January 20, 2011
Michelle Obama spoke today standing in front of fresh produce at a WalMart. She talked about the initiative that WalMart will undertake to make healthy food more accessible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwMsh8vaYvE
WalMart will reduce the sodium in their products and get rid of products with trans fats. They will lower the prices for fresh fruits and vegetables. In short, they will work to make it possible for more of us to afford to eat healthy… Let’s hope it is a model that others follow…
I think that what Wal-Mart is doing is a great thing. Do i think the way they went about it by using Mrs. Obama is a good way to go about it, not really, but on behalf of wal-marts side it was very smart. Using such a big icon like the first lady is definately a way of opening the eyes of the American people. I think the overall cause that wal-mart is going for is great in lowing the prices of their healthier foods. It has been proven that obesity is becoming a growing problem in the United States so what better way to start changing that by lowering the prices of healthy foods. Social justice takes place with this action by now allowing all different social classes to have the full and equal oportunity of purching healthier foods and having a chance to clean up their health life.
The overall idea that wal-mart is going for is great in my eyes. I just purchased a number of fruits and veggies at wal-mart the other night and will continue to definately keep buying them if these prices continue to stay low.
Touching on what other people have mentioned earlier in this blog the main point which I can agree with is that it is up to the customers of Wal-Mart themselves to stick to a healthier eating lifestyle.
Wal-Mart and Mrs. Obama cannot physicaly feed all of Wal-Marts shoppers and it is on the shoppers alone to stick to their new eating style. Everything is leaning towards more families and others adopting to Wal-Mart and Mrs. Obama’s message which as of now is a positive thing.
Wal-Mart in my mind is one of the top grocery stores in the country. They have to be extremely excited about what is to become of their newest products because they have used one of the most influential women, and mother, Michelle Obama to be their spoke and support figure.
Wal-Mart is touching on what has now become one of the most important diseases in all of America which is obesity. Wal-Mart being as popular as they are and with the help of Mrs. Obama they can encourage all Wal-Mart shoppers to eat healthy. Not only are they supporting a healthier eating lifestyle they are allowing their customers to eat in at home and maybe save some money.
Caroline,
I agree with you on the fact that what Wal-Mart is doing on obesity is a great achievement for the United States. In my post I had mentioned basically all positive things with this blog. Which is why I like what you had to say because for most people, they really do not take a step back and really think to themselves what is going to actually happen. Yes, its great Wal-Mart is doing this, but it’s really only up to the people themselves to make a change when it comes to obesity. I also like how you had mentioned a few questions at the beginning on your post about if Wal-Mart just hire a very talented publicist to help them represent. It’s a great question to think about when you sit back and realize all the behind the scenes action that may have gone on. Overall I like how you kind of looked at both sides to this blog and presented an argument for both standpoints.
Caroline,
I am siding with you on if Wal-Mart is taking a truely honest approach to advertising their new cause. By bringing in Mrs. Obama is Wal-Mart just trying to win over the American people because she is the first lady? A power political figure who is more then likely very influencial to many Americans. Either way Wal-Mart is very smart for using her to get their new message across, and if Wal-Mart is truely trying to help Americans change thier lives by getting people to eat more fruit and veggies, then my hat is off to them. I mean heck I shop at Wal-Mart and will definately hang out in the fruit and veggie section much more.
Because Wal-Mart is such a huge aspect on millions and millions of people’s lives throughout the country, I find this issue to be very beneficial for all. Wal-Mart already is known for “cheaper” prices than your other standard stores. Especially with the food section in Wal-Mart, many people may shop there for all the groceries that they need. Now with their new low prices on fruits and vegetables, more people are able to eat healthier if they choose to do so. Wal-Mart does an excellent job with using such a powerful icon, Michelle Obama. Michelle Obama draws in the attention of millions, which may open the eyes of many people who may not be in the best shape. They see this huge icon talking about how Wal-Mart is lowering their prices on healthy food which to me will draw in many customers. I also felt this was a great article because it had mentioned that more and more companies will most likely fall in line with Wal-Mart and lower their prices on healthy food as well. Social justice plays a part with this because when Wal-Mart lowers their prices on healthy food, everyone has an equal chance at obtaining these foods. Some may say that we already have an equal chance at obtaining these foods, but when you think of the lower class families, they really do need this benefit. Also with obesity such a problem in today’s society, people are more likely to buy something healthier than normal. When it comes to procedural justice, Wal-Mart customers will have a fair chance when it comes to these foods and necessities. Overall I think that what Wal-Mart is doing with the new low prices will only benefit its customers. I also liked how they had used such a powerful icon, Michelle Obama.
