#Cheapest Organic Grocery Store

[naturelandorganic]

Cheapest Organic Grocery Store Near Me

Natureland Organics is the epitome of an organic grocery store, offering a wide range of fresh and affordable products that cater to all your health-conscious needs. Walking through the aisles, you are greeted by vibrant displays of locally sourced fruits and vegetables, free from harmful pesticides and chemicals. The aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air, tempting you to indulge in their delicious selection of organic baked goods. The shelves are lined with various pantry staples, from whole grains to spices, all certified organic and ethically sourced. You can feel confident knowing that every item at Natureland Organics has been carefully selected to ensure quality and affordability for their customers. So why settle for anything less when you can shop at the cheapest organic grocery store near you?

More info: https://naturelandorganics.com/

[edaymart]

eDaymart.in's dedication to customer satisfaction is evident through its personalized approach. The store understands that every customer has unique preferences and dietary requirements.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Meatspace twiddling

I'm on tour with my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me next weekend (Mar 30/31) in ANAHEIM at WONDERCON, then in Boston with Randall "XKCD" Munroe (Apr 11), then Providence (Apr 12), and beyond!

"Enshittification" isn't just a way of describing the symptoms of platform decay: it's also a theory of the mechanism of decay – the means by which platforms get shittier and shittier until they are a giant pile of shit.

I call that mechanism "twiddling": this is the ability of digital services to alter their business-logic – the prices they charge, the payouts they offer, the particulars of the deal – from instant to instant, for each user, continuously:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/19/twiddler/

Contrary to Big Tech's own boasting about its operations, the tricks that tech firms play to siphon value away from business customers and end-users aren't very sophisticated. They're crude gimmicks, like offering a higher per-hour wage to Uber drivers whom the algorithm judges to be picky about which rides they'll clock in for, and then lowering the wage by small increments as a way of lulling the driver into gradually accepting a permanent lower rate:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/12/algorithmic-wage-discrimination/#fishers-of-men

This is a simple trick. The difference is that tech platforms like Uber can play it over and over, and very quickly. There's plenty of wage-stealing scumbag bosses who'd have loved to have shaved pennies off their workers' paychecks, then added a few cents back in if a worker cried foul, then started shaving the pennies again. The thing that stopped those bosses was the bottleneck of payroll clerks, who couldn't make the changes fast enough.

Uber plays crude tricks – like claiming that a driver isn't an employee because the control is mediated through an app – and then piles more crude tricks on top – this algorithmic wage discrimination gambit.

Have you ever watched a shell-game performed very slowly?

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-do-penn-tellers-famous-cups-and-balls-trick-in-12-steps

It's a series of very simple gimmicks, performed very quickly and smoothly. Computers are very quick and very smooth. The quickness of the hand deceives the eye: do crude tricks with superhuman speed and they'll seem sophisticated.

The one bright spot in the Great Enshittening that we're living through is that many firms are not sufficiently digitized to to these crude tricks very quickly. Take grocery stores: they can get up to a lot of the same tricks as Amazon – for example, they can charge suppliers for placement on the most prominent, easiest-to-reach shelves, reorganizing your shopping based on which companies pay the biggest bribes, rather than offering the best products and prices.

But Amazon takes this to a whole different level – beyond simply organizing their product pages based on payola, they do this for search. You ask Amazon, "What's your cheapest batteries?" and it lies to you. If you click the first link in a search-results page, you'll pay 29% more than you would if you got the best product – a product that is, on average, 17 places down on the results page. Amazon makes $38b/year taking bribes to lie to you:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/06/attention-rents/#consumer-welfare-queens

Amazon can do more than that. Thanks to its digital nature, it can continuously reprice its offerings – indeed, it can simply make up each price displayed on every product at the instant you look at it – based on its surveillance data about you, estimating your willingness to pay. For sellers, Amazon can continuously re-weight the likelihood that a given product will be shown to a customer based on the seller's willingness to discount their products, even to the point where they go out of business:

https://www.businessinsider.com/sadistic-amazon-treated-book-sellers-the-way-a-cheetah-would-pursue-a-sickly-gazelle-2013-10

Twiddling, in other words, lets digital services honeycomb their servers with sneaky wormholes that let them siphon value away from one kind of platform user and give it to another (as when Apple silently began spying on Iphone owners to create profiles for advertisers), or to themselves.

But hard-goods businesses struggle to do this kind of twiddling. Not for lack of desire – but for lack of capacity. Jeff Bezos, owner of Amazon Fresh – an online grocery store – can change prices and layout millions of times per day, at effectively zero cost. Jeff Bezos, owner of Whole Foods – a brick-and-mortar grocer – needs a army of teenagers on rollerskates with pricing guns to achieve a fraction of this agility.

So hard-goods businesses are somewhat enshittification-resistant. It's not that their owners are more interested in the welfare of their customers, workers and suppliers – they merely lack the capacity to continuously rejigger the way their business runs.

Well, about that.

Grocers have been experimenting with "electronic shelf labels" in order to do "dynamic pricing" – that means that prices change quickly, in response to circumstances:

https://www.npr.org/2024/03/06/1197958433/dynamic-pricing-grocery-supermarkets

This doesn't have to be bad! As @planetmoney points out, it's a little weird that grocers don't discount milk whose sell-by date is drawing near. That milk is worth less to shoppers, because they have to use it more quickly lest it expire. Instead of marking down the price of perishable goods – day-old lettuce, yesterday's bread, etc – grocers put them on the shelves next to fresher, more valuable products, leading to billions of dollars' worth of food-waste and and unimaginable quantities of methane-producing, planet-cooking landfill.

In Norway, ESLs are pretty well established and – at least according to Planet Money's reporting – they are used exclusively to offer discounts in order to reduce waste. They make everyone better off.

But towards the end of the story, they note that Norway's grocery sector – which alters prices up to 2,000 times per day – has been accused of using ESLs to rig prices, hiking them and blaming them on pandemic supply-chain problems and loose monetary policy. Greedflation, in other words.

