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thread: Ethical choices when shopping - how do you decide?

  1. #19
    Registered User

    Jun 2008
    in the eye of a toddler tornado
    2,450

    As I said in the organic thread, I DO.NOT.BUY. fruit, veges or meat from the supermarket because of the way supermarket chains treat farmers and producers. As far as companies go I'm a bit clueless but we aren't really buying much in the way of food from the supermarket these days.

  2. #20
    Registered User

    Aug 2008
    Ouiinslano
    5,303

    All our fresh food comes from the farmers' market
    We have a dude, Johnno, who grows on his property not too far away. His food is all organic, and comes straight from the source, no middle man involved. We buy whatever he's got first, then "fill in the gaps" from a Cambodian market gardener at the same market, whose produce is SO fresh, but maybe not organic.
    We go without a shopping list, and just buy whatever looks amazing. It forces us to be more creative in the kitchen, and ensures that we are getting a variety of fresh foods in season.

    P.S. Bath, I didn't mean to make you feel bad about the free/fair trade thing! I used to mix them up ALL the time too!

  3. #21
    Registered User

    Jul 2005
    Rural NSW
    6,975

    LOL snuggly... I actually disagree with a lot of the Free trade laws and policies in the world... I knew the difference... like you said they are often totally opposite concepts that's why I was embarrassed... not because of your reminder darl

  4. #22
    Registered User
    Add Kazbah on Facebook Follow Kazbah On Twitter

    Sep 2006
    Dandy Ranges ;)
    7,526

    I buy most often from either farmers' markets, or for coffee etc, I'll buy from the local organic shop or the fairtrade shop. And cause they are local to me, I walk and negate some of the food miles.

    I also keep a booklet of ethical choices in my handbag if I do go into coles or woolies etc.

  5. #23
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    1,488

    Firstly, we do not buy products that contain animal products or are tested on animals.

    I also try to buy organic. We shop at our local farmers market on a weekly basis, for fruit and veg. Some is organic, some isn't organic but may be 'spray free'. We have a small vegie garden at home with herbs, tomatoes, beans, capsicums, green leafys.

    Sometimes it is hard to weigh up all the ethical considerations, like SB said - overseas & organic vs non-organic and local. And I do have my own 'most despised' companies, like Nestle and Gillette. I do aim to buy fair trade choc, but i have succumbed to buying Lindt on occasion

    I was also a bit dismayed to discover that some of my MCN are made in China. I had naively assumed that they were made in Aus as the companies were based in Aus. I had assumed that they were home-based businesses I love how the companies say something like 'made with love in ...' or 'ethically made in ...' What about the transport miles!?

    I also buy the least toxic variety of things, eg. 'natural' toothpaste (I know, I know, I should just use bi-carb like I used to), bicarb and vinegar for cleaning, etc.

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