Saturday, July 25, 2015

INCIDENT TWO

I have two supermarkets  I shop at to get my groceries. One is close to home the other is 5-8 miles from my house. I usually go once a week to pick up my organic produce for juicing. 
I purchase, carrots, celery, beets, radishes, apples (USA only) and whatever else seems good to add to the blend. 
The organic USA apples are $2.99 a lb usually. This day there was a bag of apples on sale with a sign that said USA Grown. I put one bag in my cart and on the other corner of the display a different type apple in a bag, same sign. As I was turning the bags to see what type apple it said From Chile. I looked at the other bag, same thing. They were on a display counter in front of a sign that said USA grown. I saw the produce manager and mentioned I almost purchased them. I didn't want to pay $7.99 a bag for Apples grown in Chile. (I really don't understand why we export our apples that are regulated by the FDA and import their apples that may not have the same inspection process. When exporting both have to travel in containers/ships with who knows what kind of chemical exposure). 
Why don't we just eat our own produce? I understand seasons and have learned to make my purchases seasonally but some things are available here and exported. Why is that? 
I don't understand, but suspect it has to do with profit margins. Are we sacrificing the health of our citizens to make a profit? The people at the top can afford to buy local or have their own organic gardens. Many people that are just getting by settle for what is available.
The produce manager said he would take care of it and seemed genuinely concerned. The following week, I attempt to purchase more apples. Sign says grown in USA. Once again the apples are from Chile. This got my ire up. Now I am feeling  manipulated. I wonder how many people purchased them thinking they were USA apples.  So I turned to get some of the loose apples which are usually from the  USA like the sign says. I pick up one, Chile! What the heck??? 
This time I speak to the store manager about it. The following week the produce manager says please talk to me before you talk to the store manager. I look at him stunned, I did,TWICE! Nothing had changed. 
It may sound a petty thing to get upset over, but my health is important to me and I drive a bit longer to go to this store to pay a bit more so I can nourish my body with healthy food. 

Will keep you informed as to my next visit and the apples. 
Your supermarket vigilante :-)

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