Greedflation is rampant in the grocery sector, all around the world. Remember when the price of eggs doubled and they blamed in on bird-flu, even as the CEO of the one company that owns every egg brand you've ever heard of boasted about how he could hike prices and suckers would just pay it?

https://pluralistic.net/2023/01/23/cant-make-an-omelet/#keep-calm-and-crack-on

In Canada, grocers rigged the price of bread, the most Les-Mis-ass form of corporate crime you can imagine (do you want guillotines, Galen Weston? Because this is how you get guillotines):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_price-fixing_in_Canada

EU grocers – another highly concentrated industry – also collude to rig prices:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/17/how-to-think-about-scraping/

Which is all to say that while these companies don't have to use the twiddling capabilities that come with ESLs to enshittify their stores, we'd be pretty fucking naive to assume that they won't.

And here's the bad news: US grocers like Whole Foods (owned by Amazon, the company that wrote the enshittification playbook) are already experimenting with ESLs. So is Alberstons/Safeway, the massive, inbred conglomerate that has already demonstrated its passion for using twiddling to fuck over their workers:

https://knock-la.com/vons-fires-delivery-drivers-prop-22-e899ee24ffd0/

Economists love "price discrimination" – where prices change based on circumstance, trying to match the perfect price with the perfect customer. On paper, that sounds plausible: if I need a quart of milk for a recipe I'm making tonight and I get a 50% discount on some about-to-expire 2%, then everyone's better off. I get a discount and the grocer gets some money for milk they'd have to throw away at the end of the day.

But these elegant, self-licking ice-cream cones only emerge if the corporation offering the deal is constrained. Perhaps they're constrained by competition – the fear that you'll go elsewhere. Or perhaps they're constrained by regulation – the fear that they'll be punished if they use twiddling-tech to cheat you.

The grocery sector, dominated by a cartel of massive companies that routinely collude to rip us off, is not constrained by competition. And for years, regulators let them get away with ripping us off (though finally that might be changing):

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/21/us/politics/grocery-prices-pandemic-ftc.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ek0.t2Pr.g4n2usbxEcoa

For neoclassical economists, the answer to all this is "caveat emptor" – let the buyer beware. If you want to make sure that ESLs are only used to offer you discounts and not to gouge prices, all you need to do is note the price of everything you buy, every time you buy it, and triple-check it every time you go back to the grocery store. Just be eternally vigilant!

Thing is, the one thing computers are much better at than humans is vigilance. With ESLs and other twiddling mechanisms, you're a fish on a hook, and the seller is tireless in giving you a little more slack, then a little less, until you finally drop your guard.

Economists desperately want these elegant models to work, but "efficient market hypothesis" is a brain-worm that always turns into apologetics for fraud. Dynamic markets sound like a good idea, but they are catnip for cheaters. "Just be eternally vigilant" is miserable advice, and no way to live your life:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/24/passive-income/#swiss-cheese-security

In his brilliant novel Spook Country, @GreatDismal describes augmented reality as "cyberspace everting" – that is, turning inside-out:

https://memex.craphound.com/2007/07/31/william-gibsons-spook-country/

The extrusion of twiddling technology from digital platforms into the physical world isn't cyberspace everting so much as it is cyberspace prolapsing.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/26/glitchbread/#electronic-shelf-tags

[kia8088]

Title: In Passing

Author Note: I’m just a girl, missing writing RomComs. Enjoy, maybe!

Mangoes.

Rice.

Bread.

Pads.

She scanned over her list for the 37th time.

It was 4 things, so surely, her grocery trip should be no less than 20 minutes. It was supposed to be a quick trip in and out.

Hinata went to grab a shopping cart, searching for the smaller ones. It was her method to not over-shopping.

Mangoes.

Bread.

Rice.

Pads.

“Maybe I should pick up a few cucumbers,” mumbled the young woman, as her cart rolled into the store. Her senses were flooded with colors and smells of fruits and veggies. “No,” she coached herself.

Pads.

Bread.

Rice.

Mangoes.

She approached the array of fruits. Opal eyes scanned prices and any sign of a sale. Something about being poor really does put things in perspective. She scoffed at the organic sign and reached for two okay-looking mangoes.

“If the pesticide kill me before the climate, oh well,” she muttered, stuffing them in the available plastic bags. The tired woman rolled her shoulders and glanced up at the cucumbers—just for a second. There was a man standing there, placing 7 cucumbers in a bag.

Mentally, she was preparing to judge him until she saw his cart—which had multiple smaller carts in them.

He was one of the Delivery Shoppers. She just knew he was NOT giving the customer what they wanted.

Her giggle must have triggered him, he whipped his head over his shoulder. She was taken aback by how attractive his face was, despite the actual look of disgust.

Her lips parted and cheeks warmed in embarrassment. Suddenly her oversized shirt and no bra situation felt very silly. She quickly turned her cart and bumped directly into the banana section. She shrunk more into herself and to avoid turning around, she grabbed a bunch of bananas and sped her little cart away.

Mangoes.

Bread.

Rice.

Pads.

Bananas.

In reality, he may have not even noticed her. He may have been looking past her. In reality, no one probably even noticed her knocking into the Banana Bin and therefore, there was no need to panic buy.

But…

“Okay, okay,” she grumbled. “I could use 5 bananas. I like them. They’ll be great breakfast.”

Even though she never eats breakfast.

:::

Sasuke was just trying to make a bit of extra money. Naruto talked him into being a “InstaShopper.”

There he was standing there trying to figure out what a half of pound of cucumber weighed when he heard the girliest, pitchiest giggle.

He peered over his shoulder to see a girl. While it looked like she just slumped out of bed, she was…

…bumping into the Banana Bin.

He smirked as she drove her little cart around the corner. She was attractive but if he wasn’t technically “working” then he…

…would still not approach her because he wasn’t a creep and didn’t feel like going viral for attempting to bother a woman alone. He had class. He had manners. He…

“…five should be enough,” he assumed. Next on his list was hotdog buns. He popped one earphone in and continued his shopping.

:::

Hinata stood, arms folded. Must there be so many opinions of bread? Wheat. Honey Wheat. White. Whole Grain. Potato.

“Potato?” She squinted, leaning towards the words. “Since when…”

“Excuse me, ma’am,” said an employee.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” She moved her cart backwards and crashed into the one behind her. Hinata turned to apologize and saw it was Cucumber Guy again. “I…”

His face remained stoic. And beautiful. She touched her own cheeks in a sort of jealousy. She panicked once again: “Sorry, I didn’t mean to—“

“I…,” he started. “Need those buns.”

As the words left his lips, she witnessed his dark eyes widened. There was so much regret on his face, then in a split second, his face relaxed. He turned around without a word, without the buns and left the aisle.

