This past week, I set out to see where some of my favorite things are made and to what types of companies I have been giving my money. I quickly realized I have made some considerably inaccurate assumptions because I have never actually looked at tags, labels, and codes of ethics.
First glance...
I went to a dozen shoe stores around home and every single shoe is made in China. Okay, so that shouldn't have surprised me that much but, literally, EVERY SINGLE shoe is made in China. I thought I could find at least one pair of shoes made somewhere else - but no. (Fun fact: TOMS and BOBS are also made in China) I get it - production is cheaper overseas. However, I had this notion that outsourcing was still done by SOME companies trying to make faster money - not ALL. So after being completely unsuccessful at numerous chain stores, I started looking online for just ONE pair of great shoes I could be confident in buying. After hours of searching, I found extremely limited options for any shoes made in the United States. I've got to say, they were all kind of ugly? Or maybe grossly out-of-date is a better description. I won't even get into how bizarre it was when I tried to find a decent pair of high heels made in the US. (By decent I mean simple, classic pumps made by a good company.) Anyways, I realize that shoes made in other countries are not all made in sweatshops/bad conditions and that likewise, not all American-made products are free and clear of bad business practices either. However, the United States does tend to have much higher standards for labor laws and companies can also have a better handle on checking their production when their offices and factories are in the same country.
On another trip, I went to look at food. I chose The Fresh Market because I thought this higher-end grocery store would be more likely to have quality, wholesome food and US produce. I mean, what's more fresh than fruits and vegetables grown in the same country? Again, I was surprised at how little I knew. Even at this grocery store where items are more expensive, so much was from Chile and Mexico and other locations. Fresh?? I was also surprised at what I had missed before. Tons of fruit says 'made in the USA' or 'distributed by American farm...' on it, but then underneath in smaller type says, 'product of...another country'. Bummer! I LOVE fruit. And fruit from other countries is great! But I'm learning that the produce industry in other countries is notorious for unfair labor practices and slavery as well. (One recent example) So, I need to look into all of that further.
But, hey, the good news is that America is great at making snack foods! Haha, but really...that is apparently what we do best.
This brief, general look at types of things I buy has been very frustrating. Is it too much to ask for food and clothing to be sold in our modern marketplaces that is simply genuine and honest? I just want products that have a high guarantee they were made/harvested without stealing livelihood from someone else.
The global market...so cool...so many opportunities...and we've abused it!
Well, I'll end on a high note. When I was in The Fresh Market I did find some certified fair trade chocolate! (More on what 'certified fair trade' really means later) Pretty cool! You can believe it was EXPENSIVE for a bar of chocolate, but it was definitely worth it.
