Okay, a blog about "Rice Krispy Treats" - really!
Went to the store this morning and picked up a box of Rice Krispy Treats. The brand name is Kellogg. Of course Kellogg's cereals factory is about 80 miles south and east of me in Battle Creek.
Along comes a guy wearing a UAW shirt. I have no idea whether he is a trucker or what but he asks if I know where those Rice Krispy Treats are made... My immediate response was Battle Creek. He turned my attention to the side of the box. There in plain English is the disclaimer "Product of Mexico, Distributed by Kellogg's..."
He then proceeded to mention that the product is trucked in from Mexico and repackaged in Battle Creek and then shipped to points far and wide...
Foolish me! I assumed that Kellog's Rice Krispy Treats would be manufactured and distributed right here in Good 'ol USofA... Wrong! But, in my defense, I don't routinely read "the small print" on the side of a box such as Rice Krispy Treats.
I mention this because it caused me to rethink about my assumptions. I assumed (for instance) that Kellog's Cereals was doing business the same way as they were years ago. I remember making a school trip to Kellog's factory back when I was in junior high school. Things have changed.
I have been thinking about the "Free Trade Agreement" (FTA) between Canada, Mexico and the US. For those who say "buy American" the effect is to neutralize the FTA. After all, parts for a car (maybe the engine) are made in Canada ane shipped to an assembly plant in the US. If we check the components of the new car in the show room there is a list of how much came from where.
So, thinking about cars having a full disclosure on where the parts were made is no different in terms of my little box of Kellogg's Rice Krispy Treats.
I doubt I could find a "rice krisy treat" made totally in the US save, perhaps, by the local baker in the small town near where I live. But the ingredients (flour, salt, whatever) might have come from another country...
The lesson I was reminded of this morning at the Costco outlet was assumptions can be foolish. Not sure of my choices for this or that item any more - so if I were trying to buy American I might have set myself up for failure (even before I get started!).
Buying American may be a "way of the past" no longer available to those so inclined...
FWIIW
Here is my "enhanced" Krispie Treat formula:
1. Prepare a 9x13 pan by smearing it with butter or fish oil spray (I hate canola oil -- taste like fish to me)
2. In a very large pan cook 1/4 cup of sugar and 1/4 corn syrup over medium-high heat. Stir frequently until melted.
3. Let sugar and syrup bubble for about 1 minute.
4. Reduce heat to low or medium-low.
5. Add 1 stick butter; 1 bag (16 ounces) of marshmallows. Stir constantly until marshmallows are melted. Remove from heat.
6. Stir in 6 cups Rice Krispies. Work quickly with VERY sturdy spoon. Stir until well coated.
7. Somehow, get the gooey hot mess into the prepared 9x13 pan.
8. Get some butter on your hands and pat it down smooth. Let cool a few minutes. Cut into serving size before completely cool.
About bottled water... I only buy Fiji water. I want my water to come from the opposite side of the planet! (How crazy is that?)