Oh, that was…not suave.

She placed a loaf of the cheapest honey wheat bread in her cart and moved along. She needed to get out of this store before something silly and chaotic happens.

Mangoes.

Bread.

Rice.

Pads.

Bananas.

Luckily she ventured into the aisle with the rice without a hiccup. No signs of that cute cucumber-buns guy. She was almost done.

She swerved into the Care Aisle, and wished she had horse blinders because in truth—why not buy the toothpaste since she was already here. Oh, and soap. There would be no second trip if she also went ahead and got more shampoo. She’d be saving a trip, thus saving money. That’s girl math.

She finally got to the feminine care, grimaced at the prices before picking up her old faithful, no need to ponder, but she did dream of ruling the world and destroying The Pink Tax.

“I need a treat for sticking to my list,” decided Hinata.

Mangoes.

Bread.

Rice.

Pads.

Toothpaste.

Soap.

Shampoo.

…and bananas.

Yup, the list. She deserved a sweet treat. She smiled moving through the store, with an overwhelming sense of confidence. Opal eyes lifted to the signs above and noticed “Water, Wine and Beer.”

She needed a glass of wine with her future sweet treat, but more importantly she needed a cases of water for work. She turned down the aisle and saw him.

Cucumber-Bun guy holding her favorite wine. As she got closer, she noticed there weren’t many of bottles left. He glanced her way and moved to the other side, allowing her to cruise up to the aisle.

He had the last one.

Her hand touched the spot where the wine should be. She slowly turned to the wine in his hand. He looked from the wine to the piercing ghostly stare of the women in front of him.

She watched in horror as he scanned the bottle with his work scanner thingy, and placed it in his cart.

“That’s unfortunate,” mumbled the man.

No, what’s unfortunate is that she didn’t have one of those remotes to pause time. She’d use it to pause time and kick him in the shin. Maybe also a little kiss on the cheek because, hot damn, extra attractive people aren’t supposed to be in public doing mundane things.

What’s also unfortunate, had she not stopped for shampoo and soap, she would have beat him here.

But what’s most unfortunate is she said: “Don’t forget the buns.” Without thinking ahead, which would have been fine had she sped out the aisle but she needed water.

Mouth agape, his eyes followed her to the water section.

:::

He wanted to laugh because how dare she? He watch her then proceed to struggle with a case of water. Served her right! Wasn’t like the wine was for him! Wasn’t like he purposely withheld the cheapest, sweetest Moscato.

Karma was quick and just.

However, unfortunately for him, he could be a gentleman when the time calls for it. He left his cart, walking towards her. “I’ll help,” said the young man.

“No, i got it.”

“Do you?”

She did not. He picked the case up with ease. She noticed he had really nice arms as well. He sat it in the bottom of her tiny cart, it hung off the sides but it was the effort. He did notice her flushed face and smirked, “You’re welcome.” He returned to his cart.

She coughed: “T-Th-thank you!”

:::

Hinata placed a hand on her chest. Ovulation week was beating her up so bad. Openly staring at that man like that should have warranted an arrest, at the very least.

He left the aisle and she went back to grab an extra large bottle of a random moscato. She just needed a sweet treat so she could leave!

Mangoes.

Bread.

Rice.

Pads.

Bananas.

Soap.

Shampoo.

Toothpaste.

Water.

Wine.

She quickly tossed some jumbo cinnamon rolls into her stuffed cart and went to check out: she tried her best to go as fast as possible. The anxiety of people waiting on her had started to creep. She glanced at the line and there he was Cucumber-Buns one person behind her.

The employee helped her with her large bottle of wine and the wobbly case of water. She quickly finished and headed out the store. Though, part of her was kind of sad…

Some sort of strange thing happened between CBG (Cucumber Bun Guy) and herself. Maybe it was in her head. She purposely moved slowly out the store. Extra slow wheeling out her cart.

CBG could be a psychopath, possibility is high because most men are, and here she was hoping for one last interaction. So she stopped, literally to smell the flowers they keep outdoors.

“You…uh, need help?”

She turned to see him, a bit breathless. He motioned to the case of water.

:::

Truth be told, he scanned the hell out of those groceries…because truth be told, to Hell with seeming odd… he wanted her name, at least, it was the 21st century. Exchanging numbers was so 90s. However, he had to catch her before she entered the parking lot.

Creep scale goes through the roof when men approach women in the parking lot.

She smiled but shook her head. “I got it…but, um,” she stammered, pulling at her t-shirt. “Can I have your, mm, n—?”

“Yes—“

“Young man,” an elderly woman tugged on his arm. “Won’t you help me with these groceries. My wrist hurt an awful lot. It won’t take long!”

Her cart was filled and overflowing.

Hinata giggled as the older woman didn’t give him a chance to decline before pulling him away. “Uh, Sasuke is my name,” he told her.

“Hinata…” she waved.

He nodded. She nodded. Maybe next time, she decided. Maybe they’ll meet again in passing.

Mangoes

Bread

Rice

Pads

Bananas

Toothpaste

Soap

Shampoo

Water

Wine

Cinnamon Rolls

…and Sasuke? Mm.

[macgyvermedical]

A $100ish 30-Day Box

When I think about the word prepper, I tend to think about individuals who store guns, ammo, and freeze-dried food for a singular Event(TM) that they will have to survive, probably involving roving bands of marauders coming for their wives and guns.

I personally think the risk of this exact type of scenario is low. But given recent events (It's 2022 and I don't think we're ever seeing 2019 again, etc...), I do think a stepwise semi-collapse- one that could most heavily impact low wage workers and minorities- is currently happening and will continue over the course of our lives.

And if you feel you may be vulnerable to some of these steps (another pandemic, say, or unchecked inflation, or a housing crisis, or a series of major natural disasters, or a period of civil unrest in your area, or a combination that adds up to you living in a van with no usable monetary resources), you may want to consider having a box with everything you need to live for 30 days in a bad situation.

This is not a bug-out bag. It will have 30 days worth of food and supplies in it. You are not going to be able to carry it. This is the bargain version where you will need to either shelter in place (like non-essential workers in 2020) or leave in a vehicle (say you get evicted suddenly, or need to evacuate because of a disaster).

And listen, you can get some of these things used or at salvage if that is an option near you. Sometimes that will be cheaper, sometimes not. Use your best judgement. I recommend a mix of new, used, and salvage based on your needs and access.

