Ok, I admit I have already bought $700 billion worth of spices from Penzeys (not a shill :-D). It is what I do. I do it because Bill Penzey has repeatedly put his business on the line — money/mouth/where it is. Damn, second time this has happened to me. Link to Penzey’s Open Letter to America's CEOs pulls up my frigging email. Please just type in Penzyes Open Letter on Mr. Google to read the whole thing. Ok, also, I do it because I love to cook/bake with brilliant spices/herbs.
This is a man and company who didn’t care whether or not they took hits from the nation’s racists. Last letter he wrote, including a means to unsubscribe, showed that he had over 99% faithful customers. Racists, misogynists, homophobes, xenophobes apparently don’t cook with finesse.
Our customers come from all walks of life. The kindness of cooks knows no borders or divides. In the aftermath of the election, seeing the intentional damage inflicted on so many outside the white heterosexual male world, we raised our voice.
. . . .
And while the reasons for why we took a stand might be specific to our unique outlook, what we learned actually applies to all commerce in the United States. What we learned is that President-elect Donald Trump has no real support. Voters, sure, but no constituency. Running a campaign on "that horrible-terrible-woman who should be locked up," while at the same time working to raise fear of minorities among white voters with limited access to education, clearly achieved its goal. But none of it left Americans with any sense of connection to the candidate they actually voted for.
Read the whole thing.
Look for businesses who support progressive causes — human rights. I’ve just sent in another order for me and those I know who cook.
Blessings to Bill Penzey and his entire crew. And if you read the whole link, since Bill Penzey first posted his rant against Trumpism, his business is up almost 60%. Progressives can win if they are brave and progressive. Unlike many who only rant from a keyboard — Bill ranted from his office and risked retribution.
I have multiple bumper stickers from every order: “Love People, Cook them tasty food.” I don’t do bumper stickers but love the sentiment.