I just found out today that a Whole Foods is going to be built close to my neighborhood. Too bad it’s not an Earth Fare.
While many crunchy, green mamas might rejoice at Whole Foods coming to town, I am in mourning because Whole Foods is basically on par with your “neighborhood”  Walmart.
There is nothing “neighborly” about Walmart or Whole Foods.
What a joke.
Whole Foods is just another cutthroat Corporate Bully dressed in organic, “let’s save the world”, “buy local” disguise with the shareholders in full throttle, profit taking control.
While Whole Foods is undoubtedly counting on health conscious Moms like me in the neighborhood cha-chinging away at the brand spanking new registers, let me just share with you that you won’t see The Healthy Home Economist browsing the aisles there.
I’ll be shopping at the 2 small, local healthfood stores less than a mile away where I’ve shopped for the past 15 years. Â That’s where my business loyalty lies.
I spend almost all my food money with local businesses and local farms. Â Not Whole Foods.
How could I possibly rationalize shopping at Whole Foods which has recently rolled over on the GMO issue in the United States by suggesting that we all need to “learn to live with GMO’s” by accepting the USDAs proposal for “peaceful” coexistence between organics and genetically modified foods?
Here is Whole Foods’ official statement on the matter:
The reality is that no grocery store in the United States, no matter what size or type of business, can claim they are GMO-free. While we have been and will continue to be staunch supporters of non-GMO foods, we are not going to mislead our customers with an inaccurate claim (and you should question anyone who does). Here’s why: the pervasive planting of GMO crops in the U.S. and their subsequent use in our national food supply. 93% of soy, 86% of corn, 93% of cotton, and 93% of canola seed planted in the U.S. in 2010 were genetically engineered. Since these crops are commonly present in a wide variety of foods, a GMO-free store is currently not possible in the U.S. (Unless the store sells only organic foods.)
Since the U. S. national organic standards do not allow the use of GMO ingredients and practices in the growing or production of organic foods, choosing organic is one way consumers can avoid GMO foods. The other is through labeling, of which we are strong supporters.Â
Hey Whole Foods, here’s a novel idea:  How about selling only organic and local foods then? That would solve the problem nicely wouldn’t it?
I don’t know about you, but that statement screams “sell-out” to me. Even more damaging, Whole Foods recently endorsed the peaceful coexistence option with regard to GE alfalfa rather than an outright ban. The unrestricted planting of GE alfalfa that starts as early as this spring threatens the entire grassfeeding dairy industry over the long term as alfalfa hay is an integral part of winter feeding.
Whole Foods is all about corporate profits and management can shade it and couch it any way they like, but the message is loud and clear: Â corporate profit and shareholder gains are more important than sticking to the basic sustainability ideals Whole Foods was founded upon.
Do you want your neighborhood healthfood stores and farmer’s markets to suffer revenue losses from business ruthlessly stripped away by a Whole Foods coming to town?
If not, you can choose to stay away like me and treat Whole Foods like just another supermarket or Walmart: Â a place of last resort where budget dollars are rarely if ever spent.
Note: as of July 2012, it appears that Whole Foods is still sourcing much of its “organic” produce from China which provides further verification of the video below.
In addition, as of June 2015, Whole Foods’ new veggie rating system can rank conventional produce grown in another country ahead of organic, local produce!
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Hi Sarah,
So many times I’ve wanted to comment and haven’t, but this time I decided to voice my opinion…Once before I asked you about sharing your sources of produce, meat, etc. to people who live in your area since you’re the WAPF Chapter Leader, and you said the reason you don’t is because it would be annoying to the farmers as they get enough business. (With the exception of the milk farmer, and the reason is to protect his/her privacy.) While I can appreciate that reasoning (and fully understand not exposing the milk farmer), it is also a little frustrating to me. I’ve done hours and hours of my own research and have used the WAPF Shopping guide as a resource. I found a local farm to purchase eggs and chicken, and different health food stores in the Tampa area to purchase other things. However, there are some things I can’t find at all except for Whole Foods. And finding real, local, grassfed butter is like finding a needle in a haystack–I’ve had no luck with that yet. So I am glad that Whole Foods is an option for me for certain items, notwithstanding its faults.
Michele
I don’t share sources on this blog for the privacy of our farmers. I do send out my Chapter resource list to those that request it but many farms are not listed at their request. That is their prerogative. I have no right to be sharing info for farmers that don’t want it shared.
I also do not share where I PERSONALLY buy my stuff. People ask me all the time where I buy this and that and if I shared it, that would be problem for my sources getting flooded with unwanted calls.