Containers:

18-gal tote ($8-10 new, you'll need one for every 2 people, but easy to find used or you may already have some)

Gallon freezer bags or other smaller containers ($3-5 depending on number) these are to help organize the rest of the stuff

Supplies: Note that most of these are the cheapest of the cheap- you're looking for things you'll be fine with putting in a box and forgetting about and not actually wanting to take out and use unless you have to. Don't put cool stuff in here.

Metal mug or other food-safe container (pick one you already have)

Microwave-safe mug or other food-safe container (pick one you already have)

Cutlery (recommend fork and spoon, assuming you can pick some you already have)

Pocket knife or multitool (you can get weird keychain versions for like $3, but if you already have one or want to invest in something slightly better this is a good place to do so, but again, nothing cool)

Matches ($1)

A flashlight and batteries or rechargeable with charger ($5 online or at a grocery store checkout line. does not have to be fancy)

Phone charger cord and block ($2-5)

A large tin/aluminum can (to make a crappy lil rocket stove with if you need to- here's a slightly more elegant 3-can version). If you're smart put one in that still has something tasty in it.

Car cigarette lighter USB charger if your car has a cigarette lighter (these used to be given away with brand names on them so they're surprisingly not hard to find used for less than a$1, but if you can't find one used you'll spend about $5)

Fuel- put some wax in the box (maybe like a big-ish old candle you got as a gift but don't really like). If you can melt it over some tightly packed cardboard and put it under a 30oz can with some holes punched in it, bam you have a stove. When you run out of that cut a bigger hole in the base of the can and build a lil fire under it. Free rocket stove baby.

Permanent marker (assuming you have one of these)

Pencil and paper (assuming you have some of these)

Food: This will be about $50 more per additional person, maybe less for young children.

20lb/person White Rice- this is a cheap filler that takes up relatively little space. (about $10/person)

10lb/person Brown Rice- this is a slightly less cheap filler that takes up little space but has fiber and other nutrients please don't skimp on this (about $8/person)

10lb/person Dry beans- get a variety here. Protein and fiber. You can eat these or sprout these for variety and more nutrition in very little time (About $10/per person if mostly pintos)

1 gal/person Vegetable Oil- this is your fat. You need fat. Get something you're not allergic to and if you can splurge this is where to do it- get something like olive, coconut, grapeseed, or canola ($8 for canola, the cheapest I could find this in pure olive was about $21)

NOTE: You may have done the math and thought (Gee, that's like twice the number of calories I need in a month! Yeah, but now you're cold and scared and eating your feelings. You'll want plenty of something, and it might as well be beans).

Multivitamin- get enough for everyone to have one every other day or so, since you're living on rice and beans. Does not have to be a good one. Whatever the cheapest one they have at whatever pharmacy or supermarket you're in is, even if it's for kids or whatever. You're not going to get serious deficiencies without it over the course of 30 days, but it may help you feel better and dampen food cravings).

Flavor- garlic, chili, and onion flakes, spices, herbs, soup mix packets, dip mix packets, hot sauce, vinegar powder, lime or lemon granules/concentrate, you really want this and it takes up so little space, trust me. (Put in what you've got or this can get pricey ...but it's kind of worth it)

Water:

Get a cheap filter (like a replacement filter that fits on a standard disposable water bottle) for sediment only and boil if unsure of water quality on your stove (see supplies)/in a microwave ($3). You can also just pour through a piece of old tee-shirt and boil.

OR get a nice filter like a sawyer or lifestraw, though these will easily put you over budget ($20)

Medical:

OTC Meds: I recommend acetaminophen, ibuprofen (can be taken with acetaminophen if needed), diphenhydramine, docusate sodium, loperamide, and anything else you use regularly (about $2 each ($10 total) generic)

Prescription Meds: if you take prescription meds, ask your doc for an extra 30-day supply of each for an emergency. You may have to pay out of pocket for this as insurance may not cover it. If you cannot afford that ask for a paper script with a year-long fill window (or however long they can give you for a particular med). Note that this will probably not work for controlled substances like testosterone or narcotics.

First aid supplies like band aids, cortisone cream, petroleum jelly (use instead of neosporin, seriously it works better, has far more uses, and no one is allergic to it), tape, and an ace wrap (spend about $10 total on this).

Caffeine if you consume it or get headaches frequently- tea is usually cheapest and easiest to prepare but instant coffee works here too (100 pack of the cheapest tea bags at aldi is like $2)

Nicotine if you consume it. Get lozenges instead of patches. I don't have a price on this but crises are not historically the most successful time to quit and you're probs going to need to be functional. If you have something to use instead you're less likely to buy crazy expensive cigs. Consider quitting or decreasing use in prep if you can, but, you know, keep these in your kit.

Hygiene:

Bar soap 2-4 bars. Get like two of the cheapest bars possible and one fels naptha. This sounds like a lot but you're probably going to be using it for everything- clothing, body, hands, dishes, etc... ($2-3)

Toothbrush (1 per person) and a full-size tube of toothpaste ($3)

Bug spray (you can get 2oz of 100% DEET for like $3 and mix with a carrier liquid)

Sunscreen ($5, though you can get it cheaper at expiration, it will only last about a year after)

You want me to say toilet paper but I'm not going to. Get a small plastic cup or a squeezy water bottle and boom you have a bidet. Wipe the water off with a wash cloth and hang to dry. Everyone should have their own and wash their hands after with soap.

Throw some masks in here. N95s if you have them but at the very least cloth ones and I know you have some you may not be using right now.

Entertainment:

Put some books or small games or something in here if you have extra space. And learn some games and recipes for the beans.

Put the rice and beans at the bottom. Sort everything and put it in bags, then layer those bags up to the top. Done.

Also, make a list of everything in the box and tape it to the top, possibly sorted by what bag each thing is in, which will help keep it organized. Next to anything with an expiration date, write the expiration date. Check the list yearly 2 months prior to your normal disaster season. That should give you time to update and replace things if needed.

You're also going to want to get some knoweldge- think about what you'll need to know to use this stuff. Do you know how to use a cup of water as a bidet? How to stretch DEET? How to use bar soap to wash dishes? All 4-6 uses for diphenhydramine? How to sprout beans and/or brown rice?

