Grocery shopping this week, I was very encouraged to find in several areas of my local Fortino's,the usual and some NEW vegetarian entrees, meat replacements, tofu and TVP options. Until very recently, the limited selections were to be found in the "organic" section or by the bagged salad cooler. This week, though, I found my usual products plus the new ones in the departments mentioned, but also in the deli counter and meat aisle.
If Fortino's is positioning these products in a variety of areas within their huge super stores, I can only assume it is because (1) they are going to sell more product this way and (2) the demand must be on the upswing. A very good sign in my opinion. Not only is this good for people already eating "green" but it also puts the product in areas where they will be viewed by consumers who would not ordinarily see them and hopefully, purchase one or two. Not only was the store carrying more, but the new products were displayed in end of aisle coolers and in ample quantities (several rows / columns deep).
This comes at a turning point for me as I contemplate my reasons / motivation / purpose for maintaining this blog. I am finding myself slipping into despondency not only about the suffering associated with an animal based diet but other areas of excessive consumption as well. The Spectator today ran an article today about the devastation of rain forests for harvesting of trees to make palm oil. From what I have read, palm oil (like corn) is a product used (or hidden) in a multitude on products. It is not a healthy oil for us nor is the farming of the forests healthy for the animals that live in these dwindling habitats (orangutans, pygmy elephants to name just two) - more species to be add to the endangered list.
It is all rather overwhelming isn't it?
I will be taking a little time away from this blog just to think about where I want to go with all of this. Our teacher, in mixed conversation with a group of us, reminded 'think globally and act locally" and also suggested that one can become "hooked on aversion". (That's a confusing one...why would you be 'hooked' on aversion? Hmmm...something to think about.)
Action and thought; I'm thinking and I hope I take some action. As the saying goes, more to be revealed. Stay tuned.....
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Fortino's offers more vegetarian options....
Posted by Compassionate Consumption at 12:27 p.m.
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6 comments:
Now if we can only get them to purchase the product locally, rather than shipping it 3,000 miles in the back of a truck. They will listen when you ask them. I know from experience.
HOW TRUE; you have reminded me that most stores have at the courtesy desk, cards that you can fill out. So along with asking department personnel for local produce (or a specific product), we can also fill out these cards with comments about what we would like to see or not like to see on the store's shelves. Thank you for your comment - it will produce ACTION!
Missing your witty banter and thought provoking statements. I like that you have said your doubts and sort of thinking out loud. Can you do that still on your blog about where you "want to go with all this"?
Thank you for inquiring. I will continue posting, but from a much softer point of view. Less preachy, self-righteous - not sure I even understand myself, but feel that I need to get off the soap-box and just speak from the heart. It is hard and very draining to maintain a level of anger at the way things are, if that makes any sense. This is the best way I can express it. But yes, again thanks for the encouragement. Look for new posts soon.
Yes, I find Fortinos has more vegetarian options than most other grocery stores. They used to have Schneider's meatless "chick'n" nuggets which were delicious, but I guess they pulled them off the shelves because demand was too low. Shame. I've also had the Scnheider's meatless wieners, and they are quite delicious too (albeit expensive). I usually just get the Tofurky deli slices (my fave is Hickory-smoked). They also now have meatless beef strips (forgot the company name), but you can eat them raw or fry them up, however you like. They're in the organic section, along with the meatless chicken breasts.. Let's hope Fortinos will keep bringing in those vegetarian products! By the way, I think you are doing a great job keeping this blog.. I know it is hard to be vegetarian in a meat-eating world; I often get a lot of meat-eaters railing against my vegetarianism and saying insulting things, but we've got to keep the faith alive! Don't lose hope!
Dear Anonymous,
Thank you so much for your encouraging feedback - I appreciate it very much.
Prasad
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