It's arguably better for the environment and for our communities when people buy from (small, local, organic) farmers markets, co-ops, CSA's, etc. I don't wish Whole Foods any ill will, but small is beautiful, as they say.

Posted on February 28, 2007 — by Helen

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If anything, this is a step in the right direction. While Whole Foods had confidence in the organic food market before other big retailers and increased awareness, their prices are much higher than their competitors and unrealistic for most working people. Co-ops are the way to go. Please open more in Los Angeles!

Posted on March 1, 2007 — by antifolkhero

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As someone who shopped in the original Bread and Circus, I echo shoppers' feelings who are now disappointed in Whole Foods Markets.

They have far less organic produce than they used to. Infuriatingly, conventional produce is announced and labelled in the same manner as organic produce, even though it is merely "conventional". The company needs some re-radicalization! They haven't done anything innovative for years, except try to make more money of their own 365 brand.

Whole Foods is living up to its appelate: "Whole Paycheck", but for no good reason!

Posted on March 2, 2007 — by domi555

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Yes, it’s true, that some mistakes have been made at the store level and it is also true that you can’t serve everyone’s grocery needs every day. However, that does not negate the fact that Whole Foods is great store to shop, for both organic food lovers and their more mainstream food loving families. My husband is an organic foody and by shopping at Whole Foods, he has had a healthy influence on our whole family.

At the corporate level, not only is Whole Foods not slipping from their throne, they are industry leaders when it come to environmental conscientiousness. In 2005 alone, Whole Foods Market purchased more than 458,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable energy credits from (local) wind farms. This purchase averted more than 700 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution that year. As far as environmental impact, that’s the equivalent of taking 60,000 cars off the road or planting 90,000 acres of trees.

Posted on March 2, 2007 — by eileeninboldtype

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First I'd suggest anyone interested (and with a couple spare hours) check out Whole Foods CEO John Mackey's blog on their site: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blogs/jm/

His commentary and responses to posts make it abundantly clear that a LOT of thought has been put into the company and how it operates. He also has some wild quotes from a book by Peter Singer and Jim Mason, "The Way We Eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter," such as:

"To put the energy involved in sea transport in perspective with other energy uses, taking the average car just five extra miles to visit a local farm or market will put as much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as shipping 17 pounds of onions halfway around the world, from New Zealand to London."

Personally I feel WF has performed an amazing tightrope act, considering one side feels they are too snobby and expensive, and the other that they are still not pure enough, corporations are evil, etc. Can they improve? Of course. But how many companies have had the success they've had and retained this level of quality and commitment to their ideals?

Posted on March 2, 2007 — by gregrmurphy

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