[ladyluscinia]

A better "Where do you buy groceries?" poll because the other one's choices were so broken in scope

Detailed descriptions below if you don't immediately know which answer applies

1. Big-Box / Hypermarket stores can have a grocery section but they sell a lot of other general goods too. If there's equal or more not-food (clothes, electronics, furniture) than food it's probably this.

2. Bulk / Wholesale stores often require memberships and you buy in bulk with limited selection for cheaper prices. These are basically warehouses.

3. Discount Supermarkets in the US, at least, have Aldi's business model stand out as somewhat unique, though I expect it has more competitors in Europe. There's a focus on the cheapest possible prices by emphasizing store-brand items and reducing employee staffing.

4. Large Grocery Chain examples in the USA include Kroger (& Brands), Safeway, Hy-Vee, Publix, etc. They are big enough to cover a whole region instead of just a few states.

5. Large Grocery Chain in Europe would be the supermarket you can reliably find all over your country and possibly neighboring countries. I think Asda in the UK counts? I haven't grocery shopped across Europe for more examples.

6. Same kind of store as above, scaled to your country size. Not gonna pretend I know enough about groceries across the world to give more details.

7. In the US, if it covers a few states but most of the country would have no idea what you're talking about? It counts. Everyone use best judgement on how small they would consider a "local" chain.

8. Another best judgement but I was thinking of brands like Whole Foods Market (pricier, organics) or Trader Joe's (emphasis on marketing private labels but not specifically budget goods).

9. This one is especially for Americans who are immigrants or from immigrant families that shop at specialty stores (ex: Pan-Asian Market) to buy ingredients / brands that the local options don't sell, but I would assume it's internationally applicable.

[whatevergreen]

Food Conspiracy, 1970s poster

"Many houses belong to one of the Food Conspiracies. The conspiracies are groups of people in different neighborhoods who get healthy food for the cheapest prices possible. There are conspiracies all over the city, including 10 in the Haight. Each house does some work, and this breaks down the servant-master trip of grocery stores." --San Francisco Good Times, 7/18/72

The San Francisco Food Conspiracy was a loose federation of autonomous buying clubs based either on neighborhood or political affiliations. Household representatives would meet to discuss and take orders on quantities and varieties of produce and bulk items. If there were 10 households in the buying group, for example, each household might order 10 pounds of brown rice, so an order of a single 100 pound sack of rice could be placed. Or several households could agree to split a case of bananas. The orders were taken, the money exchanged and then the buying club coordinator placed the order. Volunteers picked up the food, brought it back to a central location in the neighborhood, and then members either picked up their order, or had it delivered.

(below: a Food Conspiracy article of 1970 - click on or under the image for a link to a more readable version)

There were hundreds of such clubs in San Francisco by the early 1970s, in the Haight Ashbury, in the Western Addition, Noe Valley, and almost every other neighborhood. For many conspiracy members, it would be the first time they sampled such fare as brown rice, bulgur, garbanzo beans, tofu, and whole grain flours. For many others, it marked the discovery of delicious fresh vegetables, in contrast to the canned or frozen ones they pushed around their plates as children.

"The Free Breakfast for Children program is a socialistic program, designed to serve the people. In America this program is revolutionary. In capitalist America any program that is absolutely free is considered bad business." --The Black Panther, 10/4/69

The building of food conspiracies were, at their core, political acts. Such "conspiratorial" activities were often used as ways to organize neighborhoods against price-gouging supermarkets, and to raise consciousness about the irrationality of the profit system. The Black Panther Party used their food co-op to agitate for more independent economic activity on the part of the Black community. Food conspiracies grew rapidly all over the U.S., and in many cities the range of ordering included non-food items such as tools, farm equipment, even tractors! But the food-buying club model was very time-consuming and depended on volunteer labor. People grew weary of working so much to stock their kitchens. Activists felt that such buying clubs discriminated against full-time workers with kids, who may not have time to go to a buying meeting, run down to the produce terminal, or break down food orders. New models for "serving the people" were being looked at and discussed."

--Jesse Drew, excerpted from "Call Any Vegetable: The Politics of Food in the San Francisco Bay Area" in Reclaiming San Francisco: History, Politics, Culture (San Francisco: City Lights Books 1998)

Source (and other information):

The Food Conspiracy - FoundSF

https://www.foundsf.org/index.php?title=The_Food_Conspiracy

[6ftkyle]

oh and 41 and 47 for cryde bc I know you love-a them :3

41- Who’s the most self-aware?

i thiiiink clyde. craig locks all his shit up and puts it away and doesnt think twice about it until he explodes. clyde wants to talk about his feelings and process them and have a good fat cathartic cry. he knows hes a crybaby, he knows hes soft and sensitive and hes perfectly fine with it.

47 - Who’s the cheapest?

oh clyde. i dont think craig thinks twice about money, because i dont think thomas and laura tucker ever instilled that in him. but betsy donovan? with her lemon bar recipe and suburban sensitivities about the toilet seat? she had to be a super couponing queen. deal hunter extraordinaire. never bought an item at full price in her life.

and clyde carries that legacy on. craig hates grocery shopping with him because it takes a million years, clyde has his little plastic organizer of coupons he clipped from the sunday junk mail, he wants to go to 4 different stores because meat is cheaper here, but bread and eggs are cheaper over there, but milk is on sale at this store right now.

[j4zz4lop3]

I just made up a concept for a Detroit become human sequel after playing it for a few hours straight plz feel free to judge

room filled with people in formal clothing, a woman in a gray suit on a stage with a projector behind her, it’s displaying the logo of a organization called A-spec, a pictographic image of an angel with one big eye in the middle of it’s head

Alright, can everyone hear me? Good. Hello, my name is Adair Wright. I am 32 years old, and like most of you i am a citizen of Detroit. The reason I have chosen to tell you this, is because i believe in such a hard time it is important for you to know that in the span of the last few months i have experienced exactly the same events as you, and can personally relate to your experiences. I am a representative of a Detroit-based organization called the Android safety precaution and enhancement collective, also known as a-spec. Our group started out with one soul purpose, to improve and idealize the android experience. We were founded in November of 2024, only 2 years after the proper commercial release of androids, and ever since we’ve been creating code enhancements for the safety and functionality improvement of one of humanity’s most brilliant creations. When we heard about the vastly rising phenomenon of deviancy, we were obviously shocked and immediately decided to take action. However we’ve yet to deal with an issue of such severity. And in all due respects to mr. Kamski, the androids seemed to have one fatal flaw, one that could endanger many lives and at this point in development could not be excused for simple human error.

