Anything for loaf

Wondering how this will end, a pay-what-you-want bakery store brought to you by Panera.

The national bakery and restaurant chain launched a new nonprofit store here this week that has the same menu as its other 1,400 locations. But the prices are a little different — there aren’t any. Customers are told to donate what they want for a meal, whether it’s the full suggested price, a penny or $100.

At least it makes for an interesting social experiment: will people on average underpay or overpay. And how free (or hungry, or financially strapped) will people feel to pay just  a penny for a loaf (“keep the change”) – especially when others are watching. Or people buying more than they usually would. And have you never wanted to walk into a store, slam a dollar on the counter: “I’ll buy everything you have”.  The question is whether it is a commercially viable model, or that it only works as a non-profit model with the proceeds going to charity. My money (2 cents and a nickel) is on the latter, with which it is hard enough already to run it cost neutral. Bon appetit.

Carrot or stick

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Forget the boycott, join the carrotmob.

Carrotmob is a type of consumer activism in which businesses compete at how socially responsible they can be, and then a network of consumers spends money to support whichever business makes the strongest offer. We harness consumer power to make it possible for the most socially-responsible business practices to also be the most profitable choices. It’s the opposite of a boycott.

Food: the disease and the cure

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Again, some food for thought after reading ‘In defense of food‘ by Michael Pollan.

At the moment several food related diseases, like obesity and diabetes, are booming. But instead of using common sense, people rely on health care. Already doctors are excellent in keeping people with heart diseases alive. And they are on its way with obesity and diabetes. Diabetes is accepted as completely normal more and more. Apparently it is easier or any how much more profitable to change a disease of a civilization into a lifestyle, than change the way that civilization eats.

Forgive me if that sounds too cynical. But to me it’s important to take responsibility for my own life, for my own health. So, please take this advice from Dr. Matters: eat your veggies and live juicy.

Juicy shopping

While walking through the supermarket I see the cartons of ‘Innocent Drinks’. I really dig this brand, their tongue in cheek and twisted attitude. Pleasure runs through the veins of this company.

Their products make shopping fun. On their list of ingredients stuff like ’0 rubber ducks’. Reading and discovering all this stuff is quite tasty. With a smile on my face I spent a few minutes in front of the shelves examining all their packages. They even use the bottom to spread their messages. This one I like the most on their smoothie with blackberries, strawberries and boysenberries:

No Barry White (0% Barry, 30% Berries).
OK, that was silly.

And they were honest, I checked it: no Barry inside….

Eating with your mind

Recently I read ‘In defense of food‘ by Michael Pollan. Very refreshing and entertaining book about theories and facts on food.

Here one example that shows that not only the food matters, but also the mind. What or how you think about food is important for what it does to you.

In an experiment a group of Americans was shown the word ‘chocolate cake’ and they were asked which association came up in their mind. ‘Feeling guilty’ was the most heard reaction. And the French eaters mainly said: ‘Celebration’. Same cake, different taste……

Feeling guilty or celebration?