You choose not to shop at Whole Foods because of your beliefs, and that is certainly your right. But I agree with what another reader said–your tone sounds a bit harsh when you reply to others who have differing opinions. You already explained why you don’t share your sources, as I mentioned in my post, and I understand. But you’re right, you do have many more years of experience locating other sources than some of the rest of us, and it takes time for those of us who don’t have your same knowledge to find other alternatives and to figure things out on our own. Surely you can’t find fault in that. Is your Chapter resource list geared toward local sources, and/or any different than the WAPF Shopping Guide?
I agree that sometimes the tone is harsh. I came across this blog and found it interesting because it had some information I’d never heard of before, and I love learning more and more about real food and its benefits. But often instead of feeling enlightened and inspired and excited about the new knowledge, I almost feel ashamed and guilty! for example, with this particular topic. We aren’t all perfect, but yes this is a journey to make the world fair and happy and peaceful…where is the love?? isn’t that what really matters in the end? how we treat one another? what’s the point of being healthy if we can’t be nice people?
I agree with what you said about the tone.
Yes I also agree…… I sometimes feel stupid for not being able to get all this wonderful food and make my own butter. It is the feeling on here . Sometimes it’s not good. I know , I know I don’t have to be here ….but there is some useful info ‘at times’ …..
yes, but i do really like this blog. the more i read, the more i learn, really. we all just have to do our best and be kind to ourselves if we can’t always make our own butter, etc. 🙂 positive energy is the most important factor in health and happiness, i think.
You all should check out kelly the kitchen cops post about WF.
For those of us who have little to no options, I would gladly embrace a WF. I use to have one where I use to live and I miss it terribly. I now live in the middle of a chemical waste dump called the Midwest and I have corn/soy fields all around my property. Organic is hard to find. I did cartwheels when Walmart started to carry a limited supply of organic vegetables. I have to drive 50 miles to get to the nearest local health food store and really, it’s no different than WF, just smaller. The produce isn’t nearly as nice, just as expensive and I’d rather not buy it. They have just as much processed food as WF. This goes for the co-op, too. While I go there first when doing my shopping, I miss WF. AT least their produce is beautiful and fresh looking. They sell Applegate lunchmeats. Try to find a better brand. I haven’t. The selection of raw cheeses, etc. If one stays out of the middle aisles, like in any grocery store, you do ok.
I am a huge gardener and put up most of what we need. We raise our own meat and dairy, both goat and cow milk. FResh eggs everyday. I cook and prepare food, it’s my job. It doesn’t get any better than this. But most people don’t do this. Most people don’t even bother with a garden anymore. So the groceries have to accomodate the general public. Most people do NOT want to make their own stocks, ferment their food and they also want it on a silver platter. Most don’t even care about it being organic. I throw my hands up sometimes, but they come crawling when they are sick.
I would gladly endorse a WF, at least it’s a huge step up from what we have around here. The local groceries don’t even carry anything organic much less local. And if it was local, I wouldn’t want it, loaded with chemicals. But I know a WF would never show itself around here. The population wouldn’t support it. They want their junk food!
Also, I do participate in a local farmer’s market (about four people show up to set up!) and when I bring my fresh produce, I get “What’s that? What do you do with that?!” sigh. This year, I will bring recipe cards!
Ann, even though Whole Foods is expensive with some foods, I would give a lot of have one out here where I live, too. I live in Grand Junction, CO and I live for the times we make the 5 hour drive over to Denver where at least I can get grass fed meats, happy chickens, and lots of variety that I can’t get anywhere else locally. I know how to shop and I avoid all of their non-organic produce and foods from China. It’s all about choice and I vote with my dollars. All we have out here is a Vitamin Cottage that recently decided to call themselves Natural Grocers and they are as expensive as WF plus they are always out of things that I need. The local small healthfood stores around here are way too expensive for my budget. Many people here raise their own chickens and sell eggs, but even that’s not so good for me because most of them use feed that is GMO because it’s cheaper than organic/non-gmo at the store because there’s no competition. Our farmers’ markets in the area are focused on selling Chinese chatzka (sp) crap and local, sprayed produce. To get any local organic produce, I drive out of my city to Moab, UT, a 1.5 hour drive because out of their 6 vendors, they are all organic and locally grown . I’m just happy that I finally got to join a CSA for my vegetables, Little things…
Rachel, do you mean the farmers’ market in Moab? I’m an hour from there and am new to this so I’m looking for locally produced food. It’s not readily available where I am either. No raw milk for us, unfortunately.