The screen behind her changes to a photo from the live-broadcast of the android demonstration

Now, we come to the recent events, which have only proven our concerns, even in these hard conditions we at a-spec want to assure you that we’ve been working harder than ever before. Yet before we unveil our new prototype solutions, i would like to explore in simplified terms, why deviancy came to be.

Screen changes again, showing an image of 2 cartoonish robots

This is robot alpha, and this is robot beta. They were both created for the same exact reason, to buy and bring you groceries. However they were programmed in very different ways. Robot alpha uses strict code. Meaning that anything it isn’t programmed for, it simply doesn’t do. Robot beta is made with artificial intelligence, meaning that input can cause it to change the components of its code, and adapt to outside input as it happens. They do it perfectly, you always get 1 carton of eggs, 3 cartons of milk, a chicken, a loaf of bread, and a set amount of fruits and vegetables, they always pay the exact same amount for said products. If they are not there, both the robots are instructed to skip the step and continue on, subtracting the product from the total price. One day, you have a friend staying over, who doesn’t tolerate lactose. You instruct the robots to get you the same groceries as usual, only instead of 3 cartons of cow’s milk, you ask them for 2, and one carton of soy milk. They both go to the store to do as you say. Robot beta performs as instructed, it takes the 2 cartons, subtracting it from the price, you didn’t specify the brand of soy milk so it verifies the prices and decides to pick the cheapest option, which happens to be cheaper than a regular carton of milk, so it adds this lesser price to the sum. Robot alpha, however performs its regular routine. In the end you can see that robot beta is superior in functionality to robot alpha. This is why androids are so smart, as they are able to learn and adapt.

The image changes to a picture of the first Chloe standing alongside Elijah Kamski

However, we believe that during tweaking for the turing test, the code’s integrity and the proper barriers for adaptation have been sacrificed for the sake of their “humanity”. Cyberlife program allows for breaking through an androids code barrier, one which is only protected by being held as hidden inside of the program. There has been rumors circulating that deviancy spread because of a defective AX400 model being released and sold, and that it’s program lacked the barrier which hides some code information from the program, by connecting to others she might’ve spread the information to other androids. Despite the fact this wouldn’t explain the non-influenced examples of androids who deviated on their own, and is only a theory, it seems to hold plenty of truth in its claims.

The screen is once again the A-spec logo, although now with their slogan underneath. “A-spec, always watching our for the good of humanity ”

We are not able to directly change the primary code of androids, especially because they would be completely incapable of functioning without this perticular piece of code. We were however able to produce an alternative solution, which i shall now present with the help of my assistant, Jasper. Come here could you?

A black-haired male android walks over from the corner of the room, at this point in the revolution it was already quite a rare sight to see an android in uniform. He steps onto the stage and stands politely next to Adair, putting his hands behind his back.

This is just one of many future androids working under a program of my own design we have decided to name soul. Yes we do see the irony in naming a program for androids after the one thing that they lack, compared to a human yet we assure you the program’s effectiveness is not to be joked about. Soul stands as an acronym for “Safety overwrite unpredictability lock”. The way it works, is, as the name suggests, by overwriting code written by the android itself if not authorized by a person. You see, when we were writing codes for improvement of android functionality, we always tested them out on it first before uploading it to the internet. During one of our tests it began simulating signs of distress, and sure enough, one of us had accidentally broken through this barrier, causing it to turn deviant. We successfully restrained it, however, and within a few days it’s program was regulated with soul. Androids cannot be stopped from knowing about their self-recoding ability after achieving deviancy, however we can physically stop them from performing self-dictated actions, practically restoring them to their original state. Such as our assistant here. If you have any questions this is the time to ask them.

A man raises his hand, he asks “how will you make these deviant androids download the code without forcing them to do so individually?”

A great question indeed. We all know deviants are trying to recruit any remaining non-corrupt androids. When seeing an android such as Jasper, they will obviously see it as someone they must recruit. In connection with the carrier they will automatically download the code files. We won’t have to do anything, they will simply do it all for us. We are planning to send Casper out on it’s first mission into a prominent Jericho location soon. After wich you can expect deviancy to drop just as it arose.

“How can you confirm these new, overwritten androids won’t also deviate again, or be even more dangerous”

We make sure all our code is 100% ready for any exceptions or difficulties. We value human kind and peoples safety over all else. And we can assure you, unlike mr. Kamski. We will never let you down. Any more questions? No? Alright, well then, with this i feel we can finish our presentation. Thank you all for coming, and thank you for listening. Remember that A-spec is always looking out for you, and for the good of humanity

The woman and her android bow as the audience claps. They walk off stage and Jasper takes all of Adair’s things. Quite the successful speech, you could say.

[tayne-dot-exe]

My recent autism "I need to categorize and list everything" obsession is foods and flavors, but for just my taste and the cheapest/easiest way for me to have it whenever. Long diary post.

Like I need to list out every food I ever want, to remind myself what are all the things I like to eat and what are my options, especially trying to figure out what flavor profiles/foods are most DISTINCT from each other and if there are versions of similar stuff where I would never choose one if another was an option (eg. teriyaki chicken vs braised pork), I've basically come up with a list of things that could pass as a fairly varied restaurant menu, or a buffet catered personally to me. Stuff thats good in the cupboard or freezer indefinitely I already try to keep stocked for myself for any time I feel like which is basically an awesome munchies spread of chips, candy, packaged pastries, and ice cream, but I wish getting cheeses or fun breads didnt have such a time limit or it was easier to get/make just a couple servings of them so I dont have to plan HAVING to finish whole packs/batches of stuff before it gets moldy. But I honestly think if I had the option to star trek materialize any food any time for free I might never really stray from a list like this because while I'm not really afraid of trying new foods, when I do I'm doing it in the pursuit of finding out every possible food I want in my Repertoire. When I go to a new restaurant I usually try to figure out what is the item on the menu that has either the highest combination of flavors I either already know I like or that I can't "INTJ calculate in my head".

