As part of this weeks CTWW (Change the World Wednesday) Challenge by Small Footprints, we were to become activists…calling out stores and eateries who need to improve packaging or practices that are harmful to the environment. Well this challenge could not have come at a better time for me. Most of you know that I do not purchase new plastic. I feel that its leaching effects as well as its role in landfill cluttering, and plastic production are too damaging, so I simply avoid it at all costs.
Just sent the below email to Henry’s Market, my favorite local health food/natural grocery store, who has recently been bought out by a larger health food chain, Sprouts.
Hi there,
I’ve been a loyal customer for the 8 years that I’ve lived in San Diego. I am also a green-advocate. I do not purchase plastic containers, I shop the bulk bins and reuse my own containers to do so. I’ve always been supported by Henry’s staff and truly appreciate the deli workers who use deli paper without plastic (like they do at Sprouts.)
My weekly shopping routine includes purchasing 2 cooked chickens at your store. They have always come in eco-friendly biodegradable brown bags. Until yesterday when I was shocked and disappointed to find them in plastic domes. I was told that this is the new norm because that is what Sprouts does. I will no longer be purchasing chickens from your store if I am forced to get them in a large unnecessary plastic container, that can leach chemicals into the food (it is known to do this with temperature changes…as in a hot chicken under a heating device).
I would like to make it noted that I do not shop at Sprouts for the simple reason…they push plastic on me. I ask the deli to use paper…they say that the meat will get “squished”. After they finally agree to use paper I get home to find that it has been wrapped in plastic and then put into paper. Wrapping meat in paper is basic meat handling and should not need to be explained by a customer. The baggers also try to wrap all fragile items in plastic bags when I have provided ample reusable cloth bags for this. The plastic domes holding the chickens was the ultimate straw for me to discontinue visitting Sprouts. I would hate to stop shopping at Henry’s because I feel that your bulk shopping is the best around and I make that known to the followers of my website. Http://www.clothdiaperingmama.com .Please let me know if there is anything I can do about these chickens.
Thanks,
Jessica Lang
I will let you all know as soon as they respond. It may seem like an over-reaction, to some of you, about the domes…but it seems like a step in the WRONG direction for a store that I appreciate due to its ease of green shopping.
Have any of you spoken up about a harmful practice in a local business?
Update: I have received an amazing response from the store manager…please see below…I knew it was my favorite store for a reason!
Hi Jessica,
Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know about your concern, and for the nice compliments on my Deli and Bulk departments here in Poway! I truly appreciate your loyal patronage over the past 8 years and will do my best to continue to earn that loyalty.
I suppose I should start by letting you know that since Henry’s and Sprouts have merged, the combined company has been, and will continue to evaluate all of our programs from both sides so that we can offer our customers what we believe is the best of both.
Concerning the plastic chicken containers… I am happy to inform you that the plastic containers you found while here the other day were simply part of a test we were asked to conduct on how well they maintain a “food safe” temperature versus the paper bags and that you will be happy to see that your favorite rotisserie chickens are now back on display in paper bags. I have not been informed of any changes in packaging aside from this short test at this time. I’m sorry that the employee you spoke with gave information otherwise, but they may have just made an assumption. I can’t say for sure which direction the new company will decide to go with in the end, but can assure you that I will forward your concern with mine to the category manager so that they can properly evaluate all aspects of the program before coming to a final decision.
Please know that regardless of which direction the company goes concerning the rotisserie chicken packaging that I am committed to making sure you are satisfied. If they should decide for some reason to eventually discontinue our paper packaging, I would be happy to have your chickens wrapped in paper for you so that you can continue to enjoy our wonderful rotisserie chickens without compromising your commitment to not purchasing new plastic.
Thanks again for taking the time out of your busy day to let me know how we can better serve you. I know that you left the other day without your chicken, so I owe you 1! Please feel free to send an address where I can mail a gift card to you as a small thank you for your time and so you can get your next chicken on us! Feel free to contact me directly if there is any way I can be of assistance in the future.
Have a great day!
Bob B.
Store Manager
Thanks so much, Bob and Henry’s/Sprouts! Look forward to my next chicken…lol!!!
20 comments
3 pings
Small Footprints says:
June 28, 2011 at 12:37 pm (UTC -8)
Yay!! I love your letter … it is polite but firm! I hope that they get the message!! I'm always speaking up or writing letters … I seem "driven" to do so. I operate under the philosophy that they won't know until we tell them. One of my more successful campaigns was when we attended our state fair several years ago and saw that all the food vendors were using Styrofoam to serve their menu items. Eeewwww! So I wrote a letter to the organizers asking them to make a change. The next year, I couldn't find Styrofoam … and believe me, I looked. I can't say that it was my letter but … for whatever reason, they made a change. So I wrote back to them congratulating them on making a positive green change. I personally believe that speaking up has great power … and when you toss in your purchasing dollar … well, the power is increased dramatically. Can't wait to find out what their answer is!
ithoughtiknewmama says:
June 28, 2011 at 12:55 pm (UTC -8)
AWESOME!! Good for you! Love it! I can't wait to hear the response!
My recent post How My Mom Saved My Smile
Jessica_Lang says:
June 28, 2011 at 10:28 pm (UTC -8)
No response yet! I tweeted it to henry's and sprout's…hoping someone cares enough to respond.
teresa says:
June 28, 2011 at 1:54 pm (UTC -8)
Wow. I don't think it's an over reaction at all. I think you're brilliant. The letter is perfect, thoughtful and direct. Nothing exaggerated or overly dramatized.
