Secret Life of Groceries

Good Old Trader Joe

100

Joe was initially hired to stop Owl (a drugstore) from going under. He suggests copying this chain, but undercutting their prices, to break even.

What is 7-11?

200

When realizing the brand cannot compete with other markets, they shifted to unique, odd products, or organic branding to market to the "overeducated and underpaid". Why might this be an issue?

OPINIONS: Creates necessity for products that people don't necessarily need. Introduces shame for people who cannot afford marked-up organic products.

300

Trader Joe's promotes itself as a flagship for access to different products, but most of the items that are considered "a steal" are processed and frozen foods. Some of which are not inspected enough, leading to actual FDA workers calling the company this.

What is "Recall Joe's"?

Between Points A and B

100

While long-haul trucker jobs have good pay on paper, there are hundreds of reasons one may be docked pay on the job. The trucker in this book recounts estimating 200,000 dollars gross income, but only taking home 17,000 in a year. What are some "fines" she could be hit with?

Being late, not being fuel efficient enough. Not travelling the proper "capable estimate distance" in a day. Taking a different route. Product losses, that may or may not be the driver's fault.

200

Our truck driver, Lynne, said to never look a man in the eye while working. What did Lynne report to HR that garnered the response "maybe you misconstrued it"?

What is Sexual Harassment? 

300

Lynne hasn't seen her family in months due to not receiving routes that go near there. This is a common practice amongst the industry. What are some reasons that companies may not want their drivers to interact with their familes?

OPINION: Isolation leads to less people quitting or searching for other job opportunities. Locked in contracts and indentured servitude.

The Whole Truth

100

For products to be placed on shelves, they must pay a "slotting fee" which determines if and where the product is placed in stores. Why is this an issue?

OPINION: Less opportunity for competitive or new products. Monopoly control of food markets based on who has the most money. 

200

Supermarkets will expect people to be available for every possible shift, even if they only work a few shifts a week. How might this effect other opportunities for workers?

Open Ended: Unable to pursue other opportunities, less upward mobility. Fixed income without wiggle room.

300

As recounted by an employee, certain produce, watermelon, for example, is taken off shelves right before it rots. Instead of disposing of it, employees are asked to do this.

What is, bring it to the back room where a non-english speaking immigrant carves it up for pack-and-go containers to be sold to customers in a different format