So we went grocery shopping at Wal-Mart today. I typically don't go to Wal-Mart because even though I'm not above throwing away my aluminum cans, using paper plates for almost all three meals, and actually buying my own food and furniture (God bless Oprah for introducing me to Fregans), I am aware enough to know that Wal-Mart is really a bad idea for our entrepreneurial society. But today as I roamed the aisles of Wal-Mart in search of the cheapest bottled water I could find (the irony is not lost on me) I noticed that Wal-Mart is really trying to change my impression of them. They are selling "green" cleaners and a surprisingly large selection of organic items. They also are selling cage-free eggs.
Yes, that's right folks. Cage-free eggs. I really can't help but giggle thinking of this campaign to free the eggs, as if the eggs are themselves living in tiny little cages that are so small that they can't even develop the muscles in their little egg legs. Heehee.
Of course what the product is really endorsing is eggs from chickens that are not raised in cages. Ever since Mom briefly dated a chicken farmer, I can't shake the image of hundreds of dirty chickens in one cage just waiting to become my Tyson boneless skinless breast. So there I was in Wal-Mart faced with the option of buying normal eggs or the box that screamed in big letters "CAGE FREE". Come on, people! I had to spend 50 cents more to help a chicken out. The only bad thing about this experience is that I am so totally aware that they were playing to my compassionate side...and they won. Phooey on marketing; I'm a sucker.
Yes, that's right folks. Cage-free eggs. I really can't help but giggle thinking of this campaign to free the eggs, as if the eggs are themselves living in tiny little cages that are so small that they can't even develop the muscles in their little egg legs. Heehee.
Of course what the product is really endorsing is eggs from chickens that are not raised in cages. Ever since Mom briefly dated a chicken farmer, I can't shake the image of hundreds of dirty chickens in one cage just waiting to become my Tyson boneless skinless breast. So there I was in Wal-Mart faced with the option of buying normal eggs or the box that screamed in big letters "CAGE FREE". Come on, people! I had to spend 50 cents more to help a chicken out. The only bad thing about this experience is that I am so totally aware that they were playing to my compassionate side...and they won. Phooey on marketing; I'm a sucker.
