Scott Grizzard – Personal Website

In Tampa, we have this new (about two years now) Greenwise Publix.  It is full of organic food, and is a bit more expensive than other stores.  People that know me know that I am one of the last people to be advocating a “Green” lifestyle, and they ask me why I shop there.  When I say, “it is more convenient”, they don’t believe me, and point to the organic cat food I bought (since they also sell regular, non organic cat food) as evidence that I have gone whacked.  So, to put these questions to an end, I am going to explain myself.

1. My cat throws up anything with the common cat food additives, the organic stuff is cheaper than the “sensitive stomach” stuff he won’t throw up, and he likes the organic better than the “sensitive stomach” food to boot.  It took me a while to figure this out, but he can’t eat anything with canned fish (even canned tuna for humans), any of the paté cat foods, any of the “mixed” canned cat foods like “Turkey and Cheese”, or most regular dry cat food.  He will sometimes throw up the shredded canned chicken and steak, but he can usually eat it.  He never throws up fresh chicken and fresh steak.  So yes, I buy the organic cat food.
2. Other organic food I eat (will pay money to buy the organic over the regular).
   • Organic Milk – I am of the opinion (and other people agree with me) that organic milk tastes better.  To me, it tastes like you are getting “one grade up” when you buy it – i.e., skim tastes like 1%, 2% tastes like whole, and whole tastes like half & half.  It may be that the “skimming” process is simply less effective, and that is why it tastes better, but I like the illusion that I am eating something healthier. To review: I think it tastes better.
   • Organic Ketchup – I think the Greenwise (and only Greenwise) generic organic ketchup tastes better than all of the others. I think it is a little sweeter, and it costs the same as Heinz, which is the only other ketchup I like (but not as much). I think the agave ketchup tastes horrible, and I will eat my fries straight if that agave stuff is the only thing on the table. The only organic ketchup I buy is the Greenwise brand; to review: I think it tastes better (and is the same price).
   • Organic Whey Protien – I don’t remember the brand, but it is the only whey protein that Greenwise sells in packs, and I like the taste of that one. I tried a big can of some other brands, but I didn’t like the way they tasted. To review: I think it tastes better.

   That’s it, end of list. If you see me buy anything else that’s organic, it is either (a) on sale, or (b) the only one on the shelf at Greenwise.

3. Greenwise has covered parking. What a great idea! In Florida, where it thunderstorms every afternoon in the summer, have a covered parking garage above the store, so customers don’t get rained on/struck by lightning.
4. The service is better. Greenwise has a higher associate to customer ratio, so you can usually find someone to help you, and you don’t have to wait as long in line to checkout. However, you are paying for that extra service.
5. It is down the street from The Dubliner, which makes it a destination on its own.

I don’t buy all of my food at Greenwise, but when it’s raining, I run in there for stuff on my way home. While I am there, I buy the stuff I always get there: organic cat food, organic ketchup, and organic milk. I have not gone “pinko-green” (talk about a mixed metaphor), so those of you that bring up my Greenwise shopping habits, now you know why.

I believe in the free market to provide great goods and services, and the organic foods and the Greenwise stores are a great example why: we shouldn’t force people to adopt our attitudes about food (like the Europeans do), but the market will produce a variety of products for a variety of tastes. Some people can be religious and buy only organic food, some people can be thrifty and only shop at big-box stores for the cheapest products, and some people can be like me – balancing cost and taste to purchase the product bundle that gives us the most satisfaction.

PS: Organic beer (beer marketed as “organic”) tastes like (insert “more colorful metaphor” here).

PPS: Now I’m hungry; and it’s raining – I am heading to Greenwise.