I agree with the both of you. I believe Michelle Obama had a lot to do with the amount of media converge that was representing the new Wal-mart campaign for healthy eating. The Wal-mart campaign also goes nicely with Michelle Obama’s campaign of fixing childhood obesity. Together Michelle Obama and Wal-mart are making an ethical and procedural justice move to better the American market place.
Wal-Mart taking a stand on obesity in the United States is a great achievement, but you have to take a step back and ponder about the ethical stand point Wal-mart is trying to take. Did Wal-Mart hire a very talented publicist to help represent Wal-mart to their highest potential or are they actually out to honestly help American citizens? All- in- all, I do not believe it matters for this is a huge step for the way Americans eat.
Finally, a large organization is taking the first step to help the American population, and social justice has risen. This change in a healthier market place cannot be cheap, and Wal-mart taking the initiative to adjust their products for every economic level is a great example for another companies. An individual person may be able to protest the market place but might not be very affective. With a powerful company as Wal-mart other marketplaces will have to adapt to the new procedure.
I just hope with the new Wal-mart philosophy people will adjust to healthier eating styles. Just because Wal-mart is being proactive about health in America, the American society needs to take action as well. The tools are being presented to America, but the knowledge of the importance of healthy eating is lacking. America now has the physical tools for healthy eating but the educational aspects of healthy eating now need to be addressed.
Kori,
I agree also with how using Michelle Obama increases a crowd in the communication field. It was a extremely smart move on their part in incorporate a political figure when going public about the issue like you mentioned. Whether the political figure is republican or democrat, the power alone behind the political figure is enough to influence millions of people.
Although Ophrah isn’t a political figure she is a prime example of how the degree of your popularity and creditability can cause thousands and sometimes millions of people to adopt your views. Wal-Mart is heading in the right direction with the fight against obesity here in America.
Ahjine,
I like how you spoke up about not only the ones who are all for Wal-Mart, but also the ones who are not. It is a reality slap about obesity and I am still shocked that some people do not recognize it. Our responses on social justice were also similar. Communicating equality in social and political aspects is difficult because obviously people have different views, values, and interpretations.
When it comes to trying to address the national concern of obesity, there will always be issues surrounding it. By having a huge corporation such as Wal-Mart take control and say that they are personally taking this into their own hands kind of eliminates so ethical concerns that maybe would of been present. Also by having Michelle Obama represent and speak on their behalf, boosts their creditability and reach out more to the people. On the other side of the spectrum, you have people who despise Wal-Mart and think that Wal-Mart is never for the interest of the people and will always see advances such as this as a question of ethics.
This relates to social justice because Wal-Mart is showing its concern for the obesity problem in America and recognizes that they should take part in trying to help out these fellow Americans. They also realize that the cost of healthier foods tends to be higher, so it’s only fair to lower the prices of these foods so that everyone has equal access to them.
This then leads into procedural justice regarding the pricing of the foods. In order for everyone to engage in healthy eating, the pricing of the healthy foods should be priced fairly for everyone to enjoy.
..yes.. nicely put…
WalMart, already one of the highest used stores in the country, now has added another aspect to their value, first lady Michelle Obama. By using Mrs. Obama, WalMart draws in more of a crowd in the communication field to display their message of healthier and cheaper foods to come their way. With the United States having the highest obesity rates, companies need all the political help they can get.
Social justice is integrated throughout WalMarts plan in the sense that WalMart wants the availability of healthier foods to all of their customers at a price they can afford. Being sure that ALL types of customers (upper class to lower class) receive the same benefits to their health is important.
I believe WalMarts decision to bring forward healthier foods and decent prices is very much related to procedural justice as well. There is a fairness to the company as well as the customers. I feel that everyone can potentially be a winner because bringing in more customers helps WalMarts productivity and customers benefit not only because of their health, but because of their pockets.
I always crave fruit more in the winter. I suppose that’s because I know it’s harder to get! You know the principle~ always wanting more what you can’t have. Anyway, the grapes I just bought from WalMart yesterday were amazing….but VERY expensive! I hope they can follow through on lowering their prices! (I also would love to see more produce coming from THIS country, but that’s probably a whole different subject, huh? The grapes were from Peru.)