A couple months ago Ben and I took a trip into the cities to get a family fix. On our way back to the farm we swung by a Trader Joe’s to pick up a couple grocery items. One of the first display stands as you enter the store holds hundreds of bananas. My mouth watered and my body instantly craved the nutrition of a banana. I grabbed a bunch and carried on to the next items.
As I looked into the cart, my satisfaction of the soon to be consumed banana was squelched. The bright red letters and shining yellow sun stuck to each piece of fruit - DOLE. Even though this name is commonly known, one of the largest fruit purveyors of the world, their unethical production and sourcing practices have turned us off from wanting to support this mega company.
Ben and I saw it at the same moment, we looked at each other and without a word I grabbed the bananas and brought them back to the display. I returned to the cart defeated. “Why do they have to be Dole?” I grumbled to Ben. Individually our thoughts raced to unjust working conditions for workers and hazardous chemicals with life threatening side effects. But our minds quickly shifted to ourselves. We mentioned that its been months since our last banana and how delicious it sounded...what could it really hurt to buy just two bananas? Even if it is Dole?
So I took the fifteen steps back to the display, snatched up two bananas, and without hesitation went to looking at what cereal to buy. But our consciences screamed at us. This time Ben brought the bananas back.
Dismayed, we returned to the cereal.
Suddenly the thought popped into my mind, "Maybe they have organic! Maybe the bananas are Equal Exchange!" Hopeful, I raced around looking for the smaller, less featured display. I found what I was looking for...but not really. Disappointed, I returned to Ben with the bad news that even the organic bananas are Dole. We discussed it and came to the conclusion that at least these bananas are organic, so the chemical thing is not an issue. We moved right along, organic Dole bananas in cart, contented with the thought of soon eating a chemical free banana.
But something burned in both of us. We agreed that the issue is not just chemical free produce. It is so much more than that. The problem is much bigger. The more integrated we become in the farming system, the more we learn about corruption and injustice in the food we eat and the farming practices used to grow it. We have watched videos, read stories, heard personal accounts. We have ached for those who have experienced pain, become enraged over the injustice, been brought to tears thinking about working conditions, and longed to have it all change for the better. But how? It feels impossible.
Once again we returned the bananas to the shelf. This time determined to not go back with indecision. We did not want to support Dole. Even if it was with a purchase of only thirty cents worth of fruit. We have heard enough stories of unfathomable working conditions and inequitable rights. We wanted no part of it.
We walked triumphantly through the store collecting the other few items we planned to get. Yet ironically still felt unsettled.
We journeyed toward the farm. Forty five minutes in the car passed. Even as we carried on conversation about other topics, my mind was racing about our little banana dilemma. I abruptly changed the subject with an adamant question, "Why does it matter?!"
It did not feel like we made a difference. Two bananas, thats it. I just wanted a banana. I felt like we had resisted against something just to prove it to ourselves but that it really did not make a difference. Could that lack of a purchase really affect those living and working at the Dole plantation? Is this really the answer to impacting a strong corrupt system?
We dove into a quick economic refresher and talked about the chain of demand, even with bananas. So a store orders a certain amount of bananas based on sales. If sales go up, orders go up. If sales go down, orders go down. Lets say there are fifty couples who have learned about Dole and decided they will not buy those products. For convenience of the story, they all shop at the same store and only Dole bananas are in stock. Even though they really enjoy eating bananas and it is convenient to buy them at this store, they are adamant about not supporting Dole, so they no longer get bananas there. The produce manager soon realizes banana sales have been down, so he lowers how many bananas he orders from Dole. Meanwhile, those couples are either not buying bananas or are purchasing fair trade, maybe Equal Exchange bananas from a different store. It even happened that these couples made it known to the produce manager that if he brought in Equal Exchange bananas, they would start buying those. So the store no longer carries Dole bananas, only Equal Exchange.
This is extremely simplified, but just go with me. Dole is impacted, they have to downsize. At the same time, Equal Exchange is growing (this company purchases from a number of small banana farmers and gives fair prices, equal rights, and quality working conditions.)
Okay, coming back down to reality. This whole consumer situation is actually really complicated, its tough, it often times seems impossible. And yet, we assured ourselves that just two people choosing to not make a purchase can make a difference, it does matter and it has to start somewhere. But it cannot happen if it is just us. If a difference is to be made, more people need to be aware and take action.
And so these are the things we as consumers need to think about. We have to know that the bananas we buy have a much longer story than just sitting on the shelf waiting to be bought. There are human beings, just like you and me that grow those bananas. There is someone making a profit from our purchase. There is land that continually gives but needs nutrients in order to do so. There may or may not be toxic chemicals affecting the workers, the land, the water, the innocent people living in the nearby village. We have to be educated.
Ben and I try really hard to support quality companies. We buy a lot local. We purchase fair trade. We avoid stores with poor reputations. It is in no way convenient. We live more simply, without so many things. We sometimes have to suppress our wants or desires in order to not support a bad company. We believe - no - we know that every time we spend money, we are supporting something. We want to be sure to support the right things. One resource we use often to help us in this effort is The Better World Shopper. As we stand in front of a wall of chocolate trying to decide which bar to buy, we check out which companies have the best ratings. Sometimes, most of the time, those are more expensive. But its what we believe in. We want to be conscious consumers. So maybe instead of two chocolate bars, we buy one, because thats what fits in our budget, and we want to support the better company. This decision process occurs with every dollar spent, its more than just food, its where we buy our gas, what bank we choose, and what toilet paper we decide to put in our bathroom.
I in no way share this to prove to be better than anyone else, only to maybe introduce new thoughts or to show some possibilities. Ben and I are constantly trying to improve. There are things in our lives that still need to change. We still need to become more educated. We are open to learn. We know that The Better World Shopper is not the only answer.
We use this story to be a springboard from which we can share thoughts that often run through our minds, topics that fill our conversations. We want to show you articles we read and videos we watch. We want to hear from you. We want to be part of a bigger thing than just ourselves, because we know it has to be bigger than us. We want to constantly be reminded that what we buy, the steps we take to support reputable companies, and the educational conversations we have make a difference. It really does matter.
