Ethical Capitalism!

[VinnieUK]

It has just been reported on Sky News(UK) that Asda is to give its surplus food to
the charity 'Fairshare'.

As the Sky News anchorman Murnaghan said,

"It is disturbing that there is a need for a food charity",

but the spokesman for the charity replied that

"there has been an increase in demand from hungry people and there are 5,000,000
people in poverty according to the government's own statistics."

Human society is capable of producing enough food for all but Capitalism
dictates that food be sold at a profit.

Why are they giving surplus food away instead of destroying it? Some form of tax
dodge? Advert?

I do not agree with Fairshare that the company has ethics:laugh:,it has an abysmal
record against its workers.

[Craig_J]

Think it is an advert. I don't know whether it costs to throw unused food or not but if it does that would be another reason explain why they're so keen for someone to come and take it away.

[Bardo]

It's difficult for me to not be suspicious of something like this. Whether it's a condition created by capitalism itself or I'm just a cynical person, I always find myself considering the real motivations for companies trying to brand themselves as "ethical" enterprises. It could be a PR move to appeal to liberal consumers, to shift attention away from their actual worker rights record and social impact, or it could be genuine. Something tells me it's not just a generous gesture even though this is the first time I've ever heard of this company :sneaky:

[helot]

It's difficult for me to not be suspicious of something like this. Whether it's a condition created by capitalism itself or I'm just a cynical person, I always find myself considering the real motivations for companies trying to brand themselves as "ethical" enterprises. It could be a PR move to appeal to liberal consumers, to shift attention away from their actual worker rights record and social impact, or it could be genuine. Something tells me it's not just a generous gesture even though this is the first time I've ever heard of this company :sneaky:

Asda's owned by Walmart...

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

That's ASDA ethics, ding ding (sorry, old ad reference).

It's a cynical move to make themselves appear caring and supportive of those in need blah blah. As appreciative as the food banks will be for what they give, I doubt the motive is really selfless (reminded of instances where pharamceuticals dumped / donated useless drugs to the 3rd world for a tax break in the name of charitable giving; capitalism is always about the bottom line and profits).

[VinnieUK]

Asda's owned by Walmart...

Forgot to mention that! :blushing:

[Slavoj Zizek's Balls]

So much food is wasted that we don't even need surplus food. The contradictions would be quite amusing, if they weren't so damaging to people's life chances.

[Polaris]

capitalism is always about the bottom line and profits

If the company donates the food they can subtract the value of it from their profits, decreasing the amount of taxes they pay. Since the food would have just been destroyed anyway, donating the food doesn't have any effect on their budget. Thus, the company actually gains money by donating it instead of throwing it in the trash.

And as an added benefit, it makes them look good.

[cyu]

Never forget the Plantation Owner's Burden: To bring the Word of God to their heathen slaves. What could be a more ethical and noble goal?

[RebelDog]

This is from a company that uses workfare. Is ASDA really gave a shit about about people not having enough money for food, they would pay people for the work they do.

[Vladimir Innit Lenin]

They are egoists! It's a gesture of good will, so that they can trade off of it.

[InvalidPacket]

.

[Orange Juche]

And as an added benefit, it makes them look good.

Free advertising in the most fucked up kind of way.

[adipocere]

It also has the effect of keeping homeless people away from their dumpsters.

Here in US the grocery stores use bleach.

[TheYoungCommie]

The titles a contradiction in itself.