The New Human Condition

With Christmas quickly approaching, chocolate is sure to be on everyones mind. Even outside of the holidays, chocolate is a popular and common gift. Americans consume about 2.8 billion pounds of chocolate annually, an industry worth about $13 billion dollars. Obviously, this is a huge industry, and there is a lot of profit to be made here.

Unfortunately, a large percentage of the world’s cocoa (about 43%) is grown in poor African countries like Ivory Coast. Farming conditions here are dangerous, dirty, and extremely exploitive. Workers are commonly young boys who are paid very little…slavery is not uncommon.  

Similar to the Fair Trade movement that became popular with coffee, there are many Fair Trade sources of chocolate that are easily available and affordable. Instead of profit margin, Fair Trade products focus on community improvements, increased wages, and sustainable farming practices. Chocolate is definitely meant to be enjoyed, but not as at the expense of the third-world workers who help bring it to us.

So think twice about eating just any chocolate. Enjoy it in small amounts, and opt for a Fair Trade variety if available.

Joe Capitalism, Food and Nutrition Chocolate, Ivory Coast

Whenever I am talking with someone about buying organic produce, the conversation always turns to cost. And while it’s true that organic fruits and veggies tend to be more expensive than “conventional” varieties, it’s easy to buy produce without breaking the bank.

Eat in Season: As winter sets in many parts of the country, there aren’t as many local seasonal choices to choose from. But if you look hard you should be able to find items grown by local farmers. Winter vegetable varieties include lettuces, cabbage, garlic, onions, and carrots. Other veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and several varieties of greens are also grown during the colder fall and winter months. Buying foods that are in season means that you have a large variety to choose from, and prices are usually lower.

Buy Local: Produce that is grown locally is allowed to fully ripen before being picked. Vegetables that are shipped across the country (or overseas!) are usually harvested when still green and as a result lack some flavor and nutrients gained from ripening. There are many advantages of buying at local farmers markets, including tastier and cheaper veggies, less local pollution, and community support. I have often found vegetables that were raised organically at farmers markets for far cheaper than I could buy them at the local Publix (my nearest chain grocery store).

Start a Container Garden: Grow your own! If you have a backyard to use, then start a garden. If you live in an apartment or condo, grow fruits and veggies in containers around your place or on a balcony. Start-up costs like pots, soil, and seeds quickly pay for themselves when you harvest your veggies. I enjoyed tomatoes and two types of peppers this past summer. In total, the materials probably cost me about $20, and I probably got about 50 tomatoes and peppers from my container garden.  Buying those in a store would have cost me much more.

Don’t let the price of fresh, organic produce deter you from a healthy diet. If you look outside of the large grocery stores, organic options are usually available and affordable.

Joe Food and Nutrition Budget, Container Garden, Gardening, Produce