[midstreammama]

Are these for real, or are they not so organic just labeled that way?

Just wondering, that's all.

 

[kdmama33]

They're for real ... if you want to call anything in Wal-Mart "for real". They carry some of the same brands I get from Azure, like Cascade Farms, Amy's, Muir Glenn, etc. And the prices are cheaper than the co-op on some things, too, though not everything.

I don't shop there, but I made a recon trip when they first opened the supercenter in a neighboring town, just to check things out.

 

[Kleine Hexe]

Yeah, they are for real.....for now. My fear is that is Walmart finds a growing market with organics then they will start to change organics. Walmart has the money and the power to do so and I believe they would. Walmart would find it very profitable to weaken the USDA standards and regulations for organics, and I don't want Walmart messing with that. What will pass as organic may have more hormones and chemicals on it than is already allowed.

I used to buy some organic stuff at Walmart because it was cheaper. However, after reading articles about Walmart already beginning to think about tampering with USDA regulations, I stopped. I don't want Walmart to find a lucrative business in the organic market because they will change it, and not in a good way.

 

[redwolf2]

When the superwalmart opened around here (the new one b/c we already have 2

: ) they sent an ad in the mail advertising organic cotton baby clothes. I couldn't believe it, and they were reasonably priced. I wonder how organic they really were? Are the standards different for clothes?

 

[redwolf2]

OT

Kleine HEx,
Just noticed you posted here...how are you...having football withdrawal yet?
I'm having football player withdrawal

 

[Ruthla]

I think there have been threads about this before- I wouldn't trust "organics" at Wal-mart.

 

[Kleine Hexe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwolf2 OT Kleine HEx, Just noticed you posted here...how are you...having football withdrawal yet? I'm having football player withdrawal

Ha! Yes, they were nice to look at. My older son is signed up for football so at least I'll still have it in my life.

Back to Walmart ruining the organic market.....

 

[amcal]

The organics at walmart are not walmart brands that I can tell - they are established brands who are now offering an organic alternative. For example, Heinz katsup and beans, Amy products, Cascade Farms etc... Ours also offers locally grown, free range eggs and organic milk. They also offer several national brands of organic fresh produce.

For some people who desperately want to feed their families organics whenever possible but can't afford Whole Foods prices, walmart is a pretty good alternative.

 

[kdmama33]

Yes, that is one of the problems I see with Wal-Mart being involved in the organic market, too. Another problem I see is that more and more mainstream, big business food producers are becoming involved in the organics market because of Wal-Mart. For example, there will soon be an organic version of Rice Krispies (Kellog Co.). Now, personally, I don't want to see organic Rice Krispies and the like, because there are still so many other issues I have with the product (puffed grains are not healthy, IMO, is one, and ingredients that I don't care to consume, be they organic or not). And, I don't want to see companies like Kellog trying to horn in on the "healthy" niche while still producing so many other "mainstream" products and continuing on with their current business practices. (Did any of that make sense? It's been a rough morning.

)

I would like to see more stores move towards a buisness model that supports local food consumption. Wal-Mart will not do anything to further that -- it would not allow for their current "low, low prices". Yet another reason I'm not happy with Wal-Mart becoming involved in the organics market.

There's an interesting entry in Joel Salatin's Polyface Farms blog concerning this. He's more eloquent than I am, certainly.

 

[avendesora]

NAK

Walmart is a business, just like Whole Foods. They each have their demographic. Walmart's demographic is people who need to stretch their budget as much as possible. Whole Food's demographic is people who want an ethically run store. Walmart will do what its customers want, as will Whole Foods.

Walmart's CEO seems to have some conscience - he's realizing that greener can be economical. He's realizing that their is a market for organics - there are people who need to stretch their budget, but would also like to help be more environmental.

I read this article . I thought it was pretty interesting. Seems like Rob Walton and the CEO are realizing how much clout they have, and how much good they could do with that clout. Sure, it's good PR. Whether or not the PR is their primary motivation, I don't know. I'm generally pretty cynical about these things, but if less pesticides are being used, how can that be bad?

Is it a bad thing if organics were to become mainstream? As long as the standards don't get any more lax...

Aven

 

[Kleine Hexe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by avendesora Walmart's CEO seems to have some conscience - he's realizing that greener can be economical. He's realizing that their is a market for organics - there are people who need to stretch their budget, but would also like to help be more environmental.

I'm sorry but that made me laugh. The CEO is concerned with one thing....the bottom line. That is the profit. He does not give a rat's bung hole about the evironment and it would be even more economical if the regulations could be bent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by avendesora I'm generally pretty cynical about these things, but if less pesticides are being used, how can that be bad? Is it a bad thing if organics were to become mainstream? As long as the standards don't get any more lax...

