Actually, it would be ironic if you called me a snob since that is what you are considered if you shop at my favorite grocery store. Their prices are slightly higher at times, but they carry a wide selection of products, both local and international. They are continually introducing new recipes and tastes from around the world, sourcing out healthy ways to eat and encouraging their customers to try new things. Their flyers are more about the recipes than their low prices. I am always able to find what I want there without difficulty, except for Mom's favorite brand of mince pie filling. I supplement my shopping with a trip to the local farmers market. I try to support the local farmers; it is good for the economy. I also like knowing who grew the food I eat, how they grew it and when it was picked. Lately, you can't beat the apples for taste or the prices. During the summer, I was able to get bushels of green beans to freeze for the winter and each trip included some of the best tomatoes I have ever eaten. The only tomatoes that have been better have been ones that I have grown.
But many people shop at WalMart for their groceries and there was a time that I did also. An avid coupon clipper, I would arrive at the WalMart, purchase prepackaged foods and save a lot of money each week between the prices and the coupons. While there, I could pick up a new shirt, shoes for the girls and the latest video. True one-stop shopping at its best. But then I started paying attention. According to Frontline, over 80% of WalMart's 6000 global suppliers are in China. This means that many of the suppliers for its food are in China. Every time I spend money at WalMart, it buys more stuff from China, not the US. Not only am I not helping the local economy, I'm not even helping my federal economy. I'm helping China to get rich. There are enough people here in the States that need my help. As rude as it may sound, let the Chinese take care of themselves.
Beyond that, because WalMart is such a large corporation, it thinks that it can affect legislation and it does. It is lobbying against Country of Origin labeling on food. That means that if you purchase a bag of spinach, you don't have to know from where it came. If there is a recall on Mexican spinach because of salmonella poisoning, the bag of spinach in your fridge doesn't have to say "Grown in Mexico". You might end up eating tainted spinach, but that's okay. WalMart sells over-the-counter medication and prescriptions for your upset stomach. They also skirt the law when it comes to fair practices in hiring and wages and healthcare. In short, they don't want to spend money on or for their employees, don't want to be open about where they get their food and support the Chinese more than the US.
And they continue to worm their way into the society. Just the other day, I heard about a pyramid scheme that involved getting groceries delivered from WalMart, or you could pick them up, prebagged, at the store.
Today, I will be avoiding WalMart. I will be browsing the farmers market on this warm, sunny fall day, talking with the former principal who now helps sell apples at the family stand. I'm going today because the baker will be there with fresh bread and a friend selling freshly brewed coffee. I'll then journey to my favorite grocery store for the ingredients for a delicious homemade risotto and maybe a stew, all of which will taste better knowing I've done something good for the local economy.
