Orange Gate

Tolerance is a funny thing. If there is a viewpoint that we agree with, we are likely to tell others to be tolerant if they don’t agree. But let the tables turn and the ‘tolerance’ turns to vehement opposition. Out the window goes the fair, objective and permissive attitude towards opinions, beliefs and practices that differ from one’s own.

Take for example the issue of peeled citrus at Whole Foods (and other fine retailers). Goodness gracious, how could they even think of peeling a piece of fruit and then placing it in a plastic package when God gave that fruit the ideal package to begin with. While there is truth in that statement, what about my neighbor whose hands are crippled from arthritis? He can barely open a banana; peeling an orange is nearly impossible for him. But let a few activist do-gooders crusade to save us from ourselves and next Whole Foods is apologizing for providing a healthy product to those who otherwise might not have enjoyed it.

I just don’t understand the rush to be outraged. While a healthy 8-year old should be able to peel an orange that is included in his school lunch, an 80-year old has different abilities and needs. If a retailer chooses to present a product to the marketplace, customer dollars alone should dictate if it stays on the shelves. The rise of the fresh-cut segment of fresh produce is testament to the changing wants and needs of the customer. Save the outrage for truly horrific events, not peeled fruit.