Why Do So Many Foodies Hate Whole Foods?

Published on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, by Rebecca Flint Marx / Edit Post

What makes a great grocery store? The prices? The size of the bulk section? Staff members who won’t regard you with utter hatred when you ask for help locating low-fat coconut milk? How about free samples or a decent gluten-free section?

It’s a topic that’s being discussed on the Chowhound boards this week. The thread, “Best Supermarkets in USA: Your Nomination,” was launched November 6 by MarkG, who wrote “let’s leave out Whole Foods” and nominated his local Wegmans.

Wegmans, which is based in Rochester, New York, and has 79 stores in the Mid-Atlantic region, is getting a lot of love. (And not only on Chowhound: The chain’s first Massachusetts store drew a line of 2,000 on its opening day last month.) Texans are cheering on Central Market, which has eight locations throughout the state and sums up its central mission as “Celebrate Every Day.” And Meijer, a chain based in the Midwest, is also getting props, thanks to, among other things, the velvet ropes around its alcohol section.

Whole Foods does have at least one defender. “Why leave out WF?” asked lemons. “I mean, they’re gosh-awful expensive and can get far too smug about some of the dietary ideas…. But I know lots of folks that just love them.”

So, yes, why leave out Whole Foods? Have we officially reached a point where the company, whether through the words of its CEO, accusations by its pissed-off ex-employees, or even simply its price points, has managed to offend and/or alienate potential customers? Is the relative affordability of the chain’s bulk sections and generic goods negated by the politics surrounding them?

Which raises another question: Is what makes a great grocery store based solely on what shoppers find on the shelves, or what they see and read in the media?

Image source: Flickr member That Other Paper under Creative Commons

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  • I was an WFM employee from 1999-2011. As a manager, I saw my regional coordinator steadily increase profit margins to fuel company growth at the consumer's expense. For example, if I purchased an item for $4.00 we would retail it for $9.99. As of fall 2011, the bakery I managed pushed items at a 58% gross margin which is well over a 100% percent markup. Produce pushes an 82% GM. I feel bad about...+READ

    I was an WFM employee from 1999-2011. As a manager, I saw my regional coordinator steadily increase profit margins to fuel company growth at the consumer's expense. For example, if I purchased an item for $4.00 we would retail it for $9.99. As of fall 2011, the bakery I managed pushed items at a 58% gross margin which is well over a 100% percent markup. Produce pushes an 82% GM. I feel bad about misleading consumers and bilking them hard. Please know that the high prices are for the benefit of Whole Foods and not the environment, communities or consumers.-COLLAPSE

  • When it comes to price specials on certain items I will go where the item is cheapest. We eat healthy which is not easy to find "on sale", so if for instance: coconut water is on sale for half it's usual I'll stop at WF mos def. 365 organic butter there is worth a stop as it's on sale often. Alot of the 365 Brand Stuff finds a place in my kitchen and the prices aren't any worse than average for a...+READ

    When it comes to price specials on certain items I will go where the item is cheapest. We eat healthy which is not easy to find "on sale", so if for instance: coconut water is on sale for half it's usual I'll stop at WF mos def. 365 organic butter there is worth a stop as it's on sale often. Alot of the 365 Brand Stuff finds a place in my kitchen and the prices aren't any worse than average for a better product.

    By all means though, there is other stuff that is insanely priced. When it comes to local, organic, natural, vegan or non gluten stuff, to be fair, I don't think it is totally WF's fault. As we all know, at least they do stock alternative, organic, healthy choices. Go to a farmer's market in southern cal. The prices there for locally grown products are equally outrageous, so in the end WF ends up cheaper for that sort of stuff as well.

    All that being said, however, WF is NOT my favorite and has gotten less and less so as it's corporation has grown. I don't know the history of its meager beginnings at the moment but I'm curious to read up on sometime. All I do know is, as others have mentioned, WF has killed some relevant small time business gourmet and organic grocers even in here in southern Cal home of the avocado and sprouts sandwhich. I HATE corporate killers of ma and pa, all of them.

    Also the new WFs in Orange County, CA have been hiring substandard, unintelligible staff and it really put a damper on my opinion of that WF when I experienced it. Talk about not knowing Food.

    Just before Thanksgiving I called a newer store just built in Huntington Beach to see what sort of simple Maple extract or emulsions they might have. I was hoping for something amazing from Canada or Vermont. I essentially in the end called every store who all failed except for Surfas and then finally I settled for McCormick Maple at Pavilions.

    Back to the phone call to WF-HB I was appalled. AFter me asking the WF employee to see what sort of maple flavorings they might have in stock,he
    told me "to call Williams & Sonoma." I told him, "you want me to call the enemy? you're supposed to be a gourmet grocer." he tells me "NO , we are a health foods store" I told him, "then why do the competitors on Top Chef go shopping at WF every episode"...he says "Oh, well I don't really know" and I say back "If you don't know the reputation of where you work, WHY do you work there then" and he chuckled awkwardly. DUH Then because I am willing to drive anywhere if I can find a treasure or good deal, I called the WF in Irvine, about 7 miles away. He didn't even suggest I do that! I did it on my own. And btw, Williams Sonoma didn't have it either....There should be an article on how normal items in Southern California are considered "Foodie" like sauerkraut and maple. how droll we are

    WF is basically the Walmart of Natural and Gourmet Grocers. It's a well known fact if one stays on a healthy or specialized diet they must pay the price economically. In that realm, WF does make life a bit cheaper and I do frequent them for certain items regularly.

