'The Secret Life of Groceries': Author Uncovers The Miracle Of America's Supermarkets

By Steve Goldstein
Published: Thursday, October 1, 2020 - 2:25pm
Updated: Tuesday, March 9, 2021 - 11:49am

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Benjamin Lorr The Secret Life of Groceries
Lucy Walters, Avery Books
Benjamin Lorr and his book, "The Secret Life of Groceries."

As the pandemic was taking shape, many Americans began going to the supermarket more frequently — to the point that shelves that typically held soap, toilet paper and non-perishables were near-empty.

There was worrying, and there was a demand to fix the supply chain so that we could buy the goods we wanted and needed. That dynamic contributed to grocery employees being newly categorized as essential employees.

In his new book "The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket," Benjamin Lorr looks into what makes the whole system possible — pandemic or not.

The Show spoke with Lorr and began by asking how COVID-19 affected the perception of supermarkets and their employees.

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