What Is the True Value of Our Food?
The recent guest on the radio show, a well-known chef by the way, responded to the question about the price of butter with a thought-provoking statement: “A pound of butter is definitely too cheap considering the effort the cow had to put in.” This response is meant to stir contemplation, not only about our perception of value but also about our overall consumption habits. What processes must unfold? What stages of production are involved? What companies play a role in the chain that culminates in a packaged pound of butter on the supermarket shelf?
While the price tag and customer acceptance are on one side of the equation, there’s more to uncover about corporate pricing strategies. Is the offer truly as affordable as the advertisements suggest? We’ll explore how such budget-friendly deals come about, but first, let’s take a glimpse behind the scenes of supermarkets—a realm often inaccessible to customers.
The recent guest on the radio show, a well-known chef by the way, responded to the question about the price of butter with a thought-provoking statement: “A pound of butter is definitely too cheap considering the effort the cow had to put in.” This response is meant to stir contemplation, not only about our perception of value but also about our overall consumption habits. What processes must unfold? What stages of production are involved? What companies play a role in the chain that culminates in a packaged pound of butter on the supermarket shelf?
While the price tag and customer acceptance are on one side of the equation, there’s more to uncover about corporate pricing strategies. Is the offer truly as affordable as the advertisements suggest? We’ll explore how such budget-friendly deals come about, but first, let’s take a glimpse behind the scenes of supermarkets—a realm often inaccessible to customers.
Taking from help the "Trash" is a Legal Offense
Food wastage is a prevalent concern. A counter-movement to the throwaway culture has emerged, commonly referred to as “dumpster diving” or “containering.” In protest, individuals—often environmentally conscious young adults—reclaim items from the contents of dumpsters. To clarify, these contents generally comprise edible food that need not be discarded. Despite the noble intention of reusing these food items, such actions can fall under the legal category of trespassing. Many activists have faced legal repercussions, receiving fines as penalties. Furthermore, donating such items to charitable institutions like food banks is not permitted due to the surpassing of expiration dates.
However, there are instances where vendors display a more considerate stance. Some extend understanding and kindness, offering expired goods for free collection (often without corporate authorization). This approach illustrates a respectful and appreciative way to handle the situation.
Marketing Departments Employ Psychological Tactics
Returning to Pricing Strategies: Special offers and price promotions impact customers due to the inherent “hunter-gatherer” gene within each of us. Even after hundreds of thousands of years, the thrill of the bargain hunter persists when scoring discounted items. In our times, the supermarket has taken over from the wilderness, and the pre-packaged pork chop no longer needs to be hunted, skinned, or divided. The principle of gratification following successful food procurement still holds true. However, a difference exists between then and now: Unlike today, the past lacked an abundance of edible goods, and landfills weren’t overflowing with them.
Post-World War II, the objective was also to revive the economy. The aftermath of the war left many people financially strained, making it possible to afford only the essentials amidst the already limited food supply. The government had to respond to these conditions, aiming for Germany’s resurgence. Thus, the subsidy program was born. This state financial assistance facilitated citizens’ ability to purchase food at reasonable prices, enabling them to afford more. The producers, who were meant to benefit from this economic upturn, received the price difference from the government’s coffers. In principle, this was a rational plan, particularly since Germany has now grown into an economic powerhouse. However, in today’s times, the dynamics have shifted significantly: Subsidized funding still supports food and goods, yet taxpayers are led astray by the aforementioned “hunter-gatherer” genes, to put it mildly.
The Harmful Evolution of Subsidies for a Healthy Nation
The subsidies disbursed by the state to producers are ultimately funded through the taxes collected from citizens. A supposedly affordable pork cutlet for $10 has already been pre-financed by the customer through their tax payments. In return, the customer receives a piece of pork that has been raised in factory farming conditions, heavily reliant on medications and feed made from maize and soy (sourced from Central and South America), all under undignified circumstances. Ultimately, it ends up at a large-scale slaughterhouse, ending its existence there. The same story extends to all other animal-derived foods. Subsidized producer enterprises receive funding proportionate to their land usage. Larger corporations receive higher subsidies. On the other hand, small businesses or organic farmers receive only a fraction of these funds due to their stricter regulations and smaller operating sizes. It’s important to note that this injustice isn’t confined solely to Germany as a producing nation. Subsidies from legislative sources span across the EU, even reaching countries with even less stringent animal husbandry standards than those already in place domestically.
Producers and Suppliers Struggle under the Pressure and Price Demands of Corporations
While on one side, the cheapest foods are produced, and customers indirectly finance their offerings through paid taxes, on the other side, large food corporations thrive, with their profits continuously growing, regardless of whether a portion of the food is discarded at the end of a sales day in the store. The pricing pressure on producers is intense, making it increasingly difficult for many farmers to sustain conventional cultivation, husbandry, or land use. Suppliers are compelled to yield to the corporations’ pressure and follow suit by offering products at low prices and in bulk. Ultimately, the batches supplied by the retailers determine the outcome.
Overcoming Major Frustration - Empowering Consumers
The subject matter is intricate, frustrating, and customers may initially feel powerless in the face of these pricing and offering policies. Some become disheartened by this overwhelming force, while others find joy in the variety of options and appreciate the luxury of living in such a society. However, demand still dictates supply – corporations must adhere to this fundamental economic law. This is why they invest significant effort into keeping buyers engaged through sales-enhancing and psychological tactics.
For those who are skeptical of promises of variety, ethical treatment, and special deals, there are fortunately effective strategies available to them, ensuring they don’t get misled:
- Purchasing food directly from producers, such as local farm shops, organic markets, and small stores nearby.
- Developing an understanding that quality food is genuinely worth its higher price. This also supports producers.
- Critically questioning food consumption. Do I want to consume meat that has endured suffering and has been loaded with medications? The same applies to plant-based products treated with pesticides to boost yields.
- Mindfully purchasing and utilizing food. How much is truly consumed in the household?
- Opting for regional and seasonal shopping. This not only supports local producers but is usually healthier than imported foods.
- Participating in food-sharing programs. This allows excess purchased food to be offered for pickup and sharing on online platforms, preventing unnecessary waste.
Household Appliances Aid in Mindful Food Management
Many people have the assistance of modern technology when it comes to embracing a conscious lifestyle. Refrigerators keep food fresh for longer periods, and gentle cooking methods ensure essential vitamin- and mineral-rich diets. Of course, it’s common for appetite during food preparation to exceed actual consumption. In such cases, similar to purchasing larger quantities of groceries, portioning and preservation become important. Vacuum sealing machines are exceptionally suited for this purpose. By extracting air from the bag and sealing the packaging, chemical changes within the food due to contact with oxygen are halted. As a result, raw and vacuum-sealed vegetables can remain fresh in the fridge for up to three weeks and even up to 3 years in the freezer. For more information, you can learn about food durability in connection with vacuum sealing here.
With this simple household tip, there’s no need to purchase excessive amounts of pre-portioned foods from the supermarket, only to potentially not utilize them. On one hand, this facilitates gentle and fresh food preservation, while actively contributing to the reduction of overflowing supermarket dumpsters and even the invisible “butter mountains.” However, the problem of waste isn’t solely confined to supermarket exteriors. By studying an informative infographic, the lengthy journey of food production becomes apparent. The staggering quantity of globally produced animal-based foods is startling – only a tiny fraction of this even reaches the market or consumers. These surprising figures were drawn from the publication “Meat Atlas 2014”.
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