Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

HOWCOME — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:38:42 GMT

I'VE BEEN USING HEATHY TRINITY (A PROBIOTIC BY NATREN) FOR YEARS. I'M FROM CHICAGO AND WOULD GET IT FROM VITAMIN SHOPPE FOR ABOUT $40. WHEN I DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE THE RIDE I WOULD GET IT AT WHOLE FOODS FOR $65. I HAVE RECENTLY MOVED TO SALK LAKE CITY,UT. HERE WILD OATS IS STILL WILD OATS. THE ONLY OBVIOUS DIFFERENCE IS THE SIGN NOW SAYS WHOLE FOODS.

ANYWAY, I HAD TO ORDER HEALTHY TRINITY. WHEN I WAS WITH THE SALES MANAGER AS SHE WAS LOOKING IT UP WE AGREED IT WAS $65. WHEN THE PRODUCT CAME IN IT WAS NOW $101. I WAS SHOCKED!!! NO WAY AM I GOING TO GET RIPPED OFF THAT MUCH.

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

medpug — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 07:39:18 GMT

Overall, pesticide-free and organic foods should be made a little bit more affordable so that more people of different economic backgrounds can have access to the food and be able to afford it. With the exception of the 365 label, the food can be quite pricey at a place like Whole Foods. Easier said than done, perhaps, but it would be nice.

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

RichJedi — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:22:03 GMT

As a regular Whole Foods shopper, I've been VERY happy to see that, at least here in the Long Island, NY area, that the'yre buying much more local produce grown on Long Island farms, which often have very good and fertile soil, relatively speaking at least to how it used to be. I told the management and they appreciated the support and said that it's something they're stronly pushing for.

I spoke to some workers who said that even they go around and scout out new farms and companies to partner with and make recomendations to management, who then sets up a partnership with the local farmers. They often even name the names of the farms that the apples, celery, carrots, cucumbers, etc...comes from.

They're also starting to have local farmers markets right in front of the stores several times a year. Right now it's in it's initial stages but they're planning to increase it as much as they can, hopefully to several times a month.

This was GOOD news to me as I like Whole Foods at lot and am glad that they're changing for the better and getting much more involved with local farmers to support the local economy and real, healthy food raised locally as it should be.

It's interesting also to note that when you go to a place like Whole Foods or other organic foods stores, even the FEEL of the place is that of being more "Alive" then a large supermarket chain. I noticed this also when I started going to organic food stores many years ago...I wonder why huh?? ;). More Whole Foods means more life energy, more Chi, the "Life Force"..something you can actually feel.

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

angelicabeads — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:34:23 GMT

I had no idea that Trader Joe's is not a USA-based company. Although when I lived in California I shopped both there and at Whole Foods, Whole Foods had, by far, the much fresher and greater selection of produce and meats. Although buying canned or packaged goods at TJ is less expensive than buying them at WF, I overwhelmingly prefer shop at WF. If I'm buying such products as paper towels, toilet paper, etc. I'll go to the least expensive grocery store in my area. There is only one WF in the entire Charleston, SC, area and it's a 25-minute drive from my home, so I am grateful that our Publix has expanded it's stock of organic meats, chicken, dairy products, and produce. However, I've no idea who actually produces this meat and poultry; it's marketed under the name "Greenwise", so there's no way to find out.

Publix is very close to my home, so I shop there frequently, and go to WF only once a month or so. I buy all my supplements at WF, and such products as garlic granules, flour, and so on that are sold in bulk. It's a treat to purchase meat, poultry, and seafood from WF, but I'll still do it every so often. Of course I can buy local products such as white gulf shrimp, but the state is very polluted and has nearly no environmental protections or testing in place; they don't even smog cars, and you can burn leaves and tires in your backyard. There is a paper factory that spews out who-knows-what out of its facility, which is also very scary. Therefore, I'm not sure that the farmers here are producing any foods that meet the "organic" criteria, but the tomatoes are fresher and taste good. ;o)

I think that WF does a remarkable job in the variety of items carried, and their employees are quite knowledgeable even about supplements. It's an ethical company, and I still trust it for its honesty and continued efforts to support the organic movement.

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

lovesdragons — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 01:56:11 GMT

In reading this article, the first complaint is price. I consider the extra cost for certified organic food analogous to paying for health insurance--and I've not been sick since going on an 80% (or greater) diet.

The other complaint is the "carbon footprint" of buying non-local food. This may sound cold--but, frankly I don't care. It is more important to me personally to have uber-healthy food than worry about how much fuel it took for my out-of-season peppers to get to market.

