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Oh, Wal-Mart! You’re So Sweet!

Karen · 11 Comments

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My friend Chris posted this link to an Associated Press news article on Facebook this morning. The article makes it sound and look like Wal-Mart really has our best interests at heart. And because Michelle Obama lent her support to their efforts, well, then, Wal-Mart must love us all, right?

I think the real reason they are doing this “smoke and mirrors” trick is stated near the end of the article. All they want is to get into more markets:

“Less clear is whether the food initiative will help Wal-Mart persuade reluctant cities to let it expand. Wal-Mart executives have noted that city officials have seemed more willing in recent months as they look for ways to create jobs.”

And in this part of the story, I read it as “cutting jobs” because that is where corporate America goes first when they try to reduce their bottom line:

“Besides the changes to its products, Wal-Mart said it would reduce prices on fruits and vegetables by $1 billion a year by attempting to cut unnecessary costs from the supply chain.”

If you have ever shopped in Wal-Mart, you have seen the size of all their fruits and vegetables. They have the BIGGEST onions, apples, and carrots I have ever seen in a produce section. I don’t buy my produce there if I have an option of another store to go to. So, yeah, while they might have the lowest price per pound, you come out the other end of the check out line having spent more money. If your cabbage is only 25 cents a pound, but the smallest one they have is 14 pounds, you’re gonna go home with a $3.50 cabbage when you only needed 50 cents worth. THAT is not in the best interests of the customer, in my opinion.

Oh, and they are going to reduce the cost of healthier foods for us too:

“The company also said it would work to reduce prices on healthier items made with more expensive ingredients:”Our customers often ask us why whole wheat pasta sometimes costs more than regular pasta made by the same manufacturer,” said Andrea Thomas, Wal-Mart’s senior vice president of sustainability.”

I have found that whenever a product is labeled “gluten free” it tends to be priced higher than a similar product that is exactly the same but does not have GF on the label. I have often wondered how NOT putting something in a product can cause it to cost MORE? whether it is reduced sodium, no MSG, or wheat free, it usually means higher price.

The article talks about how Wal-Mart is planning to cut sodium and added sugars in their products, as if they are they are leading the industry in this effort:

“Wal-Mart said it plans to reduce sodium by a quarter and cut added sugars in some of its store-brand products by 2015. It also plans to remove remaining industrially produced trans fats and develop a logo for products that meet its criteria for health.”

But I found this article by the American Heart Association, that says:

“The American Heart Association is working with federal agencies to identify strategies to reduce the amount of sodium in the food supply.  The association is encouraging food manufacturers and restaurants to reduce the amount of sodium in foods by 50 percent over a 10-year period. Over the next three years, the association will focus on helping Americans lower the amount of sodium they consume via three strategies”


That makes me think that Wal-Mart is just trying to make us think it loves us. It is laughable to think they want to cut sodium by 25% when most processed foods have 300% too much in them. “Healthier” does not always mean “Healthy”.

And, it may just be because I am diabetic and gluten intolerant, butI think if they would take sugar and wheat out of products where they aren’t needed, they would be taking a huge step in the right direction towards helping us all be more healthy. Since I started eating a gluten free diet in 2007, my blood sugar has been kept in better control, and my intake of sugar and salt has been drastically reduced, simply because I can no longer eat products that contain wheat. I am not able to use prepared, processed foods as much, and I cook more fruits, vegetables and plain, non-breaded meats and fish. When I do make cook something that is battered or breaded, and that is not often, I prepare it myself using gluten free ingredients.

I do not for a second believe that Wal-Mart has the health of their shoppers in mind–they are all about the bottom line.  Sorry. Wal-Mart, but I don’t think you love us all that much.
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Filed Under: General Tagged With: rant

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Comments

  1. roe says

    January 21, 2011 at 8:44 am

    fun friday follower
    http://hugatreewithme2.blogspot.com

    Reply
  2. Cheryl says

    January 21, 2011 at 9:26 am

    Amen sister!!!

    Reply
    • Fab Grandma says

      January 22, 2011 at 2:03 pm

      Cheryl, Chris really got me wound up today!

      Reply
  3. hippie_mom says

    January 21, 2011 at 10:22 am

    new follower thanks to fun follower friday: Walmart can be so sneaky

    Reply
  4. geogypsy says

    January 21, 2011 at 11:03 am

    It’s all about the bottom line, not the customer in line.

    Reply
    • Fab Grandma says

      January 22, 2011 at 2:04 pm

      Geogypsy, that is what I think, too! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  5. diane says

    January 21, 2011 at 11:08 am

    Im not a big fan of walmart either. Sometimes, I have no choice but if I can go anywhere else, I do!

    Following along from the Friday Follow! Hope you csn stop by and follow back! Have a great weekend!

    Diane
    http://www.turning-the-clock-back.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Fab Grandma says

      January 22, 2011 at 2:06 pm

      Diane, thanks for coming by. I put off going to Wal-Mart as long as I can, and really wish there were other places to go, but the reality is that when Wal-Mart comes in, they kill off local businesses so sometimes you really don’t have a choice of where to go.

      Reply
  6. Marge Davies says

    January 21, 2011 at 7:41 pm

    And what does Michelle Obama support. Stopping obesity in the United States.
    Marge

    Reply
    • Fab Grandma says

      January 22, 2011 at 2:07 pm

      I feel like that is why she was mentioned in this article–because of her campaign against obesity, but I really doubt Wal-Mart has anyone’s best interests at heart–they only care about their bottom line.

      Reply
  7. WV Stitcher says

    January 22, 2011 at 9:20 pm

    I am your newest follower. I think Walmart is very sneaky when it comes to their prices. I have 5 different Walmarts within a 30 mile radius of me, and I have noticed that their prices vary by area. It also bugs me that post a price but when you check out you are charged a different price. If you bring it to their attention they adjust it, but it is never changed in the system.After all that I do hope you will check out my blog at kittycrochettwo.blogspot.com!

    Have a great Sunday!

    Reply

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