Today I went to Whole Foods. It's been about 6 years since I've been in a Whole Foods, but I was looking for wheat groats for the new volunteer gig I'm doing through the Food Bank of South Jersey. After going to MANNA today, I biked up to the Whole Foods in Center City. Outside I was greeted with an array of other bikes locked up on the racks. Inside, I was greeted with mounds of fresh mangoes, bananas, pineapples and coconuts. I stood dumbfounded for at least 10 seconds before I managed to walk again. I quickly got the groats, some brown rice and cornmeal so I could leave. On the way to the checkout, I passed one aisle full of potato chips, one aisle full of bottled water and another aisle full of frozen vegan foods...such as vegan toaster pastries. Seriously?
What have we become that we accept vegan toaster pastries, individually packaged potato chips and bottled water as part a lifestyle that cares for the environment and animals? What about caring for your own body? I highly admire vegans, but toaster pastries? Vegans are suppose to eat whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, soymilk, nuts and seeds...not toaster pastries. By choosing to become a vegan, you are making a conscious decision to consume foods that are essential for optimal performance. And an entire aisle dedicated to bottled water? I can go to any faucet, turn on the tap and have cool, potable water in my cup. Water is so precious.
I know I'm not going to change Whole Foods. I know people will still continue to eat toaster pastries, vegan or not. I'm not going to stop globalization and the transport of tropical fruit to the American masses. My last Christmas in Cambodia I went around to every Western grocery store in search of molasses for gingerbread cookies. Last weekend I went in search of curry leaves for somlaw macheu grueng in Philadelphia. Despite what side of the globe I'm on, I still want the comfort of that far away land. I'm still part of this global economy, and I'm still part of the problem.
Let me be content.
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