supermarkets

i walked into one of the many supermarkets in the area this afternoon (this one happened to be a new 'giant' location). i was overwhelmed. it was huge. i stood at the entrance and didn't know what direction to walk in. i don't go into grocery stores very often. i get much of what i need from the farm and most everything else from local shops, including the local grocery store downtown, 'expressly local.' but this time, i just had such a feeling of being lost. so many choices. so much packaging. so many brands. why do we need all this?

as of 2000, the population in lancaster city was 55,000. there are currently 8 'giant' stores within a 10 mile radius of where i live in lancaster city. there are 11 weis stores. those are the 2 main grocery stores chains in the area. there are other sources of 'food' in the area - there is a save-a lot in the city and corner stores that sell processed food and drink. as of 2009, the population in edinburgh, scotland was 478,000. there are currently 4 sainsbury superstores, what we would consider a full size grocery store and 5 morrison's, another larger grocery store chain. that's it (as far as i remember and can find online). however, there are many small grocery stores throughout the city. sainsbury has what they call local stores and there is tesco and scotmid, as well as the ever forgotten useful corner store. there wasn't anything you couldn't find at the corner store at the end of my boyfriend's street. they don't just carry soda and chips, but produce, dairy, meat, fresh baked goods and packaged dry goods. the difference is the choices. you want canned peas with your carbonara? there you go. one brand. one size. take it or leave it. yes, it is nice to have choices sometimes, but do we really need so many and such large grocery stores? no wonder americans have gotten so removed from their food and where it comes from.

and just to make sure you caught that -

lancaster - population 55,000 with 19 full size grocery stores

edinburgh - population 478,000 with 9 full size grocery stores

another issue is the 'bigger is better' idea which also translates to more is better. last summer, my boyfriend and i went to a supermarket in lancaster in search of eggs. he said let's just get half a dozen, we don't need a whole dozen. ah. welcome to america. you buy a whole dozen whether you need it or not. got milk? half a gallon it is at the least. in europe you are welcome to buy a pint or quart of milk. their fridges wouldn't even fit a gallon of milk.

let's also not forget the lack of personal service is huge stores. no one knows who you are or what you normally buy. no sense of community will be found at supermarkets.