I’m eating trail mix right now I bought from my “local” mega-chain grocery store. It’s the store-brand trail mix, and according to the plastic (ie, refined oil) container, the “Country of Origin” is “USA, CHILE, INDIA/BRAZIL & CHINA.”

I think my favorite part is the bit about INDIA/BRAZIL. What the hell is that supposed to mean and why should a bunch of nuts and raisins that I am snacking on be shipped to me from all over the world? It makes no sense unless you’re a humongous conglomerate of interlocking corporations with outlets all over the world, who cares more about cutting costs than about finding solutions which are simple and support the communities they serve.

You’d think things like gigantic “tea companies” would be a thing of the distant past, things which spurred international trade and world-wide exploration several hundred years ago. But, no. Here they are, even still, putting their nuts into my mouth just the same as they’ve always been doing. But hey, as long as the price is right, who cares, eh?