Friday, November 7, 2014


Tangential post because
(1) Wal-mart is a store that incorporates a pharmacy in its business model.
(2) There is a lot of concern about anti-bacterial resistance in humans, and some more seasoned peers say people do not mention that amount given to animals....
(3) Customers frequently like natural over synthetic. Numerous people ask "is there some herb I can take for my ailments instead of some pill?"
Walmart is attempting to bring organic food to its stores at prices similar to its non-organic products.

This article: "Wal-Mart Promises Organic Food for Everyone" By Andrew Martin
mentions examples where one organic product cost the same (or less) than a non-organic product. Walmart uses the Wild Oats brand. The examples were organic cinnamon applesauce, black beans and quinoa were either the same or cheaper than a non-organic version.

When I was younger I was told that "organic" meant no extra herbicides, pesticides, insecticides. Less chemicals in one's body. Sounds great. Normally one has to pay more for a better quality product. However, the article states that the organic producers are not producing in the most efficient manner. Wal-mart's size would allow for greater products produced at the same cost, which is more efficiency. If it is possible due to economies of scale, then so much the better for the consumer that has a demand for organic foodstuffs selling for the same price as a non-organic version.

For the full text read page one and two below:

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-11-06/wal-mart-promises-organic-food-for-everyone#r=shared

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-11-06/wal-mart-promises-organic-food-for-everyone#p2

No comments: