Then I moved to Boston where they do not have Wal-mart for some reason (scared of unions?). In my withdrawals, I would travel to the distant suburbs to get my Wal-mart fix until it just became too much of a hassle.

Moved back to TX and got re-introduced to Wal-mart after shopping at mom & pop stores for so long – which are far from perfect despite what some may claim. I loved the convenience of getting “mainstream” stuff at low prices, but that only held me for so long. I just got tired of the crowds, the parking lot chaos, the ghetto feel to it, the lines, attitudes, etc.

So, I’ve pretty much kicked the WM habit now. It looks like I’m not alone here. I think Albertson’s is a good compromise for my taste – big enough to keep prices in check and offer nice services, but not massive where you feel like just another brainless consumer.

Of course, in the future, as more people return to traditional city neighborhoods, places like this will hopefully start springing up around Fort Worth:

http://fortworthology.com/2008/12/30/urban-grocery-an-austin-example/

Of course I hope Europeans would never fall for this kind of situation. It’s one of the great domestic policy ironies that they are healthier than we are and yet we spend far more on health care. The reason is obvious: our livestyle is bad for us, the food is addictive, we drive everywhere … well I won’t go on a general rant.

I go to class every Saturday morning right across the street from FW Farmer’s market. I’ll try to go there this weekend and get everyone an update. I wrote on it last at

http://www.fwrenaissance.com/want-to-shop-local-vendors-for-organic-products-your-answer-is-cowtown-farmer%e2%80%99s-market/

Sonja

LOL. Indeed, I just learned about a family who goes out for dinner four times a week, but since they can’t afford much, they frequent the least expensive places – with the worst kind of food, you can imagine. Needless to say, if they did cook they would be eating much better for much less money.

If you would like an international perspective, food in this country is probably the smallest proportion of a family’s budget; it’s already one of the cheapest relative to income. So you are right – let’s not diminish it further by trying to spend even less on it while disregarding its quality.

There are some everyday expenses that are pretty flexible. However, food quality is non negotiable for me. It’s something that goes into your body. You can be dressed in cheap clothes, have one car per family or use public transportation, choose free entertainment, not go on vacation, but you can’t eat junk.

You are so right, shopping at local establishment is good for the community, too! I have decided to check out FW Farmer’s Market, although Saturday morning is a bit difficult for me

Basides, they might have a better selection of beers for Joe!