I agree with you. I live in Southwestern Ohio and it’s impossible to find organic groceries unless you shop at a super Kroger or Whole Foods. I get raw milk, eggs, yogurt and pasture animals from local farms as well as summer produce but what do you do in the winter??? Either I get my organic produce from whole foods are my family doesn’t eat veggies and fruit in the winter. I’ve searched high and low for organically raised apples and berries and there are none out here- only at Whole Foods and Kroger. I couldn’t get coconut sugar, fair trade chocolate, Kerrygold butter, raw cheeses or many other items if it weren’t for Whole Foods. Obviously I can’t buy wild caught salmon in Cincinnati so I buy it at Whole Foods. I don’t buy any of their meat or packaged and processed food items but I rely on them for staples. My local health food store is about the size of my dining room, overpriced and never has anything I need. For those of us with few options Whole Foods fills a need. Are they a perfect choice…no, but at least they give me the choice of feeding my family the way I want.
Kim, where do you get raw milk in Ohio. I thought it was illegal, is there a way around it with a csa or something?
Angie, In Ohio you have to own part of the herd to be able to drink raw milk. You enter into a private contract with a farmer who has a herd. Since you then own part of the herd, you can drink your own milk. Just as if you bought a horse and couldn’t store it in your backyard, you pay the farmer a boarding fee for keeping your cow. The farmer returns milk to you for the boarding fee.
I get mine from a friend with cows and goats.
well said Ann.
We lived in a small town in New Mexico that only had a teeny-tiny, expensive health food store. And the local farmers and ranchers didn’t have good stuff, although a lady at an ice cream shop sold hormone and antibiotic free beef. 🙂
When we moved to California, I thought I was in heaven to finally be living so close to Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s AND a few awesome year-round open air markets. It can be tough when healthy food options are limited.
My home is in the midwest and we garden and I would so shop at WF if they established one close to our home.
We’re getting a Trader Joe’s in the area, though it is still quite a drive for me to get there. What do you think of Trader Joe’s? It might be fun to go once in a while, but I’m sticking with my local health food store, farmers’ markets, farms, and a local co-op.
I’m curious as to what you think about Trader Joe’s too. They are pretty popular in other states and it’s my understanding that they are building one in Sarasota and one in Naples. They’re smaller chains and I haven’t heard the same negative things about them as I have about Whole Foods. I love supporting smaller local businesses as well but I wouldn’t mind having a Trader Joe’s around the corner too!
Our Trader Joes has a sign up in the back about not having GMO, HFCS .. etc. But they also sell non organic corn products, and I’ve even seen ‘Raw’ milk cheese that in fine print says ultra-pasteurized … I shop there once in a while .. they have the best prices on Kerrygold butter, and some organic produce, etc.
I have to chime in here on Trader Joes. We have one nearby and its nothing more than junk food in “healthy” looking wrapper. I searched the shelves for some healthy products and it was far worse than Whole Foods. At least Whole Foods sells some local produce (at least in our area they do) and its labeled as such. The problem is that its only rarely organic. I shop at Whole Foods and Mom’s (My Organic Market) and the local Farmer’s Markets. (I’m in the Balto/Annap/D.C. area) Between the 3 stores, and lots of label reading, I can find most of what I’m looking for. (We belong to a co-op and a local CSA, thankfully.)
Oh, and btw, the Amish Market in our area is worse than Trader Joes! Being in an Amish market, doesn’t make the re-packaged Fruit Loops in a baggy with an Amish label healthy. Last time I was there they could not even identify which farm any of their butter or cheese was from! Yikes!
Suzanne
Maybe the Trader Joe’s sell different items based on location? I’m in San Diego and my local TJ sells lots of healthy food, much of it organic. Sprouted bread, grass fed beef, kerrygold butter, tons of organic produce…all at better prices than anywhere else I cand find. Like anywhere else, one needs to use his/her judgement on what to buy. When shopping for healthy food, I need to buy from a variety of sources–CSA, grass fed beef share, CostCo, Trader Joe’s, VitaCost.
A friend of mine in PA told me about a Mennonite “health food” market that sells local organic produce and quality grains in bulk along side 50 lb bags of that orange cheese powder you get in boxed mac and cheese!
I have never shopped or been to a Trader Joe’s so have no opinion here as I haven’t had the chance to examine what they’ve got to offer.
I’ve shopped at Trader Joe’s for awhile. They have some stuff that’s good…sprouted bread, Kerrygold butter and some other things. If you’re on a budget, their prices are lower.
But, although they have stated that they don’t sell food that contains GMOs, there are a few non-Trader Joe’s brand foods in there that DO have GMOs in them.
