Contemplating "value"
I've been thinking alot about the word "value" both as a mama, a business owner and a consumer. In these unsure economic times it is more and more evident that we need to make sound and worthy choices. In other words choices that reflect our values. Value is more than dollars and cents. In fact it has less to do with the price tag and more with the entire chain of events leading to a product.
If you haven't already picked it up I recommend reading "Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan. It talks specifically about food, yet the argument applies across the board on local vs. organic vs. large vs. independent. I've attempted to let this philosophy guide me in my decision making. He talks objectively about the higher cost (price tag) of organic. His resulting conclusion being can we afford the cost of NOT buying organic? (for more detail please read the book!)
As a family we try to buy from small or local suppliers where possible. Or even better (for food), grow it in our back yard. We've taken baby steps by switching to eco-friendly laundry and body soaps or using Bum Genius diapers for our daughter. We recycle just about everything, but are blessed with a city that is very supportive of this effort and makes it very easy to do so. We still have a ways to go, but each time we can switch just one more thing . . .
As business owners we have always tried to add value by producing our bedding and garments in the USA. Frankly, until the last two to three years most people didn't care to notice. I am happy to report that tide is turning a bit.
Converting all of our products to 100% Certified Organic cotton in 2006 was another value decision that we had been forced to hold on until the market was ready. It was at that point where interest was rising while cost of materials was coming down slightly. Still we find organic cotton to be 2 1/2 times the cost of "conventionally" grown cotton, yet, as Mr. Pollan would argue, can you put a price on the environmental impact of (not) growing organically?
