Whole Foods Ethical Dilemmas

Keeping consumers happy is the greatest challenge faced by industries in a capitalist market. In a social system where the means of production are based on the needs and wants of its consumers, it is detrimental for the corporations of a capitalist system to attentively listen, and comply, to the demands of their buyers. The demands of consumers have been perpetually transforming for centuries, and these changes can be seen in every industry today, such as the poultry production industry, for example. The majority of the poultry producers have used the same process to raise their Broiler chickens, a specific breed of chicken made to be fast-growing and feed efficient, since the 1960’s (Elfic). The chickens are raised in cages that meet the

More and more companies are starting to seek opportunities in the market, since it has such a great potential for profit. “A fast-growing cohort of companies … including Whole Foods Market and Panera Bread, are demanding meat from [ethically raised] chickens” to appeal to their consumer's new demands (Strom “A Chicken That”). Whole Foods, in particular, has been the only minor retail-sale grocer that has started majorly promoting healthier chicken alternatives in their store. Many nationwide grocers have been skeptical to make this leap, since they are still unaware of the benefits. Because of this, many major chicken suppliers, excluding Purdue, have been hesitant to test out free-range systems (Strom “A Chicken That”). As soon as large-scale grocers start to demand higher-quality meat from their suppliers, then producers will be forced to be more responsible for raising their livestock. Making this demand of its producers will be beneficial to the entire industry, because it will allow for a larger profit to be made. Retail-sale companies that have already switched over to ethically raised alternatives have done so to promote a positive brand image in response to videos released by animal activists, such as the one described above (Shields). Switching over to ethically raised chicken alternatives allows brands to advertise a healthier alternative than its competitors. This has a positive

Companies can sit around all day, running studies trying to convince their heads about how ethically raised chicken is beneficial to them, but unless they take action, it was all for nothing. American supermarkets have so much to gain from exploring the free-range chicken market, such as increased profits, to a larger loyal consumer base. Plus, supermarkets that decide to switch to this system of raising chickens will see a great improvement in company image. As the late leader of the Indian Independence Movement, Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. While Gandhi fought long ago for the independence of the Indian people, supermarkets can now fight for the humane treatment of chickens. Supermarkets have all the reasons to switch too, so its time they finally take the stand and change the way we approach raising