See, that's just it. The standards would be reduced, tweaked, played with, loop holes would be created. So that when something has an organic label it won't have the same meaning as it does right now. More pesticides would be allowed, hormones, antibiotics etc would be allowed. Walmart has the power to change the regulations, and you can bet good money that they would do so in a blink of an eye to make the profit margin larger.

I was so excited at first when I saw organics in Walmart. I thought is was a sign of organic becoming mainstream and less chemicals and such would be used less. That was before I realized what Walmart could do to change the USDA organic regulations.

I wish that organic would become mainstream *without* loosening the regulations. I wish that everyone could afford organic.

 

[flminivanmama]

my fear is not them changing the standards - it's them making the companies go out of business. first of all the companies that DO produce for wal mart will be forced to produce more and more at lower and lower prices till it literally bankrupts them (has anyone read that valassic pickle article? I'm going to go search for it...) and secondly the copanies that DO NOT will be eclipsed by those that do.... unable to hang on till it's too late.

and that's what I hate about wal mart. their prices are lower because they bully their suppliers and run the other guy out of business.

we may be living paycheck to paycheck (and believe me - we are) but that kind of savings isn't worth it for me.

 

[flminivanmama]

here it is

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html

 

[lilyka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redwolf2 organic cotton baby clothes. I couldn't believe it, and they were reasonably priced. I wonder how organic they really were? Are the standards different for clothes?

just because they are organic doesn't mean they weren't sewn in a sweat shop. I think most real organic companies strive for fair business practices and environmentally friendly business practices. I am sure walmart does the minimum they have to to call it organic clothing. which I am sure means the lowest level of organic farmin and everyrthing else par for the course. still better than conventional but not all the feel good feelings that used ot go along with oprganic stuff,

 

[snuffles]

Not all of us have access to reasonably priced health food stores or a Whole Foods or similar grocery stores. So for people like me, who would like to atleast have the OPTION of buying organic, Walmart carrying organics means a lot...

 

[rainbowmoon]

well I hate shopping at walmart, but I do

: I wish we had more options here where I live, but we don't (other than drive 2 hours) I am happy we can get organics there.

 

[MPJJJ]

I would happily shop at walmart for organic food. Hell, I'd happily shop there for any kind of food, but we dont have a superwalmart here. We only have a SaveALot (which does not sell anything even remotely close to organic) and a Glenns, and we cannot even afford the door fee, LOL. (Glenn's is outrageously expensive for someone on our small budget.) We do the best that we can, and if Walmart makes it viable for us to feed our kids organic food, then Hell Yeah! I'm all for it!

 

[redwolf2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilyka just because they are organic doesn't mean they weren't sewn in a sweat shop. I think most real organic companies strive for fair business practices and environmentally friendly business practices. I am sure walmart does the minimum they have to to call it organic clothing. which I am sure means the lowest level of organic farmin and everyrthing else par for the course. still better than conventional but not all the feel good feelings that used ot go along with oprganic stuff,

NO DOUBT!

 

[Kleine Hexe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by flminivanmama my fear is not them changing the standards - it's them making the companies go out of business. first of all the companies that DO produce for wal mart will be forced to produce more and more at lower and lower prices till it literally bankrupts them (has anyone read that valassic pickle article? I'm going to go search for it...) and secondly the copanies that DO NOT will be eclipsed by those that do.... unable to hang on till it's too late. and that's what I hate about wal mart. their prices are lower because they bully their suppliers and run the other guy out of business. we may be living paycheck to paycheck (and believe me - we are) but that kind of savings isn't worth it for me.

: Also a reason I don't like them.

As for having a natural food store readily available to me....I don't have one. I drive close to 40 miles to the nearest store. I only drive there once or twice a month. I freeze a lot of stuff cause I buy extra to make the trip worth while. I do have a Publix that carries a few organics and that is nice.

I really don't know what it's going to take to make Walmart change their business practice. Walmart just sucks.

 

[snuffles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kleine Hexe : Also a reason I don't like them. As for having a natural food store readily available to me....I don't have one. I drive close to 40 miles to the nearest store. I only drive there once or twice a month. I freeze a lot of stuff cause I buy extra to make the trip worth while. I do have a Publix that carries a few organics and that is nice. I really don't know what it's going to take to make Walmart change their business practice. Walmart just sucks.

Oh, there are a few health food stores here and there in the surrounding 90 miles, but they are all outrageously expensive, and so we can't afford to shop there.