Recently I was shopping at the Breadroot Natural Foods Co-op in Rapid City. When I mentioned that I had other stops to make, including Wal-Mart, the response back was a pretty frosty "Wal-Mart?!?!?" All I could really manage back was an apologetic "When I can save $1 per box of some of the natural products I buy, it just doesn't make sense NOT to shop there." I think I even mumbled the latter part and am not sure she even heard me.
Since then I have given it some more thought. I have wondered why I had to feel so guilty for admitting I actually shop there.
Ok, so before you all start sending your hate mail about how could a concerned environmentalist actually stoop to shop at Wal-Mart, let me explain.
I saw PBS Frontline's documentary Is Wal-Mart Good for America? so I know all about how Wal-Mart sources nearly all of its products from China, pays rock-bottom wages here in the US, and maintains one of the largest fleets in the country (contributing to oil addiction and global warming emissions). I also understand that they strong-arm some of their suppliers to reduce prices, forcing them to slash their profit margins, move to cheaper labor markets, or (gasp) say no and lose the gigantic market that Wal-Mart can provide. I am fully aware that all this has caused some of their main "big box" competitors to follow their lead to stay competitive. Yes, I know that the average wage in many parts of the country (particularly former manufacturing areas) has dropped dramatically as retail jobs have replaced union wages. And, yes, the best and most sustainable way to get our food is from our local farmers.
All that said, I still shop at Wal-Mart, and I'm not (too) conflicted about it. Here's why:
- I can't get rid of Wal-Mart. Even if everyone who opposes Wal-Mart's policies refused to shop there, they would still remain in business and still continue to grow.
- I can't afford not to. The products I buy there are on average $1--and often $2 or more--cheaper than the same exact products I would have bought from a health food store or other grocery store. It doesn't make sense even if our family could afford to pay the extra.
- I can send Wal-Mart a message. By going to Wal-Mart and buying the organic and natural, lesser processed food products, I can encourage them to continue stocking these items and expanding the number and types of these they choose to sell. We vote with our dollars and this is the only language big business understands.
- Wal-Mart is taking serious steps towards greening their image. Call it "Greenwashing" if you wish, but due to their sheer size, the efforts they've proposed and taken steps to implement are bound to have some positive impact--or at least lessen their negative impact. Read some excellent details on their greening initiatives here.
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