I read online the other day that Hershey's is moving some of it's production to Mexico, and they are planning some in China in the future.(link here) I am not bothered by them taking jobs from American workers...although maybe I should be. But the thing that gets me is that now we will have no idea where some of the food we eat is coming from. I know that Mexico isn't the most sanitary place, and Hershey assures us that the factory conditions will not be a reflection of the outside conditions, but how will we know? After all of the toy recalls lately who can you trust? I assumed that when I bought something at the store it was safe. That toys did not have lead in them that are harmful to my child. That my candy or other food was safe for eating. But it seems like "in the name of saving money" we are also cutting quality. Just another reason to buy local. :)
Also, I was looking at our bottle of Mott's apple juice and on the side of it is imprinted: China, Argentina, and USA. I assume this means that the apples are from these places...or the juices were made in these places and I could have any combination in my bottle??? So it isn't just Hershey that is doing this, I have never looked into it I guess I assumed our food was made here in the states or Canada. But now I am curious to research where things really come from. I know fruit and things we get from overseas when it isn't in season here. I understand that, and they can't "cut costs" on the growing of fruit to make it lower quality. But what else?
I want to add that I do understand that accidents happen. We often have products from the States pulled from shelves for e-coli, etc. Sometimes things just happen. Unless you grow all of your own food I think you will always be at somewhat of a risk for getting contaminated food. It just seems our government should be doing more to protect us. And I don't think sending food production to Mexico is moving in the right direction.
8 comments:
Kristi..I've been trying to "buy local" as much as possible, but frankly, it's hard! Local stands and farmers markets are great places for fruits, veggies and eggs, and I'm soon to get a 1/4 locally-raised beef, but when it comes to processed or prepackaged, it can get tough to find local products.
i'm glad someone is watching out for me and my family!
i still seem to think my stomach / digestive system is bulletproof... it's nice to have you around so that i don't have to find out "just how much my system can take"!
i love you.
'But the thing that gets me is that now we will have no idea where some of the food we eat is coming from.'
we already don't know where half of our food comes from. The meat we eat is often 'raised' and slaughtered in completely different places.
i find it funny that people (americans) just assume that we make everything ourselves food wise, and well other products too...but i think it would shock some people to find out that pretty much nothing is made here. we import so many food/other products from other countries, and it is funny that people (with the scare of dog food and toys) are just now starting to care about where all of this has been coming from.
Why do you think the government hands money out to every farming grant like it's candy? because america just doesn't farm anymore. well we do some still, but not enough to support ourself. It would be interesting to locate an actual percentage of what our country depends on from overseas in regards to food.
to expect the government to keep track of absolutely everything and research what is going into everything that comes into our country seems to me a very impossible and daunting task when one considers the magnitude of the amount/variety/locations.
this ball has been rolling far to long to change now...it seems to be up to the individual to keep an eye on things...however possible that even is anymore.
just random thoughts...
You wouldn't believe how hard it is to be in the farming industry... :) I'll talk to whoever wants to know but not on comment post. Agricultre employees the most amount of people because it's a large industry and americans like food/eat, but so many people care more about the cost than where it comes from. Majoring at WSU in busines and agriculture I learned alot about how you can market things to look good to consumers. Like things can be "Made in America" when in some cases it could be only assembled here while the rest of the product was made elsewhere.
Yesterday I was looking at the package I bought my roma tomatoes in from Trader Joe's. And it says, in really fine print, that they are grown in Mexico. That makes me a little nervous. I'm definitely going to try to buy more locally. Thanks for this post. :)
I hate to be political, but...
Kinda along the lines Jami was getting at; we have made it difficult for local farmers to be able to survive by continually increasing minimum wage and insisting on paying such low prices for food.
Federal subsidies help... somewhat.
Farmers have a rough life these days. Go do eastern washington and look how they live. You'll have a several thousand acre farm, with a quarter million dollars in tractor(s) and the farmer living in an old mobile home and driving a 1979 f150.
Losers who want to earn "family wages" flipping burgers somehow have a louder voice in congress than the farmer who cant afford to pay 8 bucks an hour for 2 dozen guys who are helping him pick his apples. Sure, a group of border hoppers will gladly do it for less, but the farmer gets in trouble for that too. The poor farmer has payments on the $200,000 John Deere and land he cant afford to cultivate. Its easier for him to sell off his land bits at a time to make ends meet.
I think if Americans were serious about buying local (or at lest American), we need to yell at our legislature and be prepared to pony up extra cash at the grocery store to, pardon the pun, put our money where our mouth is.
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