Comments on: Walmart and the unsustainable Thanksgiving

By: inadvertentgardener

inadvertentgardener — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:25:32 +0000

Fatemeh, that’s an excellent, excellent point — societies that don’t value cheapest/easiest/most disposable don’t give rise to this type of economic powerhouse. It’s a huge challenge to overcome…and I hope that we rise to the challenge before we are forced to…or before it destroys us.

By: Fatemeh

Fatemeh — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:35:30 +0000

First let me say that I so respect your transparency, and I agree with you wholeheartedly.

This is not merely a question of food any longer; it’s a question of societal values. If we were not a culture that valued “cheapest, easiest, and most disposable” above all else, we would not have given Walmart the power to be what they are.

The coasts (and a handful of cities in between) don’t support Walmart’s business practices on principal. But let’s be honest: our day laborers, our housekeepers, gardeners, and childcare providers sure do.

Walmart will continue to thrive because Americans are a lazy lot. Because we believe that we should be able to get what we want, when we want it, and for the lowest possible price. And therein lies the greatest challenge we face as a nation.

By: inadvertentgardener

inadvertentgardener — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:27:18 +0000

Chiot’s Run, suffice it to say I think Food Inc. should be required viewing for everyone in this country. REQUIRED. Only when people become more aware of nutrition and what is going into the food they eat will we see change.

Val, I do realize you guys are a bit hamstrung by the seasonal swing up your way! I had an interesting thought about Walmart in Canada, though — they don’t have to worry about healthcare costs, because those are absorbed by the national system. So I assume they eliminate one of the business practices they foster here, which is keeping people working part-time with no health benefits. Hmm.

our friend Ben, I agree — throwing stones is not a good idea. But yes — I think creating opportunities for people to think about and discuss these issues is really important. It’s the only way to effect change, in lieu of a government that will stop favoring industrial food producers…

By: our friend Ben

our friend Ben — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:08:42 +0000

Great post, Genie! I have never been in a Wal-Mart, could never imagine supporting a Wal-Mart when I could be spending my money at a local farm stand or farmers’ market or CSA. And yet, how dare I sit around throwing stones at those who don’t have the luxury of choosing? I think about that every time I read about international outrage over a poor village that killed a tiger who was eating their cattle. Who are we to judge, living in comparative ease and luxury as we do? Food for thought for sure.

By: Bellini Valli

Bellini Valli — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:30:21 +0000

I am a locavore when I can be. Living in Canada we do have Super WalMart where you can go for one stop shopping but we also have Canadian Superstore, which is a branch of Loblaws, that I am assuming would carry more local and Canadian items. For local ingredients in season I support the smaller grocers and our farmers markets, as I am sure everyone does, but this is seasonal until I move to California:D I make a consumers choice never to set foot into WalMart which as a Canadian would not be supporting our economy except by hiring our workers. It is a tough call as I know many shop there. How else it would it have been around for so long ..and the parking lot is always full. I agree that we need to support our local producers when we can which will allow for a stronger sense of community.

By: Chiot's Run

Chiot's Run — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:03:24 +0000

I completely agree. I find it odd however that people complain about the costs of things like the price of turkey and yet feel no pain in spending $1.50 for a soda that lasts for a few minutes and offers no nutritional value. Part of the problem is the industrialized food problem and government subsidies of big-ag, but until we as a society actually value food as nourishment I don’t believe things will change. We seem ok spending $50/month on cell phones or cable TV, but gawk at paying more than $3/lb for meat that we eat and that sustains us.

I was thinking about this in bed this morning. Someone was commenting to me the other day that “_______” organic market had organic turkeys for $1.50 a pound, “what a deal they” exclaimed, “I can’t believe they’re so cheap for ORGANIC!”. I had just told them I got a pastured turkey from my local farm (I paid $3.50/lb for it).

I said, “Well, It’s not about the price it’s about buying healthy, local, sustainable food. Those turkeys aren’t pastured and they’re not raised by a local farmer”. I pay my local farmer more because I value knowing where my food comes from, I want to know how it’s raised, and I want to invest in my local economy to keep Americans employed.” Strange because this person is more than willing to spend money on pretlzes and chicken nuggets which cost more per/lb than a locally raised turkey and you get less nutritional value from it. If you count the stock and soup you’ll get from the bones it really is a value. If we would focus on the nutritionally value of food instead of the price overall, we’d realize healthy local foods are actually cheaper.

Kind of like the guy in Food,Inc. He complained about paying $1.49/lb for broccoli, but didn’t flinch at paying $1.50 for a soda at the drive-through. I guarantee $1.50 spent on broccoli goes much farther and nourishes more people than $1.50 of soda.