packet of biscuits.
We'd love to hear from you, our dear members. Have you ever experienced the 'air chips' phenomenon? Or perhaps you've been lucky enough to find an overfilled package in your shopping? Share your stories in the comments below, and let's find out if this trend is as widespread as it seems!