Corporate "Organic" Food? Is that even possible?
I was just reading Tom Philpott's article in Grist today, and thinking about what lies ahead for consumers. It doesn't look pretty!
Tom's right. Just because large corporations like Whole Foods and WalMart can sell organic food (and hey, not all of the food they sell is going to be "kosher" organic -- you can count on that) -- doesn't make it a good thing. Far from it, in fact.
What looks like the probable outcome of WalMart getting involved will be squeezing local farmers with imported "organic" food from third world countries (and China), which fits their profile and pattern of operations.
When you can buy organic produce at a "box store" like Whole Foods or WalMart for below premium prices, why should you go to your local farmers market and buy it there for more?
Well, there are some very good reasons to do just that.
One, the food that WalMart (in particular) will be bringing in has traveled a long long way from the place it was grown. A lot can happen to it on the way to you -- such as disease organisms, contamination from toxins, exposure to multiple layers of chemicals, and so forth.
Two, the cost of transporting the food from where it was grown to the store, more than offsets any benefits or savings that might be offered. It is still using up valuable petrochemicals in order to get it to your table. That's not sustainable, and probably not healthy either.
Three, the value of eating organically comes from the fresh wholesome qualities of food grown and raised within close distance of where you live.
Sure, if you live in the Northern states of the USA you are not going to find avocados and artichokes growing in your farmers' fields; if you want to eat produce that is not raised in your area you do have to buy what has been transported from afar. But you will still find a wide range of excellent produce, poultry, meats and sometimes fish available locally that can form the basis for healthy eating for you and your family.
Companies like WalMart and (although they would deny it ferociously) even Whole Foods do not necessarily have your personal interests and goals in mind when they set out to offer organic foods. For them, it is a money-making operation -- the more, the better.
I am inclined to continue boycotting WalMart until there is a sea change in their corporate policies that include Fair Trade practices; full benefits for all employees, contractors and subcontractors; and stopping their trademark methods of undercutting the small independent merchants in order to muscle out their desired market share (which usually is right around 100%.)
I love great, organic gourmet food too much to give up my local farmers markets -- and I don't want to see something so critical to our health go down the drain for "big box" profits.
Yours for extraordinary dining -- for everyone,
Nancy
Eating Well Locally Beats Big Box Blues
Tom's right. Just because large corporations like Whole Foods and WalMart can sell organic food (and hey, not all of the food they sell is going to be "kosher" organic -- you can count on that) -- doesn't make it a good thing. Far from it, in fact.
What looks like the probable outcome of WalMart getting involved will be squeezing local farmers with imported "organic" food from third world countries (and China), which fits their profile and pattern of operations.
When you can buy organic produce at a "box store" like Whole Foods or WalMart for below premium prices, why should you go to your local farmers market and buy it there for more?
Well, there are some very good reasons to do just that.
One, the food that WalMart (in particular) will be bringing in has traveled a long long way from the place it was grown. A lot can happen to it on the way to you -- such as disease organisms, contamination from toxins, exposure to multiple layers of chemicals, and so forth.
Two, the cost of transporting the food from where it was grown to the store, more than offsets any benefits or savings that might be offered. It is still using up valuable petrochemicals in order to get it to your table. That's not sustainable, and probably not healthy either.
Three, the value of eating organically comes from the fresh wholesome qualities of food grown and raised within close distance of where you live.
Sure, if you live in the Northern states of the USA you are not going to find avocados and artichokes growing in your farmers' fields; if you want to eat produce that is not raised in your area you do have to buy what has been transported from afar. But you will still find a wide range of excellent produce, poultry, meats and sometimes fish available locally that can form the basis for healthy eating for you and your family.
Companies like WalMart and (although they would deny it ferociously) even Whole Foods do not necessarily have your personal interests and goals in mind when they set out to offer organic foods. For them, it is a money-making operation -- the more, the better.
I am inclined to continue boycotting WalMart until there is a sea change in their corporate policies that include Fair Trade practices; full benefits for all employees, contractors and subcontractors; and stopping their trademark methods of undercutting the small independent merchants in order to muscle out their desired market share (which usually is right around 100%.)
I love great, organic gourmet food too much to give up my local farmers markets -- and I don't want to see something so critical to our health go down the drain for "big box" profits.
Yours for extraordinary dining -- for everyone,
Nancy
Eating Well Locally Beats Big Box Blues
posted by Nancy at 8/25/2006 01:40:00 PM
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