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zaneypants-blog · 7 years

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Eating

So I have this little idea.

Since we all know big ideas have to begin somewhere this is the start of my big idea.

I am passionate about getting people access to food that is actually good for them. That is nutrient rich, provides for the body, regenerates the cells, and is socially responsibly procured.

We live a life of great abundance and there is no place where that abundance is squandered more than the large grocery stores. Those old models are tired. They are outdated, limited, and the corporate structure is a really terrible place to stand true to those standards they love to print on their t-shirts.

No, I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feeling or insult your favorite grocer but the cat needs desperately out the bag, that kitty apparently has to poo-poo on the current grocery system.

They are doing it all wrong- every single one of them to one degree or another.

It stands to reason that we would think to ourselves, “But I LOVE my _______ ::insert hyote tyote top of the line grocer:: they couldn’t possibly fall into this category of wasteful, corporate, imagination dimming, irresponsible sourcing, market and image twisting mogul that’s being described!”

Sorry, even the ones we love have some sad pitfalls. That’s just the industry of big mass food distribution.

Here are some things to think about when considering those large mass distribution grocers:

1. WASTE

So much waste.

A great majority of bigger, greener grocers are trending on composting and recycling plans, and even better yet California state law removed donation liability from the donor and placed it on the venue the donation is served. This freed up the grocer to now donate many of the foods they would have otherwise been forced to throw into the trash.

Those efforts are fantastic and we applaud their efforts. However, the truth is that still thousands of dollars a day and hundreds of pounds of food are thrown into the trash daily. That slightly dented can, that bottle with the label torn just a bit- trash. The food that is served on all those beautiful hot bars, salad bars, taco bars, self serve pizza stations, all goes straight into the trash.

It’s not just the incredible waste in foods, everything from the consumption of paper products, to the continual use of energy to keep all those cold foods cold in those cases that have no doors the old grocer is continually wasting resources.

2. Your food is not as organic as you think.

Yes, most of the time, organic means organic. Except when it doesn’t. And there’s little clauses built into the old model of grocery store that allows them to substitute non-organic products as long as they don’t misrepresent.

And yet sometimes, that little signage just doesn’t get changed.

If you’ve eaten jicama in August, it’s almost guaranteed that those tasty, crunchy treats weren’t organic.

3. “Shop Local”

Yaaaaas!

“We LOVE local, like omg, we’re progressive Californians, and we are responsible. That’s what we do, right?! We drink kale smoothies, eat farm raised chickens, and buy local.

Sorry to tell you kale loving, yogis but your old grocer doesn’t feel the same. The fact of the matter is seasons effect the availability of products and procurement and profit trump local source availability so sometimes the foods you buy are from anywhere near the area they were made or grown.

Buyers are looking for the cheapest way to bring you the products you want because they know you’ll buy them and that makes them money. They aren’t going to go out of stock on avocados because the ones here are out of season. Guess what, bae, your avocados are from Equador* anytime after September. Don’t even ask me where your kiwi’s come from, cuz it isn’t Temecula.

This happens all year long. It also ebbs and flows depending on the season.

4. Corporate Mentality

Except Trader Joe’s, we love them. Go TJ’s! Their workers are great people, who seem to overall have a great work environment. Kudos.

The sad fact is these old tired models of food distribution, even the newer up and coming ones, are unfortunately being sucked into the same trap of needing rules, regulations, restrictions and boxes in a misguided effort to control the consistency of the business.

Their workers are just worker bee’s, a number, replaceable and a tool to accomplish the goal- sell food. Sell it expensive. But hey, it’s Organic.

The data* is trending to show more and more, people want to work for a cause not a corporation. They want to feel useful, respected, supported and encouraged. Today’s worker isn’t there to punch a clock, or move mindlessly through their day. They are hungry for engagement, appreciation, and the true belief in the company.

....and number

5. You’re eating leftovers.

All those pre-made, ready to go, convenient foods you OC’ers like so much... yup all leftovers.

The food is made hot initially, then cooled within the health department standards of 2 hours and then it sits and waits to either be packed into a see through togo container, where it sits again for you buy it OR gets reheated for those hot bars y’all love so much, till you to put in your very own little recyclable lunch container.

It’s fresh mostly. It’s tasty enough. But it’s all big batch cooking, and essentially leftovers.

#reallysorryaboutthatone

It’s time to change the way our food is grown, procured, and consumed. Our health, the health of our nation is evidence enough that there’s clearly a need. Small urban farms are popping up all over the nation at incredible rates.

I would like to take those local small farms and provide a space for them to get their products to the community. This is an idea motivated by a need, and will materialize into gifts of nutrition, commonality, community, health, spreading the wealth and neighbors taking care of neighbors...

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