Wal-Mart Organics - Halfway There

Wal-Mart has introduced an organic line to its mix at only 10% higher cost than its regular line. This has even the greatest Wal-Mart haters grumbling kudos. But is it really all rosy?

While this new accessibility to organic food is helping the organic food industry to slough off its elitist stigma, it neglects the ethical dimension of the process.

Organic food is more than just food without fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. It is also an approach to food, and animals. While organic farmers have traditionally used animals that were local, and well-treated, Wal-Mart will reintroduce some of the captive and inhumane methods used in traditional livestock farming. In other words, they will piggyback on the goodwill of an organic label to sell food that comes from less-than-desirable conditions.

This is an education and awareness issue, but nonetheless it is positive to see healthier food become universally accessible.