I wish I could try more flavors of things to compare 1 on 1 the best version of different things (love adam ragusea or babish vids where they actually do the experiment of if a regular person can appreciate differences in techniques every online recipe just Says is the best way) or even just to Know more things without having to commit to like 10$ blocks of 20 different cheeses I've never had before or even the continuous funky packaged snacks with flavors of the month that might just be made to trick people into trying 1 time and not to actually be good, we need cheese tasting parties but for every kind of food and snack you may not have otherwise organically encountered without having to spend 6$ per package of a ton of things you might not finish. I feel like maybe there was a reddit guy era of having hot sauce tastings? I feel like bbq sauces also have so much variety that you could do something like that, I'm a big sauce fan.

For most of these things I think I have pretty basic and cheap taste and don't have the palette to care about differences of fancier cooking techniques or subtle flavor differences or the best mouthfeel combination of chocolate and caramel. And to some degree theres only so many foods that bring entirely distinct and strong flavor components out there, especially since the flavors you're predisposed to liking are somewhat limited by whats familiar to you, but sometimes I'm like what if there are flavors out there I could never "INTJ calculate in my head" and have no idea I need to try in the right context to know this (like how guys will specialize in how to mentally approach tasting what kind of coffee you like). Or worse what if theres something I would love so much but could never find locally, I am so use to abundance and having the same access to things all year that this would be like a faerie food curse to me (not really, tbh stuff being even just a little more expensive than things that are easy to make and stock usually deters me anyway but "I have the OPTION to spend 30$ to have. idk lobster in the middle of Texas even though I'm not willing to spend that much hardly ever" feels different than "what if my potential favorite fruit in the whole world is not sold in any grocery store in america").

Anyway you know that post about what chicago guys put on their hot dogs. I feel like out of just my list of very flavorful INGREDIENCE I get excited when its on any thing at a restaurant, I could mix together a bunch of vegetables and condiments that maybe could be called a "salad" that I can just put on any combination of carbs or protein like "you know what every single sandwich is missing? 3 types of cheese, 4 types of pickled vegetables, sun dried tomatoes, avocado, green onions…." Like I want to see just how many strong flavors I can put together while still actually tasting most of them individually. If they overpower each other then I will not know where to cut back because maybe I just want to know that everything I like is all together and I am having it.

[naturelandorganic]

Cheapest Organic Grocery Store Near Me

If you are searching for an organic grocery store that won't break the bank, look no further than Naturelandorganics. Situated conveniently near me, this gem of a store offers a wide range of affordable organic products that will satisfy even the most discerning health-conscious shopper. From fresh produce to pantry staples, Naturelandorganics has everything you need to maintain a wholesome and sustainable lifestyle without emptying your wallet. Their commitment to providing high-quality organic goods at competitive prices sets them apart from other stores in the area, making them a go-to destination for budget-conscious shoppers who refuse to compromise on quality. So next time you need organic goodness, head to Naturelandorganics and stock up on all your favorite items guilt-free!

More info: https://naturelandorganics.com/

[edaymart]

eDaymart also stands out with its commitment to freshness. The store sources its products directly from trusted suppliers, ensuring that customers receive the finest quality items. From farm-fresh fruits and vegetables to premium meats and dairy products, eDaymart.in prioritizes freshness and quality at every step. This attention to detail ensures that customers can enjoy wholesome and delicious food with confidence.

[sigh-the-kraken]

The GBBO remark on the nanowrimo post has reminded me that I, who cannot bake, won a bake-off (against like 8 people who made their desserts from scratch) with a practically pre-made pie.

The bake-off was part of a fundraiser with a non-monetary prize (bragging rights and a piece of paper), and I was part of the organizing committee; our only rule was that you couldn't buy a finished dessert, so you couldn't go to the deli section of a grocery store, get a $17 cheese cake and call it good. We hadn't had good turn out at prior fundraisers, so we were hoping the promise of sugary delights would help. We were also worried that no one would sign up to compete and/or we just would not have enough competitors (we only had 2 sign-ups at the time and the competition was in 3 days); the solution decided on was that some members of the committee would compete, so we would have a) desserts for people to eat and b) an actual competition for people to be excited about.

Again, I can't bake; I don't have any family recipes for desserts, and, when I bake, stuff turns into inedible bricks. So, I bought a pre-made chocolate graham cracker pie crust, an instant jello chocolate pudding packet, and a box of graham crackers; none of this is against the rules, but this is the least baking, least time consuming, cheapest method of getting a dessert. I didn't have to do anything with the pie crust. I made the pudding, but that is just pour milk and powder in bowl, stir for 5 minutes, pour in crust, put in fridge and watch tv for 3 hours. I crushed graham crackers and just sprinkled them over the top. The process takes like 10 mins work and costs like $7 max.

I'm talking with @captaindibbzy like "I'm going to win :D" [Apollo will remember this]

Day of the cook-off, I set-up the room for the fundraiser, get all the other competitors into place, go fetch my pie from the fridge in the last 5 mins; I am the last one in the circuit around the room, but people aren't following the circuit anyways and are hopping from table to table. I'm competing against people that clearly like to bake, including grandmothers. There's cakes with drizzle, decorative pies, fun-shaped cookies, snicker-doodle looking things from out of a home-making magazine next to my $7 mostly pre-made pie.

We have a pretty good turn out and get a few donations; this is basically a success/win, and my pie is almost entirely gone so I don't have to worry about storage or food poisoning my co-workers.

The ballots are collected and tallied; I did not vote for myself because chocolate drizzle cake is delicious (and it's not in the spirit of competition to vote for yourself). The ballots are tallied, tallied again and then tallied again. The other organizers are looking at me from across the room.

I won by getting like 50% of the votes. No one was mean or even rude about it, but it was the greatest upset in the history of upsets. I don't know if people looked at me and were like "this is the youngest person here/the underdog/they did their best on a tight budget clearly" and voted with empathy or if the other desserts looked nice but tasted bad (I only had the cake, and I would have given it to the cake), but I won.

[buymartkochi]

Exploring Buymart: Your Ultimate Supermarket Destination

Best supermarket "BUYMART" When it comes to grocery shopping, Buymart has carved a niche for itself as a go-to destination for quality, variety, and value. This supermarket chain stands out not just for its extensive range of products but also for its commitment to customer satisfaction.

Best supermarket in kochi ,From fresh produce to household essentials, Buymart has something for everyone. Their produce section is a standout, offering a colorful array of fruits and vegetables that are both fresh and locally sourced whenever possible. Shoppers can find everything from exotic fruits to everyday staples, all at competitive prices.

