While I don't always agree with John Mackey's politics, I like this Whole Foods I'm at (right now).

[LoZoccolo]

John Mackey said something about how he opposed the Obama health care bill and of course I disagreed with that. I agree that we could be looking after our health better but there's way more to health care than that. Plus he opposes certain types of unions other than ones where it's like one union only for that company.

That having been said, Whole Foods supports a lot of companies with progressive and environmental values and that's why I like to shop there. I don't think his statement had much effect on the debate, but I do know that the vendors that have products sold through Whole Foods often take a sustainable approach. Plus a lot of food is delicious. I just had some things from the hot bar. I'm glad to be at Whole Foods right now!

[sufrommich]

1. Whole Foods is outrageously over

priced food ,regardless of politics.

[earthside]

2. You must be wealthy.

I've never been to a more over-priced food store ... at least from my middle class existence.

[paulk]

3. "Whole Paycheck"

Vitamin Cottage is much cheaper...

[JitterbugPerfume]

4. Trader Joe is a better choice

IMO

[sufrommich]

5. Yep, and not as expensive. nt

[Fawke Em]

9. To bad my community doesn't have one.

The closest one is 250 miles away.

[JitterbugPerfume]

10. I used to go to TJs when my sister lived in Indianapolis

and I loved it . Unfortunately she up and married a Brit and moved to England, so she put a stop to that!I love the farmers markets in summer and Fall but even the chickens arent laying in this COLD. I had to buy store eggs today and it really upset me to pay $3 a dozen when the farmer sells far superior eggs for$2 a dozen!

dammit

[cyglet]

6. Can't you find

a local coop?

I've never understood the concept of a corporate store that sells the same food as a coop...with a conservative bent...and people willingly go there.

[tkmorris]

7. IMHO Whole Foods is a scam

I think it's primary demographic is people who wear Liberalism as a costume, and have far too much money to spend on it in order to prove their street cred. There is no reason for most of the items they sell to cost what they charge but it seems if you stick a "100% Organic!" label on something that some folks will buy it anyway.

The fact that it's run by a hard core right-winger and that they treat their employees like disposable chattel only reinforces that belief.

I could be wrong of course, and no offense is meant to you if you find it worth shopping there. It's just not my cup of (Chai) tea.

[PassingFair]

16. I shopped there for the year that my daughter was a vegan. I hated every minute of it.

But it was the only place that I could buy everything on her list.


I was VERY happy when she backed down to just being "vegetarian" again.

[MH1]

17. It's the only grocery store within walking distance of my job

AND certainly the only one where I can get the stuff I can get there.

Some stuff is less expensive than my local natural foods store near my home. So I don't buy into the "Whole Paycheck" thing. Although, in general it is more expensive than a 'regular' grocery store, but if you want to talk about employees being treated like chattel ...

Plus, getting lunch at their food bar is a godsend in the city. Otherwise the closest to healthy food I can really get is Salad Works.

I've been taking canvas bags to the grocery store instead of plastic for DECADES. For just one example of my long term commitment to the environment. Nope, I don't think you can fairly say that I "wear Liberalism as a costume" and I think it's demeaning stereotyping to assume that about others who shop there. (btw, it isn't about liberalism, it's more about environmentalism and/or health. Lots of liberals really don't know much, and some don't seem to really care much, about serious environmental issues, which can be quite frustrating to those of us who do. - Sorry you just pushed one of my buttons there.)

The employees I see there always seem happy and they are very pleasant if I ask for help.

I was unhappy with Mackay's statement about health care. I kind of see where he was coming from although I disagree with it, and it didn't improve my feelings about the store. I considered boycotting ... but for the way I use it, I really have no other choice.

[Luminous Animal]

8. So, the food that you are buying comes from local farms?

Because, if not, you are not buying sustainable.

Whole Foods will buy a small amount of product from nearby farms and then use that farmer in its PR. But the vast majority of the food at Whole Foods is trucked, shipped, and flown long distances and its shelves are full of processed food.

Also, Whole Foods puts consistent pressure on the government to weaken "organic" standards.

[johnaries]

11. Whilst I appreciate you "seeing for yourself", I hated

Whole Foods even before Mackey's opinions became public. Frankly, I find them over-priced and extremely deceptive. Before the press, I had to question many of the "healthy" claims they made and found that they make all kinds of claims that are completely unsupported and in some cases actually contrary to the claims!

I also tried it the "hot bar" once, and found the food inedible.

I miss the local store, but I agree that Trader Joe's is superior. But, my favorite store is still Kroger's. I've noticed that most Kroger's stores adapt to the local community, but they all have "health sections" that rival the health food stores. Further, within the "normal" selection they offer alternatives that are much cheaper than anything you find at Whole Foods or Trader Joes. They are usually offered as "generics" rather than Premium. Just RTFL (Read The F*cking Label!)

One of my biggest questions was about Kroger Sweet Acidophilus milk. This is obviously a local Purity Dairy product, but the Kroger brand is almost half-price. Then I saw a innocuous Kroger sticker stating that ALL Kroger milk was non-rBST. This may not mean a lot to many people, but some people may over-state the importance. The bottom-line is that it doesn't have larger levels of pus.

Enjoy Whole Foods. I'll keep saving money AND my health at Kroger's.

[tblue]

12. I applaud anyone who tries to make

conscientious food choices.

I can't believe all these daggers thrown at you. For this? Who cares? Take what you want from it and shop wherever your heart desires.

Fact is most of the huge-corporate manstream supermarkets sell the worst stuff with crappy ingredients. You have to read every label carefully. And these stores often treat their employees like dirt. The money you save actually costs somebody something substantial one way or another.

Whole Foods reportedly treats their employees pretty well and at least purports to sell food instead of prettified chemicals. It does cost more to eat right unless you are together enough to grow your own food or make it to the local farmers market regularly.

No store is perfect but you can look for locally sourced produce at Whole Foods or anywhere else just about. Trader Joe's is a great solution but every community does not have one. And they don't carry every product -- like paper napkins and popcorn kernels.

You can save either money or you can save time/convenience. It's hard to save both. And we each get to decide what's best for ourselves and our families. I shop at WF, TJ's, Safeway, and the locally farmers market -- if I can make it there early enough on Sunday mornings. I don't have much money, but we just decided this is our priority. And my hubby has a veggie garden too. It is a lot of work and everything doesn't turn out as planned. Haha! Not everybody can or wants to do a garden.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I value what you said. Shop where you want to and enjoy it. Hope you have a lovely, lively, healthful New Year!

[MH1]

18. Thank you!

Whole Foods may not be the perfect choice, or even the best choice for some, but it is better than a lot of possible choices.

[Starry Messenger]

13. Whole Foods Parking Lot

[downwardly_mobile]

15. Watch this people, if you haven't seen it yet!

Thanks for posting it, SM --

"You're the most annoying dude I've ever seen, brah --
Could you please move, you're right in front of the quinoa"

[Zorra]

14. Do you work for them, or for a marketing agency that has Whole Foods

as a client, or something like that?

This is like the 3rd or 4th time ( to my recollection) you've advertised for Whole Foods.

[Bonobo]

19. It is basically spam. nt

[Starry Messenger]

20. Some are just overcome with the heady scent of $20 goat cheese sold by non-union labor.