Furthermore, the farmers at the farmer's market I would go to all used to say they had organic produce, but it was not certified. Who's to say they were not lying just to try to get me to buy their produce. That is why I focus on buying at least 80% certified organic food.

One more point--if someone wants to complain about pricing, I ask what 'energy' are you putting out there? If you've watched "the Secret" or "What the Bleep do we know" or read any of the Conversations With God Books, you will know what I am talking about. If one thinks negatively--that is what they attract.

If someone has PC--poverty consciousness--that is what they attract.

So then--how does one effectively shop at Whole Foods???

Well first off, don't go in like the 'typical' consumer with your brain turned off like a dumb sheep. Whole Foods is a business in business to make a profit just like all other businesses. If you are thinking and paying attention while you shop, you probably won't spend as much as if you wander in like a zombie--I've seen it.

Second when you go to Whole Foods, remember they are a grocery store. And just like every other grocery store, the more expensive items are at typical eye-level. So, look around the shelves. Also realize they have impulse buys at the register.

Turn your brain on and think!

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

Islander — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:28:36 GMT

Breaking news, as of 7/12/07: the CEO of Whole Foods has been outed as an anonymous poster on a Yahoo financial site. Using an anagram of his wife's name as his screen name, he has spent the last 7 years or so denigrating Wild Oats - a WF competitor - with the intent to drive down its value so that he can buy them out at bargain prices. If his actions can be proven, he may do prison time.

As a matter of fact, the first Maine WF moved into Portland roughly 6 months ago, and almost immediately bought out the Wild Oats outlet across the street.

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

criner — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:25:29 GMT

People who want to save money at Whole Foods need to look for their 365 brand, which usually is good and cheap

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

A.M.E. — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:42:03 GMT

While I can't say that everything at WF is organic nor is it environmentally friendly I can say that I applaud the one that is near me for taking bulk soy flour off of the shelf. They have gotten rid of a few other things that I think they shouldn't have; but, if it doesn't sell why would they carry it for just one person? They still have to make money to stay in business. I just wish they would actually educate themselves on what is truly healthy versus what special interest groups say is. I have never seen so many soy items in my life and all under the guise of health. People who don't know any better go there for superior health food and will buy things regardless of ingredients because they think all of it is healthy. If I didn't know better I would to as would you...we perish for lack of knowledge.

I still shop at WF but just for things that my local grocer doesn't carry. My local grocer, though, is starting to carry more and more organic and specialty health items. For the past 10 years I have been reading the labels on all my food. I find I have to do this less and less now because I don't buy many things that are not in their natural raw state already. It truly comes down to people being educated about what is right for good health and what is right for their bodies.

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

Ninja — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:19:28 GMT

ot nru Also, I will agree with the poster who mentioned Mercola's outrageous prices. It is hypocritical for him to be criticizing high prices. However, this does not absolve WFM of guilt.

My gripe with WFM prices is that they're selling essentially the same crap with the same bad ingredients that you can get for a third the price or less elsewhere (Jewel, Dominick's, etc).

I remember once a very unhealhty woman was shopping there, and she said at checkout:

"I'm so glad there's a WFM nearby, it makes it so much easier to eat healhty!"

Unreal. I wanted to tell her that she might as well just poison herself at Jewel and use the money she saved to pay for a widescreen plasma tv to watch in her convalescence.

I could see the prices being so high if WFM was using organic ingredients in its prepared foods, and good ingredients all around. Instead they use cheap and unhealthy canola oil and copra, they use non-organic, non-virgin olive oil (and then rarely, favoring canola), most items on the shelf contain autolyzed yeast extract, modified food starch, non-organic corn, white flour, white sugar (hey, it's cheaper than Sucanat!), corn syrup, fructose, smoke powder, dried milk (welcome to your heart attack!), and just about every bad ingredient you'd see at a non-"health food" store.

It's all about money to WFM, and health is at the very bottom of their list. They're taking advantage of the fact that most people shopping there have more money than brains and do not understand that WFM sells mainly overpriced junk.

Most of the time when I go there, few items in produce are organic, and fewer still locally grown. We went an entire summer without being able to find organic watermelon at WFM. Organic limes? Good luck! Lemons? Nope. Cucumber? Uh-uh!

To anyone with eyes to see and the integrity to be honest, WFM is a total scam.

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

Ninja — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:03:11 GMT

I find it interesting that almost all the negative comments about Whole Scam Market have gotten negative feedback, while all those praising the store have gotten positive votes. Looks like the WFM Army is skewing the votes.

