Be the change you want to see in the world.
☮ Mohandas Gandhi ☮

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Week 16: TOMS Shoes v. Whole Foods Ethically

I really enjoyed researching my final project for Media Ethics on TOMS Shoes vs. Whole Foods Market regarding the ethical image these two brands have built themselves on. Basically what I found, and what most research discussed was the Utilitarianism concern behind TOMS providing or "giving" (the term that they have marketed) a pair of shoes to a child in need when your purchase their shoes. The problem is the economies in these countries would benefit more so if TOMS would support their market by taking advantage of the businesses in these areas and allowing entrepreneurs to provide the second pair. Whole Foods rather, has the Whole Planet Foundation, which encourages micro-financing, where they provide the money, tools, and help for entrepreneurs to build their own successful companies and become self-sustainable.This is an article which discusses some of these issues.

http://smorgasblurb.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/toms-shoes-vs-whole-foods/