So I'm sure you've read all the blogs bashing Walmart but what about their nutrition? What does Walmart bring to our table as far as Nutrition goes? I'd like to shed some light on the subject for you. Even if you're anti Walmart we all need to keep an open mind and learn about every aspect before forming our ever so "set in our way" opinions.
Let's face it, in this day and age when it comes to nutrition we could all use an economical way to feed our families heathy food. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced $9.5 million in grants to organizations with a shared mission of promoting healthy eating habits. The funding will support nutrition education programs, provide classes focused on learning to cook and shop for healthier foods on a budget and provide live cooking demonstrations in communities nationwide. Still anti Walmart?
Demonstrating how simple heart-healthy cooking can be is a great way to inspire Americans to prepare nutritious, budget-friendly meals at home. In October, Walmart participated in National Food Day by promoting healthy recipes recommended by the American Heart Association. Cooking at home can be a daunting task, but a rewarding one for your diet and lifestyle (and your wallet). Making small changes in your diet is important to your heart health. If you’re ready to start cooking at home, Walmart has dozens of recipes and pointers to ease you into the kitchen. Their recipes are simple, nutritious and each has a preparation video so you won’t miss a step. Still Anti Walmart?
Walmart announced in July 2011 that it will open between 275-300 stores serving the Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated food desert areas by 2016. These stores, in both urban and rural areas, will provide access to groceries for more than 800,000 people living in food deserts. What is a "food desert"? A food desert is any area in the industrialized world where healthy, affordable food is difficult to obtain. Food deserts are prevalent in rural as well as urban areas and are most prevalent in low-socioeconomic minority communities. They are associated with a variety of diet-related health problems. Food deserts are also linked with supermarket shortage. Sound familiar? It does to me. Still anti Walmart?
By opening stores where customers need them most, Walmart will help build healthier families and stronger communities. "We believe every single person should have access to an abundant selection of fresh fruits and vegetables at an affordable price,” said Leslie Dach, executive vice president of corporate affairs at Walmart.
Many areas classified as food deserts are also job deserts. More than 40,000 associates will work in these stores once they are open. These full- and part-time jobs will provide competitive wages and the opportunity to build a career with the company.
We protest so much about "corporate" Walmart coming into our town but we never look at what this company CAN do for our community, especially regarding healthy and nutritious foods. If you build it, they will come, in droves.
Please also note that while you extol the virtues of Walmart for entering "food deserts", the report explains: "The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines “food desert” not simply as a lower-income area with no access to fresh food, but as an area without access to a supermarket or large grocery store. A supermarket is defined as a retailer with annual sales of $2 million, and it must contain all the traditional major food departments, including fresh meat and produce, dairy products, dry and packaged goods, and frozen foods. This requirement can generally be met only by large national grocery chains." I've already read and seen what Walmart has to say. Why don't you try looking outside of their website for more information?
As noted in a prior post, I really can't buy into many studies because I've seen them used for and against everything. Aspartame comes to mind with voluminous peer-reviewed studies both for and against the product. When you dig deeper behind the veil of those studies you will either find special interest groups (often backed by competitors) or corporations behind those studies, which, effectively cancel the other out. I have a planned trip to Chicago and will go into a Walmart Neighborhood Market to see for myself. Currently, I am listening to what friends have said about the stores they frequent in both Chicago and New York. Bottom line, there is a lot of lying taking place in the grocery retail market. Though Walmart claims to be the low cost alternative, fact is it may not be for all things. With a Walmart in the area there will be no guarantee the products you see in that store will be lower priced than Ralphs, Vons or any other store nearby. We will still have to shop around, which is what I do now anyway.
The opinion of one person does not matter for public policy. The reason someone with an opinion speaks out, is because policy can only be implemented through some kind of consensus. In other words, people need to convince other people of their point of view in order for the sharing of that to be useful. (there are probably other reasons to share one's opinion, but probably not relevant for this particular issue). Being rude, condescending and calling people names will convince no one. In fact, it will do just the opposite, imho. In addition, in a discussion, you will convince NO ONE of ANYTHING without addressing the other side's concerns, regardless of how loudly you state your own opinions. So to the extent anyone desires to be 'productive', I'd suggesting trying to find another way to 'communicate'. Just my opinion. :-) Have fun. I'm going to work on my heat stroke.
You really add a lot to the tenor of the discussion.
Also, Lisa's opinion about Walmart is no more "expert" than anyone else's. ...
I've learned to eat what you like, and be happy. I'm not impressed by "certified organic" or "all natural grass fed..." I shop the perimeter, and buy aisle stuff second. I've thought about going to get a degree in nutrition, as you can get paid for that, and people will believe you. (Lisa, not discounting your credentials. You should see the wars that go on in a hospital - chefs vs registered dietitian..) I know how to eat balanced, and i eat the garbage when I want to. Moderation. Rarely sick, NEVER had a cavity, and I enjoy what I eat. I have watched my stepmother be so elite about whats natural, whole, and get worried about agendas of who knows what. Guess who always tends to "be feeling under the weather"...
With nutrition, there are so many ways to look at one's diet. You have to determine what their numbers are, and do they have a goal? Height, Weight, Age, Activity, BMI, Allergies, RDA's but then RDA's applied to BMI. Calories burned / gained, HDL, LDL... there is a LOT to contend with. GMO's, HMO, PPO's and oh oh no's... There's always going to be something to protest, but we have a choice, and frankly, I don't have time to worry about what someone else eats. (except my son) If we really wanted to address a useless, processed grocery format, we should take a long look at Target... that is processed food 101.
My solution is a solution many others have chosen. Pay now by buying organic and locally grown meat and produce by shopping the farmers markets, instead of paying later in high medical costs and in damages to the environment. And vote yes on Prop 37.