Whole Foods has emphatically claimed that they don’t have GMOs in their non-organic foods. In tests, their non-organic foods have GMOs in them. Kinda sad, you really just have to buy organic foods to stay away from the GMOs.
I am a Trader Joe’s foe. I live in California and some people think it is a gift from the almighty. honestly – everything is packaged (whole food no-no #1), produce is from around the globe (eat local no-no #2), and their stuff rots within a day or two (freshness sin #3). Sorry but they are below Whole Foods on my list. Would love to drive to the Co-Op weekly but it is over an hour away. Instead, farmer’s markets, my milk man (raw goat milk, kefir, cheese), and CSA will have to do – and yes, I have to fill in the gaps with WFM – oh well.
Kate,
Trader Joe’s is likely to disappoint you if you are used to farmer’s markets and local co-ops. At Trader Joe’s you will find virtually every produce item wrapped-individually or in sets; the organic section is no larger than that of a nearby conventional grocer; and most of the store is packaged foodstuff. It is more of a gourmet food store than a health food store. It got popular in NorCal some years ago for some innovative stuff it was doing, but now the only reason to go is for the Two Buck Chuck…cheap wine.
Whole foods is a rip off!!! Everything is marked way up, I don’t know why anyone would shop there if there was an alternative.
Shoppers have to be seekers .. not suckers. Today I was checking out a company that sells dried sour cherries from Michigan. I sent them an email asking if they were sweetened .. and if not that was good .. and if sweetened, what type of sweetener. The lady sent me two email me and the second one stated they contain beet sugar and a coating of sunflower oil. I sent her back a reply that how 100% of U.S beets are now GMO and a few informational links … and that I could not buy her cherries.
Sarah,
Thanks for sharing this info. Even though I like their presence in MN because there is not much produce which grows in MN because of cold weather. This article will help me seek more local choices. In summer and fall I hardly visit Whole Foods because I have made goods farmer friends at Farmer’s Market.
-Dharm
That video was hilarious 😀
Yes, “BUY LOCAL” (from China …..). Nice move Whole Foods. You’re just like all the others, aren’t you? No difference to me although I do like the wine and cheese tastings.
And the olive tasting too! 😉
There is a Whole Foods just a couple miles from me, but I end up going there about once a year. I shop the Co-op and two other health food stores in my area, which have better prices and a lot more local foods. I’d rather give my money to them.
I do buy some produce from Wal-mart, but only because it’s pretty much impossible to buy it local (avocados, bananas, oranges). IMO, non-organic is fine with these, so I’m not going to pay nearly twice as much to get the organic kind from Whole Foods.
Non-organic may be fine if you are only worried about what you are ingesting, but they are not fine if you care at all about the workers harvesting these crops or care at all about the poisons we are putting in the earth. Organic produce isn’t important only for the consumers, it is important for the whole food chain.
Bev many growers use organic practices, but cannot afford the legal red tape.
I completely agree with you! We have Jimbos close to us and it gets a ton of its produce from local organic farms and I love it! The owner comes in frequently. There is no GMO garbage and it is priced SO much more reasonably than Whole Foods. We went into a Whole Foods several months ago and my husband told me I should never shop there. The priced were exorbitant.
Jimbo’s is reasonable? Are you kidding? I find it to be just as expensive as WF. In fact, I think I walk out with a smaller price-tag at WF than Jimbo’s. And SPROUTS – SELL OUT, not to mention even the small stores are selling horrible additive laden packaged stuff these days.
I disagree with calling Whole Foods on par with Walmart. Walmart is a huge pile of cheap Chinese crap. Whole Foods is not cheap.
Whole Foods IS full of Chinese crap. It’s just not cheap! LOL
I dislike generalizations like this; they’re just not true. Whereas almost all of Walmart’s crap is Chinese because their only desire is to keep their prices low while WF has some Chinese crap, but it’s not all of their wide variety of products; they have lots of healthy options. I don’t even trust the organic produce that Walmart sells.
This made me LOL! Very true.
Whole foods does sell “certified organic” foods from China (which is not regulated as certifiable organic) in their 360 brand frozen food. Sad yes, but they have kind of moved away from their “buy local” model.
But Rachel, the point is that Whole foods puts on a vale of “trust”….that you can believe everything in their store is “organic” “whole” food and is safe but it’s NOT, no more than Walmart can be trusted. Again if you search through their store you will find loads and loads of canola and soy in everything…why???? BECAUSE IT’S CHEAP! It is NOT a healthy or “whole” food! Why is their hot bar and deli and bakery full of all NON organic foods? The difference is that people EXPECT that out of Walmart…but no say it ain’t so, Whole Foods wouldn’t do that to me!