--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is no small thing for an American to…" description: "\"It is no small thing for an American to be able to go into a fast-food restaurant and to buy a double cheeseburger, fries, and a large Coke for a price..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/michael-pollan-408_achievement_it-is-no-small-thing-for-an-american-to_1302738.png" --- # It is no small thing for an American to be able to go into… ![“It is no small thing for an American to be able to go into a fast-food restaurant and to buy a double cheeseburger, fries, and a large Coke for a price equal to less than an hour of labor at the minimum wage - indeed, in the long sweep of history, this represents a remarkable achievement.” quote by Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/michael-pollan-408_achievement_it-is-no-small-thing-for-an-american-to_1302738.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/michael-pollan-408_achievement_it-is-no-small-thing-for-an-american-to_1302738.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27b/michael-pollan-408_achievement_it-is-no-small-thing-for-an-american-to_1302738.png) > “It is no small thing for an American to be able to go into a fast-food restaurant and to buy a double cheeseburger, fries, and a large Coke for a price equal to less than an hour of labor at the minimum wage - indeed, in the long sweep of history, this represents a remarkable achievement.” [Michael Pollan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-pollan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Affording a cheap fast‑food meal reflects modern economic productivity, yet highlights wage disparity and consumer culture. **In simple terms:** Cheap meals show economic progress but also wage issues. Key Takeaway Recognize both achievement and inequality. Themes economics labor consumerism Mood analytical critical Type sociological informative When to use this quote - budget meals - minimum wage debates - policy discussions Key Concepts wage analysis food industry Questions to Reflect On - How does this affordability affect your view of labor? - What alternatives exist? A Different Perspective Low cost may mask health and ethical concerns. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Achievement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achievement/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Minimum wage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minimum-wage/) [Restaurant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restaurant/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [I see a minimum living wage as a long-term solution, but I'm not sure that's my favorite. 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