The following table outlines Walmart’s pledges for a more just and sustainable food system and what the reality of their pledges look like. The quotes were all taken directly from Walmart’s corporate website.
| What Walmart Pledges | The Reality |
| Buy More Local Produce: “Offering local produce has been a Walmart priority for years, and we’re taking it to a new level with a pledge to grow our partnerships with local farmers.” | Walmart is using this model to cut their costs by reducing money spent on fuel for transportation. Due to the quantity of food Walmart needs to purchase, buying local does not mean supporting local farmers or small food producers. Walmart defines local as food purchased within the same state as the store. Walmart’s goal of doubling the amount of locally grown produce sold by 2015 means increasing their sale of local food (as defined by Walmart) by a combined 9 percent of produce sold in all of the stores. |
| Sell More Organic Products: “Our efforts will help increase farmer incomes, lead to more efficient use of pesticides, fertilizer and water, and provide fresher produce for our customers.” | Walmart announced in 2006 that it would double the number of organic produce on its shelves. Their definition of organic includes organic versions of processed foods such as Rice Krispies and Kraft macaroni and cheese. Walmart views organic products as a way to attract wealthier consumers, not as a better agricultural model. For Walmart, it is always about price- where factory farming is favored- not organic standards. |
| Increase Sustainability: “Investing in renewable energy spurs innovation, provides jobs, helps protect the environment and reduces costs.” | Walmart said it would try to create zero waste, use 100 percent renewable energy and sell more ecofriendly products. This is about cutting costs and winning over critics. Walmart will only follow through with initiatives to the extent that it saves the company money. Walmart has put the responsibility for going green onto its suppliers costing them more money while Walmart takes the credit. |
| Supply Food Deserts With Healthy Food: “By opening stores where customers need them most, Walmart will help build healthier families and stronger communities.” | This is a public relations tactic in order to gain support for Walmart’s urban move. Placing a big box store in an urban community does not solve the complexity of food access especially due to the unsustainable practices of Walmart. The Walmart model of making farmers and workers poorer by driving down costs is not the solution to areas with limited access to healthy food. |