For those who thumbed down my post, I challenge you to disprove anthing I have said (excluding a couple of outrageously bad typos - yikes!). I regularly check the ingredients at WFM and I find more crappy ones every week. Their prices are getting higher and higher, while the quality dips.

Now many of their lunch meats have whey protein added, canola oil, and other bizarre ingredients that have no business being in there. Why add whey protein to meat?

This is why I try to do most of my shopping at Sunflower and Trader Joe's. Trader Joes is just as bad with their poor ingredients, but at least they're not trying to monopolize the industry and they don't charge an arm and a leg for their products.

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

C Ed Wright — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:57:25 GMT

Perspective, perspective, perspective, let's all keep our perspective: Money Magazine is simply that part of M5 that unlike broadcast TV which geared to the lowest common denominator, is instead geared to the more economically mobile sheeple that still feel need to be led around by the nose.

Whole Foods Markets (WFM) is merely an alternative grocery source to the regular mass market chains. Their prices do vary from a few actually = or even less for some items to above average to right through the roof. Their selections and even prices vary according to store management and local /regional suppliers. There is no law that forces anyone to employ one-stop shopping nor precludes comparison shopping by price, either.

WFM's primary claim-to-fame is that they pre-screen their sources according to various company criteria, and refuse to carry products containing "partially hydrogenated" i.e. Trans Fats, artificial coloring, and aluminum in such items as baking powder, etc. They are not & do not pretend to be the sum total answer to today's world problems. Less than half their produce is organic; the rest is pre-screened for other factors such as no pesticides but that may not qualify under strict stds. as Organic -- it's about availability.

For me, it's where I can find a certain few items w/o PH/TF, a favorite brand of Uncured (no nitrites) Turkey Bacon, and a favorite brand of imported Italian pasta for an occasional side dish. Pretty much everything else comes from ShopRite. Shop wisely sheeple!

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

RichJedi — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 23:46:30 GMT

I also feel that this article was not well deserved.

What Dr.Mercola is focusing on here when he asks if the cost of whole foods is cancelled out by the distance the food travels is not really relevant.

Most people didn't start shopping at whole foods because of the fact that it's local produce. They started shopping there for health reasons, to eat better, feel better and be healthier. So to say that it's not worth shopping at Whole Foods simply because of that is a narrow view and only one argument.

As shown by the large number of positive comments most people like Whole Foods. I have WF, Trader Joes, Fairway which is another awesome organic market here in the NYC area. I usually bounce around to all three for the best deals.

Sure WF is more expensive overall and I always spend more then I want there. But with the selection, quality of foods, natural cold cuts, snacks, my fruits and veggies I use for juicing and such I have no complaints. Not to mention that that staff are always very nice and you get a good feeling from the store itself and the people who work there

My local Farmers Market is cheaper, but WF's celery for example is much healthier, produces more juice and is much fresher. They do buy local from Long Island farms whenever they can. If not, I know that they try to get it as close to the store as they possible can.

They may not be perfect, but I say, so far so good for Whole Foods. I hope they keep up the good work!

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

LP4267 — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 22:22:43 GMT

I am always confused....which is better - locally-grown, non-organic produce (from the farmers market) or organic (like from whole foods)?

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

Janer — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:36:44 GMT

I was outraged to see that Whole Foods was selling garlic from China. I contacted them. They said they purchased 'organic' garlic from China because they needed large quantities to supply all their stores and could not find that quantity anywhere else. I asked how they could say that the garlic was 'organic' siting concerns with commercial warehousing and shipping fumigation on its' way to the States, and what were the Chinese regulations and certifications for 'organic'. I never heard back from them, but within weeks they were no longer selling organic garlic from China. Whole Foods is just another Walmart when it comes to food quality.

re: Whole Foods: The Whole Truth

Ninja — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 05:49:43 GMT

My last post did not seem to go through. Whole Foods is a scam. They sell nothing but garbage that is loaded with white sugar, white flour, corn syrup, autolyzed yeast extract, canola oil, table salt (plain sodium chloride, not Celtic sea salt), and other bad ingredients. All the prepared food is made with conventional produce. Most of the vegetables which should be gotten locally (such as lettuce, here at the Chicago stores) are actually imported from as far as Mexico, California, and from various overseas countries in South America.

I used to work there, and I know how rotten a company it is. They are a blight on the health industry and are becoming almost a monopoly and putting mom and pop stores out of business.