So now that I'm back from Tennessee, and I had 9 hours in a car by myself to reflect on my observations, I think it is the right time to talk about the grocery store.
In Crossville, the grocery store of my choice is the Super Wal-Mart. It generally carries everything under the sun, and if I have to require painters' tape and a package of chicken, I can easily get both at one stop. (That is why the company does so well, right?) So the word of the day is definitely 'convenience'.
My favorite store to shop at in our area is Kingsville Zehrs. I find that their produce is excellent, the butcher is very good, and will customize your order if need be, and the products in the ailse are varied, diverse, not to mention well organized. Very important.
There is a big difference between this US grocery store, and our stores. A difference in layout and in the products they carry. The grocery section of the Wal Mart is about the same size as Zehrs so let's talk about the products offered:
In Crossville's Super Wal-Mart carries about 22 different varieties of Pop Tarts, Kingsville Zehrs carries 4.
CSWM carries 4 different mustards, KZ carries about 17.
CSWM has a produce ailse that is about 1/2 the size of KZ.
CSWM has 4 times the frozen food products than KZ.
I am shocked by the number of 'Lunchables', pre-packaged frozen dinners, frozen pizza's, easy bake mixes for brownies and cakes, and pre-shredded cheese. Basically the amount convenience foods are amazing. (Yes, okay I realize that this is a Wal Mart in Crossville, Tennessee, and not say a Whole Foods Store in Bloomfield Hills....)
Americans wonder why obesity is an epidemic? Easy, pre-packaged Mac n' Cheese, super high in ingredients not found in nature, but made in a lab - that may be one reason. How hard is it to make your kid a sandwich instead of a 'Lunchable'? What do you think is better for your kid? (Childhood obesity rates in the US is nearly 20% - Canada's is - still bad - 8%)
Okay, moving on.... CSWM does not carry sun dried tomatoes in oil. It's not a big deal, but they carry every known candy known to man. The deli only offers 1 kind of turkey breast. (there are many pre-packaged and pre-cut available for 10 times the price.) The cheese varieties are totally limited, and the vegetables and fruit does not even compare to ours. The selection is terrible. BUT, the CSWM does carry every conceivable frozen entree known to exist. It sells at least 80 different varieties of granola bars, (most with chocolate and marshmallows.)
Do you see what I'm getting at? Have you ever looked into someone else's cart? Guess what? The mom with bad skin and a huge @ss, is the one with all the pre-packaged crap and screaming fat kids, and not a vegetable to be seen within 10 feet of her cart. Hmm...
If you know me, you know that I am not a health freak. I do eat the occasional Lean Cuisine, and I love chips. I'm about 25 lbs' overweight. Let's be honest here. BUT - I am just shocked that Americans struggle with their weight, are confounded why their kids are fat, wondering why they have high blood pressure and diabetes, and the reasons are so obvious to me.
Just wait until I get started on fast food...
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2 comments:
I did notice that about the Superwalmart when I was down there with you. It is also another way that socio-economical status effects one's health. People that can afford to shop at Whole Foods, or any other relatively healthy grocer, also tend to be healthier, or at least can afford to pay the medical bills to treat their health challenges. They can also afford to purchase things that might have to be thrown away when they go bad and therefore can afford to lose the money if they don't eat it in time. Also, people that are not as well off find that some of the foods at the SuperWalmart can be a way that they can treat themselves without spending too much cash, but they are purchasing foods that contribute to their ill health. It can get to be a viscious circle.
You are so right.
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