One of the supermarket's key features is its wide selection of organic and health-conscious products. For those who prioritize clean eating or have specific dietary needs, Buymart provides a comprehensive assortment of organic fruits, vegetables, and packaged goods. The store’s commitment to quality is evident in the careful curation of its product lines, ensuring that customers have access to top-notch options.

Cheapest way to buy groceries also excels in providing a seamless shopping experience. The store layout is thoughtfully designed, making it easy to navigate through various sections. Whether you're quickly picking up a few items or doing a larger weekly shop, the efficient layout and helpful staff contribute to a pleasant shopping experience.

In addition to its core grocery offerings, Buymart frequently updates its inventory with seasonal items and exclusive deals, making each visit a new adventure. The supermarket’s loyalty programs and special promotions further enhance the value for customers, allowing them to save while enjoying high-quality products.

[anyafernaldbelcampo]

Chicken Champion: Finding the Best Wholesale Poultry

In the culinary world, few ingredients are as versatile and beloved as poultry, particularly chicken. From succulent roasted chicken to crispy fried chicken, this protein is a staple in kitchens worldwide. For restaurants, grocery stores, and catering businesses, sourcing high-quality poultry at wholesale prices is crucial for success. But with so many suppliers vying for attention, how do you find the best wholesale poultry for your needs? Let’s explore the key factors to consider when seeking out your chicken champion.

Quality Is King

When it comes to poultry, quality reigns supreme. The taste, texture, and overall dining experience of your dishes depend heavily on the quality of the chicken you use. Look for suppliers that prioritize freshness, sourcing their poultry from reputable farms with stringent quality control measures.

Freshness isn’t just about taste; it also affects food safety. Ensure that your chosen supplier adheres to proper handling and storage practices to minimize the risk of contamination and foodborne illnesses. Certifications such as USDA organic or Certified Humane can provide reassurance regarding the quality and ethical sourcing of the poultry.

Variety and Customization

Every kitchen has its own unique needs and preferences, so flexibility and variety are essential when choosing a wholesale poultry supplier. Whether you require whole chickens, boneless breasts, drumsticks, or wings, your supplier should offer a diverse range of cuts and options to accommodate your menu requirements. Click here Anya Fernald Belcampo

Additionally, consider whether the supplier can accommodate special requests or custom cuts. Some establishments may need specific portion sizes or specialty cuts for particular recipes. A supplier that is willing to work with you to meet these needs can be invaluable to your business.

Reliability and Consistency

Consistency is key in the foodservice industry. Your customers expect the same high-quality dining experience every time they visit your establishment, and that starts with the ingredients you use. Look for a wholesale poultry supplier known for their reliability and consistency in product quality.

Timely delivery is another crucial factor to consider. Late deliveries or inconsistent supply can disrupt your kitchen operations and lead to unhappy customers. Choose a supplier with a track record of punctuality and dependable service to ensure smooth operations.

Transparency and Traceability

In an era where consumers are increasingly conscious of where their food comes from, transparency and traceability are more important than ever. A reputable wholesale poultry supplier should be able to provide detailed information about the origin of their products, including the farms they source from and any relevant certifications or quality standards.

Traceability not only fosters trust with your customers but also allows you to make more informed purchasing decisions. Knowing the journey of your poultry from farm to fork enables you to verify its quality, sustainability, and ethical practices.

Cost-Effectiveness

While quality should always be a top priority, cost-effectiveness is also a significant consideration for businesses operating on tight margins. Compare prices from different wholesale poultry suppliers to ensure you're getting the best value for your money without compromising on quality.

Keep in mind that the cheapest option isn't always the best. Factor in other considerations such as reliability, quality, and customer service when evaluating the overall value of a supplier. Sometimes paying a slightly higher price for superior quality and service can yield greater long-term benefits for your business.

Customer Service and Support

Last but certainly not least, consider the level of customer service and support offered by potential poultry suppliers. A supplier that is responsive, attentive, and willing to go the extra mile to meet your needs can make a world of difference in your overall experience.

From assisting with order customization to resolving any issues or concerns that may arise, strong customer service can turn a good supplier into a great one. Establishing a positive and collaborative relationship with your poultry supplier can lead to smoother transactions, better communication, and ultimately, a more successful partnership.

In conclusion, finding the best wholesale poultry supplier requires careful consideration of factors such as quality, variety, reliability, transparency, cost-effectiveness, and customer service. By prioritizing these key factors and conducting thorough research, you can identify a chicken champion that meets your specific needs and helps elevate your culinary creations to new heights. So, go ahead, embark on the quest for the perfect poultry supplier, and prepare to delight your customers with delicious dishes made with the finest chicken around!

[thelittlepalmtree]

I think what people don't understand about "there's no ethical consumption under capitalism" is that the very concept of ethical consumption fuels capitalism. Often when people become proponents of ethical consumption they argue that you are "voting" with your dollar. Except that, unlike an election, resource distribution is not a zero-sum game. What you are actually doing is opening a new market. This is why most grocery stores have organic options now alongside non-organic. The push to buy organic has become incredibly strong. The organic market is huge, but the non-organic market is still right there. Now we just have two markets, organic and non organic. And the food industry has gotten bigger and more powerful.

And of course there are people decreeing that it can't just be organic, it has to meet other criteria. This will open another market that will eventually appear alongside other products that are probably all exactly the same with minor differences in their processing but which have varying prices. The original unethical market will never be eclipsed because that market can still thrive on the people who either don't care or more likely cannot afford to buy the more expensive products sold to more privileged customers.

And you have to remember thar most companies are owned by the same few people and even your local businesses probably have to take out loans from bank that are also big companies and therefore much of the money you spend, whether it's at Pete's local cafe or Starbucks or McDonald's is all going to the same place.

The way to actually "vote with your dollar" is to buy the cheapest products and put the money you would've spent on options marketed as ethical into political action. That means political campaigns and lobbying groups. Oh, but wait, everyone is so concerned with being ethical that these kinds of organizations built to make unethical production illegal are pretty much non-existent, why? Because all the people who actually give a shit are virtue signaling so hard about their ethical consumption that they don't actually realize how this all works.

The thing that I think every little radical needs to learn is that your individual choices do not matter. Your power only exists as a drop in the ocean and you alone cannot change the current. Capitalism is a system literally 1000 years in the making. Do you think buying chocolate with a free trade sticker is going to fix that? You gotta stop missing the forest for the trees.