I kind of feel like I'm over reacting to this post because I feel almost tearful (deep down, not really crying– and I am severely PMS-ing…) At any rate, I love that you sent the letter and I'm really curious to hear what they say. It seems so simple to keep the brown bags and maybe even change over the whole chain of Sprouts to do the same!
I feel like I haven't been here forever.. I've missed it, and you.
My recent post Too young for law school?
Kelly says:
June 28, 2011 at 3:38 pm (UTC -8)
Wow Jess you are amazing! An inspiration for sure – how awesome would it be if they went back to using bags for the chicken because of you!
Thanks for sharing your letter – I look forward to hearing their response.
My recent post Monday Menu ~ 6/27/11
Jessica_Lang says:
June 28, 2011 at 10:19 pm (UTC -8)
Kelly…I just really hope they go back to the bags… I was actually in shock when my husband came over to me in my bulk shopping extravaganza and said, "The chickens are in plastic." I thought he was joking because he knows my thoughts on chickens in plastic! Thanks for being a great friend and support (even though I have been not visiting anyone's blog lately…working much more now.) xoxo
Kelly says:
June 29, 2011 at 12:43 pm (UTC -8)
Hey – no worries about the blog visits mama! There's a time and season for everything, right?
I hope you get your bags back, too. I would think it would cost them less money than plastic anyway!
My recent post Love Letter For a Bean – June 2011
Michelle says:
June 28, 2011 at 5:38 pm (UTC -8)
Jess,
I am inspired by your letter and althgough I make food choices based on packaging, i have yet to speak to a retailer about any isssues I may have. I think your letter sends a strong message! it is not only well written, citing specific examples, but it shows that you "mean business!" I had always brought my own containers for leftovers when dining out, stopped for a long time and now am back to doing so. I love the idea about the deli meat. I ask for it in the wax paper too. (sometimes they listen, sometimes not !) I never accept styrofoam-HOW people still use this disturbs ME! My mom shops locally too and her butcher puts her meat aside and then she puts in her own glass containers when she picks it up. That's customer service! I love your initiatives and look to be MORE "active" about carrying out my beliefs!
My recent post R.W. Knudsen Sparkling Concord Grape Juice Review/Giveaway
Jessica_Lang says:
June 28, 2011 at 10:15 pm (UTC -8)
Michelle,
So your mom is a greenie too, huh? Mine is, as well…we are equally saddened by our society's over use of plastic and packaging. I honestly wouldn't be able to follow through so much without her encouragement. You should HEAR our conversations…you guys would love it…green bliss! Thanks for the support
Jessica_Lang says:
June 28, 2011 at 10:27 pm (UTC -8)
Teresa! Thank you so much for that comment.
It is sad…honestly, I go out of my way to be kind to the earth and to provide the utmost healthy food choices for my family…and to have come across eco-regression like that due to corporate leadership is almost humiliating in a way because I will not and could not purchase a chicken in a plastic dome…its just not in me. For you to say it caused emotion in you leads me to feel that 1) you are a very empathetic person and 2) I am definitely right to speak up, speak for the other green advocates and speak for the health of my family. Thank you!!!
Jessica_Lang says:
June 28, 2011 at 10:32 pm (UTC -8)
Okay, the fact that the fair actually stopped using styrofoam…amazing!!!!!! LOVE IT! California is actually trying to ban styrofoam in restaurants…I would be so happy, maybe just the fact that it will be on the balet will make people more eco-conscious and aware of the effects of one-time use products. Thank you so much for the challenge…I know that will not be the last time I send an email to a business! I often speak up to the cashiers…but they always look at me like I'm asking them a question in a foreign language…and usually I'm too busy telling them to take back their plastic bags anyway.
Jessica_Lang says:
June 29, 2011 at 10:42 am (UTC -8)
I have received a response after tweeting this article to @Sprouts_CA
"@clothmamajess It's a fair point about the domes and our deli manager knows of it now. Your own bags at check-out should always be welcome." Still no email response from the actual store. I am grateful for whoever is responsible for their social marketing that I was heard via twitter. Now lets see what happens…
Jessica_Lang says:
June 29, 2011 at 2:28 pm (UTC -8)
Have received the above email from the store manager, Bob! He has cleared the whole thing up for me…and is sending me a gift card! This is why I love that store
Please see the updated blog post for his suprising response!
Jessica_Lang says:
June 29, 2011 at 9:59 pm (UTC -8)
Thanks, Kelly!! I have gotten another email from him since…I am one very satisfied customer…feeling validated and HEARD!
Randall E. Winn says:
June 30, 2011 at 7:28 am (UTC -8)
It's inspiring and encouraging to see that your letter had a good reaction. Congratulations not only for doing this but also for showing us how to succeed!
My recent post Activism Fun: a Change The World Wednesday Challenge
Jessica_Lang says:
July 2, 2011 at 7:42 pm (UTC -8)
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I know have some other stores I need to contact…Whole foods is next on my list…love them…but they could do better!!!
Kris says:
June 30, 2011 at 12:18 pm (UTC -8)
Wow! What an amazing response! Thanks to you taking the time to notify the company of your thoughts and feelings. Fingers crossed they continue to NOT use plastic.
My recent post Catalog Choice – I'm loving it
Jessica_Lang says:
July 2, 2011 at 7:43 pm (UTC -8)
Thanks Kris! I really hope they stay away from the domes as well…heated plastic does not belong in a health food store. Stay tuned!
@MummyinProvence says:
July 1, 2011 at 2:47 am (UTC -8)
Good job mama for taking the time to write and then update us all on the response.
My recent post Love Bites: Breastfeeding and Teeth
Jessica_Lang says:
July 2, 2011 at 7:43 pm (UTC -8)
Thanks so much MiP!! We have to change this world grass roots style…even if its one email at a time!
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