Two facts about myself: I very much enjoy cooking; I live in downtown Detroit. Until very recently, these two things were at extreme odds with one another. Finally, in the last week of October a small, but very well stocked grocery store opened up not far from my home. It has changed my life significantly, no hyperbole intended. The fact is, many urban centers are so called "food deserts", places where one can't find fresh bread or produce readily and affordably. Tonight, for example, I made french onion soup (my first attempt, which was amazing); this required several varieties of vegetables and herbs to make the stock, good quality cheese, fresh bread, and, not least, the the patience to attend cooking onions for ~1.5 hours. This was all made possible by the fact that I was able to go my local grocery store and buy ingredients after work. This simply would not have been possible for me even six weeks ago (for the last several years, I've mainly survived on Pizza, Chinese takeout and Jimmy John's--sad, really). But there is another contributing factor, too, which is that I grew up in a good home, where my parents taught me some basic life skills. Many very delicious and healthy things are simple and cost effective to cook, but if you've never had anyone teach you some basic skills, then you may lack the knowledge or confidence to even try. I think for a lot of America, food comes from the grocery store in a pre-packaged box, or from a fast food window; it doesn't come from the ground or the stove or the oven. Of course, there are a lot of reasons for this, but it is the case, nonetheless. It is easy to ridicule anyone who would buy toast pre-packaged, but I don't think we should be so quick to judge. Lack of access and lack of knowledge (combined with absolutely silly food policy) are what lead to things like reheatable toast, and it is a way bigger problem than anyone in most areas are aware of. I grew up in a suburb where I had no less than 8 grocery stores (by a rough count off the top of my head) within a few minute drive from my house, and I always took it for granted, as I'm sure anyone would. Fortunately, the government has started to subsidize farmers' markets to accept food stamps, which often come on a debit card, requiring wireless access. This is a step in the right direction, but a small one, to be sure. I don't know a good solution, but I know that one can't just laugh at people who buy ridiculous things like frozen toast; there is a reason manufacturers make frozen toast, after all.
Thanks for your response, and the "reality check" behind why frozen toast is purchased and in many cases, a (sad) necessity. It also makes me want to be more careful and precise in my word choice, presentation. My post does focus more upon the decision to buy the frozen toast as opposed to the reasons why it's necessary. And I can understand how my focus' demeanor is a bit too ridicule heavy, which I'm not proud of, especially since it is not my intention. I did add that section about "the need to purchase frozen toast is symptomatic of the larger issues: Industrialism, lack of knowledge (which I put as "lack of education"), etc." - but clearly, that section did not carry its weight. And I certainly didn't consider "food deserts". I've never lived in an environment like that (I also grew up and still live in areas surrounded by grocery stores, bakeries, etc.) - and remembering that everyone doesn't have access to the food choices I've got: it's a very necessary eye-opener. Helps me be more grateful for my food options and more interested in the ways others can gain wider access.
Maybe not the end of the world, but certainly a society that lets profits decide what's good for the people above all else. Detroit is an unbelievable place in many ways, but one of the idiosyncratic things about it is that it has around 800,000 people and 0 chain grocery stores. There is a farmers market once per week, and a number of small corner stores, but no major grocery retailers for 800,000 people (by contrast the 8 grocery stores I mentioned in my post serve ~100,000 people in the suburbs). That will change soon, as a Whole Foods is set to open next summer. I will shop there, but I don't know how much it will change the lives of many of the residents, a fair number of whom probably can't afford to shop there.
b_b, this morning I mentioned your comment to my housemate, and he immediately said, "oh, like a food desert." He was already well versed on this issue and our conversation turned into a short history of how my little section of San Diego, called City Heights, became an urban farming hub (farmers markets with EBT, vacant lots into farming space, etc.). The root of this history: City Heights was once designated a food desert. I am learning. We also watched a TED talk on the subject/movement given by LaDonna Redmond, a Chicago-based food systems activist. She visits a lot of the issues you mentioned in your first comment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWukl6lqyJI