As I walk into a store, a dressing room or a produce aisle, there are a lot of thoughts that run through my mind. There’s the initial feeling of: “these are the things I need”. Leading to: “Oh, that’s on sale, what a great price – should I buy it?” Lastly, me at the cash register, re-evaluating everything in my cart – Do I really need it? I suppose you can say this is to prevent hoarding but it’s almost shameful to myself that I never thought about where it was made, where did it come from, how is the quality and does this brand/company do others good.
If the things we buy have something like a nutrition label for you – would that make you think twice? I currently learned to look at clothes and its make of different materials (this would help determine the quality, worth and durability). Even with such labels as “Made in China” – what does that even tell us? The fact we can’t seem to produce our own goods, that the item is in mass production overseas and probably bought cheap yet sold ridiculously expensive.
It’s almost scary to think that in today’s society we don’t really look past our selfish thoughts and needs. If every item had some tie of stating “10% of sales go to <insert a good deed> or 5% of this sale provides workers the access to crops, would that not change your view on purchases? What about the other way around – 90% of this profit ensures workers are minimally paid and are working 12+ hours a day. I suppose the saying, in hindsight, what we can’t see, can’t hurt us is true. But by being oblivious to such also will lead to an inexplicable reason to why there will be a great divide between the world.
To Ponder on: What thoughts run through your head as you’re walking into a store – seeking for that “item”? Do you ever wonder where it comes from and why does that thought fade away so quickly?
Photo Source: Huffington
ethicallysourced 
What runs through my head is: why is the ownness on consumers to be diligent about the products’ themselves? Effectively, food producers are our caregivers, and we trust that our health and best interest are in their business model – when we can safely assume they are not.
How is it that in the same produce section we can have non-organic foods alongside organic ones – why not just organic? Obviously economic models and inputs drive the last point, yet it is odd, no?
Theses questions seem to be relevant only above a certain purchasing power point. For example, with only $10 to spend for dinner, the choice between eating organic beef vs. Mcdonald’s becomes quite clear, especially for a family of 4.
Great food for thought! (pun not intended)
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I believe that both the consumer and company does have a role to play. Although the whole “ownness” on consumers – I feel as if we brought that upon ourselves to want to have the choice to make our own decisions. Sure – companies take advantage of that also but we perhaps trust them too much at the same time? It’s definitely a fickle world out there – seems like things could be done so much simplier but the business world and world of marketing is what makes it intriguing too. I agree with your comment though regarding the purchasing power – it can only be done for families who are able to already sustain themselves compared to those who are struggling to feed their families. One solution doesn’t apply to all but one can hope that we will reach that level one day.
Thanks for the comment and insights also!
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As a bargain hunter whenever I do come across an incredible deal I often think “how can it possibly be produced for so little?” If a child’s backpack purchase price is $4 (that’s not a sale price), how much is the person actually making the backpack getting paid?! Well written blog. I like the link to reading a clothing label as one would a nutrition label to help make more informed purchases.
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