The Scourge That is Wal-Mart

Here’s some bad news reported in the  New York Times (registration required). Headline is “Wal-Mart Eyes Organic Foods” and outlines Wal-Mart Corp.’s organic food strategy. However, they try to sell it this is probably the worst news ever for the organic movement. Because logic tells us that Wal-Mart has no commitment to safe food. They simply recognize that organic is the fastest growing segment of the food industry. So look forward to “organic Frosted Mini-Wheats” and organics outsourced to China.

Comments

[Samuel John Klein Portlandiensis]

Well, so much for "organic foods".

Anything Wal-Mart merely brushes by, it pollutes; anything it touches, it ruins.

Can't they just leave some stuff alone?

[Phil]

Shouldn't low income people have access to reasonably priced organic food? It doesn't appear that Whole Foods business plan includes locating stores on the other side of the tracks.

[R Blog]

Yep. Those organic Frosted Mini Wheats will improve the health of poor people. My guess is the Wal-mart Industrial non organic food will still be cheaper than Wal-mart Industrial Organic Food. Doubt that bargain hunters will really switch to Wal-mart's version of organic. I will admit to a prejudiced view. I don't shop Wal-mart any more because of their shabby personnel practices, their impact on local economies and their drain on social services because of their underpaid part-time employees. Of course, they are doing quite well without me. Since reading Omnivore's Dilemma I realize that "local" is the new organic. Organic doesn't mean what it did even a couple years ago.

[Phil]

In the spirit of keeping the thread going, I'll, well, keep the threat going. The irony is that probably the same organic growers who supply your local food co-op will also supply Wal-Mart as demand grows. Same produce, different package. Or said another way, same produce, different story. I guess this is where you are going with the local thing.

[R Blog]

A friend has taken over the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program for the Pike Place Market. Buzzword: "'Local'" is the new organic. People who care about what they are eating want to know the people who are raising the animals and vegetables. "Organic" ain't cutting edge anymore. It's "local", and hopefully, organic.