The Problem of Choice - Essay Example

?The term ‘food miles’ indicates the distance a food item has travelled from its place of origin to a supermarket’s shelf. It is one of the benchmarkfactor to calculate the carbon emission that largely contributes to the global warming. As the globalization has expanded; virtually there are no borders associated with the international trade. It is now possible to find out of season fruits and vegetables all year around. The awareness about the emission of green house gases, has increased the demand of organic food especially in the European and American consumer markets. Farmers are attracted to bring their products in these markets due to considerable price difference compared to conventionally grown products. There is an argument if it is ethical for business community to overlook the environmental damage cause by the transportation of food from thousands of miles away, consume fossil fuels and cause green house gases. On the other hand people argue that the imported organic food items creats much of the CO2 at its production site. For instance, lamb imported from New Zealand produce around 1500 pounds of CO2 per ton while the same produce four times if raised in Britain. Since I am an staunch supporter of importing items from other countries, it is important to make one understnd that carbon emission is not the only reason for global warming issue. Other factors, which economists term as ‘factors inputs and externalities’, like use of fertilizers, packaging disposals, irrigation methodology, use of different types of transportations etc. are also considered while using ‘Food Mile Calculator’, a technique to quantify the carbon emission footprints. Secondly, growing population of the world has made it impossible to feed through local grown production. Therefore, rather an effort to control the obsession for food of our consumers, go beyond the borders, utilize naturally fertile lands and provide sustainable products irrespective of the season. The new deal drafted by World Trade Organization is helping new economies to emerge. It ensures that trade balance does not fall in favor of rich countries only. Countries like Indonesia and Bangladesh with huge populations are discouraged to depend only on American and European economic aids, and adopt ‘catch-up’ policies to reduce their trade deficit. The Soil Association (UK) voices for the “food miles” labelling system but insists that it is not trying to stop air-freight, produces more carbon dioxide than any other tansportation means. Reseachers believe that concentrating only on air-freighted products, that constitutes only 0.5% of the global production (Soil Association), will hurt the economic efforts to build local economies of the under-developed countries. I can, therefore, confidently state that the real issue is not about the global warming but the accessibility of our consumers to a sustainable organic product and information about the economic and social impact of intercontinental world trade. Despite of freedom of choice, more environmental friendly and financial boost that each “food mile” brings to the international communities, people stand against it. I am not against the local producers, but people tends to be over conscious when it comes to air-freighted food. Of course, it does not bring the price down, but makes it possible to offer the food they like when it is not being home grown. The availability of such items gives an added-value to the supermarkets and for that businesses are entirely elligible to add increased cost of transportation and logistics. For instance, locally grown British broccoli, available only from February to April, is much cheaper than the Zimbabwean purple broccoli, available through out the year. Personally, I would prefer ‘food miles’ labels tagged rather denying our consumers from having healthy food choices, just because of a false notion. This is unethical business practice and does not help the local as well as international societies in any way possible. There are several supply chain modules adopted by large supermarkets but not all of them are rated best by the latest supermarket consumer guide. Most of them are feeling intense pressure by consumer watch agencies and activists and trying their level best to provide more information about the products. As a supply chain manager I would go beyond the first tier supplier to know the practices and if they are following the regulations outlined by the government. Supply chain policies are susceptible to the ethical purchasing practices. It is advisable to publicize the adopted policies to enhance our business credibility. It is more important nowadays to let our customers know that we are the ‘greenest’ by stocking ‘eco-friendly’ products up front. The company need to closely monitor recent research findings to compete with other supermarkets that are violating ethical values such as less wages, longer serving times etc. In the last ten years large superstores have grown their market share to almost double. We need to refrain ourselves from forcing our suppliers to provide cheaper products that will in turn effects all the way up to the farm workers. We need to buy our customers’ loyalty by informing them not only about the product itself but also about the legal economic practices leaving negative impact on the society. The top company management also needs to carefully notice large acquisitions or mergers around them and its impact on the retail businesses. Co-op also needs to find best alternatives and reduce its energy consumption, reduce packaging waists and other renewable energy resources. Supermarket business is all about reduced prices and increased savings to the customers but some of the market leaders have been found in mal-practices of making higher profits. We need to educate our customers that quality does not come cheap. Those who claim to be ‘greener’ and yet offering lower prices, are either hiding information from the buyers and involved in bullying their competitors or pushing suppliers against the wall. Co-op will adopt a policy that will ask from its suppliers to reduce effects of transportation on climate, recycle the packaging waste and support sustainable farming. We can be more competitive by offering a wide variety of organic food items that most of the supermarkets ignore. Being the local store, Co-op will store local products at a convenient place and thus supports the idea to grow more locally. Co-op will continue its policy towards ‘fair trade’ products and increase such products. Co-op will initiate ‘green club’ to increase community awareness about the organic food, sustainable and fair-trade products. Co-op will also help the local farmers and growers Citation McWilliams, J,E 2007, ‘Food That Travels Well’ nytimes.com, viewed 23 May 2011, Stewart, H 2011, ‘The west may be declining, but the rest of the world looks ready for a 40-year boom’ guardian.co.uk, viewed 23 May 2011, Macalister, Terry 2008, ‘Co-op clashes with organic group over CO2 and food miles’, guardian .co.uk, viewed 23 May 2011, Blythman, J 2007, ‘Food miles: The true cost of putting imported food on your plate’, independent.co.uk, viewed 23 May 2011, http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/green-living/food-miles-the-true-cost-of-putting-imported-food-on-your-plate-451139.html ‘Ethical buyers' guide to Supermarkets’ 2003, ethicalconsumer.org, viewed 23 May 2011, Read More