Voting with your wallet is hard because there is such an illusion of choice that makes it difficult to know where your money is actually going. Now, I’m not a “know-it-all”…but I strive to continuously learn new things. One area I’ve learned a lot about over the past year and a half is my food – where it comes from, who owns it, what’s in it, and the larger biotech industry that’s changing it.
I often talk to my friends and family about how to change their habits to be more aware and how to influence change by voting with their wallets. I also constantly mention that we’ll never know everything – nor will we know it all once. We can’t compare ourselves to others, or judge ourselves too harshly for not eating completely organic or grabbing the (likely GMO) corn chips at our favorite Mexican restaurant.
Everyone is on their own journey. There are people who are much more aware of what they’re putting into their bodies than I am – but that doesn’t make them better or my journey any less important. I’m trying to create actions out of all that I learn – and that’s all I can ask of anyone else.
As part of this journey, I’ve found that many brands that I love are actually owned by corporations I don’t support. I used to buy Sabra hummus until I found out it was owned by Pepsi Co., and I used to buy Stonyfield Organic products but have scaled back once I found out they are owned by Groupe Danone (the corporation still gives Stonyfield autonomy). I thought that I’d come pretty far and have felt that all my choices were getting closer to where I wanted to spend my hard-earned dollars. However, things come up all the time – we don’t have nearly has much choice as we think.
As an example, I recently switched to fluoride-free toothpaste for a variety of reasons (mainly in an effort to begin to eliminate unnecessary chemicals from my life), and I purchased Tom’s of Maine brand on Amazon. I’ve been really happy with the product, but I recently learned that it’s actually owned by Colgate-Palmolive. I was disappointed to say the least, as I’m actively trying to avoid giving MORE of my money to big corporations that acquire smaller companies and limit competition (along with other practices I feel are inappropriate such as environmental harm, poor treatment of workers through low wages/reduced benefits, outsourcing, lobbying and propaganda).
“Colgate-Palmolive Co. announced…it’s buying Tom’s of Maine, the leading maker of natural toothpaste…” “The $100 million cash deal for privately owned Tom’s of Maine, which got its start in 1970 by producing a phosphate-free laundry detergent, reflects Colgate’s strategy of focusing on the higher-margin oral and personal care businesses”
It’s clear that Tom’s of Maine wasn’t acquired because Colgate-Palmolive cares about lower-chemical toothpaste – they state right there that they want more money – more of the money I pay for these types of products. And with a company that conducts Mergers & Acquisitions with its funds and has to satisfy shareholders, it’s less likely that they are investing in research and development for new, safer, and better products (this is extremely common practice for public companies – fast profits, happy shareholders. Facebook is a recent victim – it’s looking to buy other services, rather than working to develop its own since it’s gone public) . I don’t want to support that, and while it’s an optional choice I make, I also feel accountable to do it because of my beliefs.
It was a difficult moment as it made me realize how far I have yet to go, and it made me think about my journey. I had to stop and take a step back so as not to compare myself to others. I need to learn from this, and not make the same choice next time. I know this is the way to change – for myself, and for society. I care – I won’t just blindly purchase the brand next time because it’s convenient or cheaper. I’m responsible for where my money goes. We all are.
In what ways are you voting with your wallet?
Heard this quote today and i think it’s relevant to your post.
“Judge yourself based on your own work.” – Marc Maron
Focus on how far you’ve already come, not how far you’ve yet to go. Keep up the great work!
Thank you, Jesse! That’s a great quote – comparing myself to others is something I actively work, but still struggle with.
I have no problem with smaller companies being bought up – I think it’s a great payback for the owners’ hard work. I am worried about the barriers to entry for the fledgling producers, as in the case of farmers and farmers’ markets vs supermarket store chains – to succeed, you need to be big from the outset and your growth cannot be gradual. Add to that the increasing trend for over-regulation (at least in Europe) where a large chunk from the cost of a good is just spent on compliance.
I envision a day when you won’t be allowed to grow your own plants unless you comply with strict rules on the containment of your “unregulated” produce.
I see that aspect of acquisition and understand the ideas of creating efficiencies, and adding value to a company in this way.
Where I have problems, though, is when acquisition limits competition. Many of these companies are TOO big, limiting true choice for consumers – and that is absolutely not a free market or capitalism. Too much control by corporations hurts consumers, the environment, employment, communities, etc.
And yes, I think that day is coming too, unfortunately. 🙁