Should I ask about this or not?

[timeandeternity]

I’ve recently been doing a lot of research on corporations that support Planned Parenthood, and have discovered a good deal of very reliable information on this. As a result, I’ve been avoiding certain food brands (among other things) when I go shopping. However, I’m at a summer music institute right now, and am eating at the cafeteria, so I don’t know the brands of any of the food items. I’m thinking about asking the cafeteria staff who work there, but I’m not sure whether I’m taking this too far or not. If I’m not, does anyone have any ideas as to how I can ask them without holding up the line for a really long time? Maybe asking them about a couple different food items each time, or stepping to the side with one of the staff so that I can ask them about this? I’d really appreciate some good advice on this!

 

[AlanFromWichita]

My guess is that you are not going to find out the answers you seek. It doesn’t mean you can’t ask.

For sure, I wouldn’t ask while in line, because those working on the line will have no idea and it will just hold up the line. It wouldn’t hurt to ask if you can make an appointment with the purchaser to discuss the brands of products.

I’m guessing they probably buy through distributors and good chance don’t even know what company makes the individual products, but I’m not an expert in the food business.

FWIW,
Alan

 

[TheQuestioner]

You don’t have to ask. It’s alright.

 

[Corki]

I’ve recently been doing a lot of research on corporations that support Planned Parenthood, and have discovered a good deal of very reliable information on this. As a result, I’ve been avoiding certain food brands (among other things) when I go shopping. However, I’m at a summer music institute right now, and am eating at the cafeteria, so I don’t know the brands of any of the food items. I’m thinking about asking the cafeteria staff who work there, but I’m not sure whether I’m taking this too far or not. If I’m not, does anyone have any ideas as to how I can ask them without holding up the line for a really long time? Maybe asking them about a couple different food items each time, or stepping to the side with one of the staff so that I can ask them about this? I’d really appreciate some good advice on this!

I think you are taking it too far. While people disagree about the efficacy of such boycotts, the basic premise is to not share your hard earned money with an organization which is going to hand some of it over to PP. When you shop and avoid some brands, you have a chance of doing that. But when you eat in a cafeteria or a restaurant, you are not choosing the brands. Usually not even the owner of the facility has chosen the brands since so much is bought through food service suppliers. So, even if you knew the brand, your choice to avoid the product would have absolutely no financial impact, not even a negligible one. So, rela on this one.

 

[Moscati]

I think your time and energy would be better spent directly helping to support pro-life causes. Send a donation, or say a special prayer for the unborn before you eat there. It’s practically impossible to keep from having at least some of your money end up with PP.

My fiance loves Coca-Cola. Warren Buffet makes tons of money from his Coke stock. Warren Buffett also donated a serious chunk of change to the Gates Foundation, which directly supports abortions. Technically, every time he drinks a Coke product (which is everything from Sprite to Vitamin Water to McDonald’s food), we indirectly support abortion.

As others have said, it’s unlikely that anyone will be able to tell you much (including what’s floating in the meatloaf . . . ugh). I know my university cafeterias got most of their food from an industrial supplier named Aramark.

 

[Apollos]

I’ve recently been doing a lot of research on corporations that support Planned Parenthood, and have discovered a good deal of very reliable information on this. As a result, I’ve been avoiding certain food brands (among other things) when I go shopping. However, I’m at a summer music institute right now, and am eating at the cafeteria, so I don’t know the brands of any of the food items. I’m thinking about asking the cafeteria staff who work there, but I’m not sure whether I’m taking this too far or not. If I’m not, does anyone have any ideas as to how I can ask them without holding up the line for a really long time? Maybe asking them about a couple different food items each time, or stepping to the side with one of the staff so that I can ask them about this? I’d really appreciate some good advice on this!

If you’re aiming at perfect righteousness, you will not only ask about the food brands, but also about the distributors, the food service company that is actually preparing the food at the institute, and also whether the person frying your burger has procured or assisted in a completed abortion. You will also want to ask whether the people who picked your lettuce were ex-Catholics and whether the janitor is divorced and remarried. Above all, avoid any cheese that supports child soldiers and under no circumstances pay with US currency in any form or with checks drawn on US banks. That way your conscience will be clear.

And remember: Mayonnaise is Murder!

…get my drift?

 

[AlanFromWichita]

Another example of a boycott I read about recently, was the boycott some have against BP stations. One station owner talked about the effectiveness of such a boycott.

As it turns out, much of the gasoline that is sold is not even branded. BP sells large amounts of gasoline to Costco, Meijer, and other fuel outlets, and people who avoid going to the BP station in favor of these outlets, is only punishing the private station owner, not BP.

That’s why I made the comment earlier about the distributors. The chances of any sort of boycott selectively harming the companies you wish to target is low.

Alan

 

[elts1956]

You don’t have to ask. It’s alright.

It’s not alright, or did I misunderstand you? At worst, one could be guilty of remote support of those donating to Planned Parenthood. Continue to boycott those companies you know of. Trying to dig out all the weeds is almost an impossibility these days. Best thing to do is write letters to those you do know support Planned Parenthood. Keep up the good work.