The Great Grocery Smackdown (The Atlantic)
February 22, 2010 by thepranamama
Filed under Featured, Food & Nutrition Links, Food for Thought
“It’s getting harder and harder to hate Wal-mart,” — Michelle Harvey of the Environmental Defense Fund
If you’re a mom who cares about sustainable agriculture and supports local farmers, but worry about blowing the food budget at high-end organic markets like Whole Foods, this article will surprise and delight you!
In the past, I’ve shopped at Wal-mart for a wide variety of things. They are, by far, the cheapest place to buy saline solution, and I usually do well in the toy aisle for kids’ birthdays. I frequent the craft aisle during long, school vacations, and I have been known to pick up hardware, office supplies and occasionally grocery items, like coffee.
But, produce? Never! I snub the front section of my local supercenter and make a special stop at the local produce market for fresher greens, fruits, dairy products and breads.
There are more expensive stores several miles away, with beautiful lighting and an arbor of flowers at the entrance. Just walking in the door is an enticement to drop double or triple my grocery budget on expensive, but gorgeous, foods. In reality, I can’t afford to shop there on any more than an occasional basis, splurging for a special gourmet celebration or picking up a hard-to-find ingredient in a pinch.
According to this article, The Great Grocery Smackdown in The Atlantic, Wal-Mart is now considering how it can work with local farmers and growers to carry their goods and make them available, and affordable, to the average consumer on a budget.
Food for Thought, Indeed! I might just consider browing the produce section next time I speed by on my way to the office supplies aisle…
What do you think? Are you surprised, skeptical or impressed? Do you find it, as Harvey states, “harder and harder to hate Wal-mart?”
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Very interesting. I remember that in the movie Food Inc. it was mentioned what a huge impact Walmart was making for increasing the purchase of organic brands. I am excited to see how the issue of food and sustainability is beginning to get more press and interest. I really have been enlightened recently and am eager to investigate other ways (like growing gardens in public school yards)that we can help foster a better understanding of the importance of fresh, wholesome food and the connection it plays with our physical and mental well being.
Jennifer – Have you checked out all the great work of Slow Food USA and their “Time for Lunch” campaign? I, too, am excited about the initiatives underway to provide more fresh and local food to the school lunch program. Gardens are part of this plan. Great news!
It’s been a while since I’ve been to WalMart! I’ll have to check it out again next time I’m in the area since it may have more than I thought.
Personally, I don’t hate Walmart, I especially use their photo finishing services because they’re so convenient. I just hate their long line-ups at the check out. Which is usually why I don’t go there regularly.