    The problem is when they open an extra 100 stores pretending to be a worthwhile place to shop thereupon killing the true specialty market's business

    Also, there's some areas that just don't need any sort of corporate market. WF on 24th Street in SF is an example. SF is expensive but the ma and pa business need not to be challenged. The WF there is one I would probably boycott !!-COLLAPSE

  • I'm fine shopping at Whole Foods for meat and some other fresh supplies for meals I cook myself, but I find that their prepared foods (breads, desserts, buffet, etc) are meh, especially for the "gourmet" prices. They LOOK really good, but I'm almost always disappointed.

  • How can you even put Whole Foods in the same category as a regular supermarket? If I were Whole Foods I'd be insulted!

  • I don't like WF because it's so expensive, but we do shop there for meats as they have the largest selection (where we live) for least processed meat. Anyway, about a year ago I was in WF buying some takeout from the takeout bar for my son. He's very picky so I lifted a spoon of something to my nose to sniff it. I did NOT touch the spoon or its contents. All of a sudden a WF employee was in my...+READ

    I don't like WF because it's so expensive, but we do shop there for meats as they have the largest selection (where we live) for least processed meat. Anyway, about a year ago I was in WF buying some takeout from the takeout bar for my son. He's very picky so I lifted a spoon of something to my nose to sniff it. I did NOT touch the spoon or its contents. All of a sudden a WF employee was in my face screaming at me that I was "disgusting" because he had seen me "lick the spoon." I said, "I did not touch the spoon, what are you talking about." He grabbed the spoon out of my hand and ran away with it into the work area behind the deli counter. I was stunned. I went to the Customer Service desk to discuss the incident. Turned out the crazy WF employee WAS THE MANAGER. The guy at the service desk, who had been very nice, became very frosty when he discovered (after making a few phone calls) that it was the manager who had freaked out at me. I said I would not be back and I did not in fact go back for the better part of a year. I don't shop there as often as I used to and limit my purchases to things that cannot be bought anywhere else. Fortunately we now have a Trader joe and, even bettter, a member-owned natural food co-operative. F*** You, WF.-COLLAPSE

  • I am appalled by the smug, self-satisfied posts praising to the skies such a repulsive corporate entity. The snotty little attempts to put down those of us who realize what a Moloch Whole PAYCHECK has now become (let's see, 'overtly political'--does that mean anti-the ONE PERCENT?????' One expects better than recycled Limbaugh trash on a site like this... Do some research on how Whole Paycheck...+READ

    I am appalled by the smug, self-satisfied posts praising to the skies such a repulsive corporate entity. The snotty little attempts to put down those of us who realize what a Moloch Whole PAYCHECK has now become (let's see, 'overtly political'--does that mean anti-the ONE PERCENT?????' One expects better than recycled Limbaugh trash on a site like this... Do some research on how Whole Paycheck started and what it has now become; check out all the virtuous and vastly superior smaller natural foods businesses, often local, it has suppressed and taken over. That's just for starters--we won't even start on the insufferable yuppie scum 'see and be seen' aspects, nor the pretensions of at least half the staff in all the Whole Paychecks of my experience. Central Market, which is NOT more expensive by any stretch (approximately the same), is vastly superior, as are Trader Joe's , Publix, Wegman's--in fact, anything else.-COLLAPSE

  • I like Whole Foods. I think my food expenses would be the same anywhere I shop due to the fact that I shop their ads. Also, I find that many of the items that I purchase are the same price at other stores. For example, Kale, Chard, and Collards are the same price at HEB as they are at Whole Foods. Whole Food's baked bread is about the same price too and its a better product at WF IMO.

    I cannot...+READ

    I like Whole Foods. I think my food expenses would be the same anywhere I shop due to the fact that I shop their ads. Also, I find that many of the items that I purchase are the same price at other stores. For example, Kale, Chard, and Collards are the same price at HEB as they are at Whole Foods. Whole Food's baked bread is about the same price too and its a better product at WF IMO.

    I cannot speak to how all of their employees are treated by the company, but I really enjoy talking to the employees at my local store (Montrose or Kirby) and they seem to enjoy their jobs. I spoke to one young man recently who was very excited that management referred him to some special training program that will enhance his career.-COLLAPSE

  • Here is why one might either want to pay $8 for 2 tomatoes, or just not eat any you haven't grown yourself: http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/09/08/how-the-modern-day-tomato-came-to-be/?iref=allsearch
    I find that I can get many "healthy" items I would have bought at WF at Stop & Shop -- coconut milk, juices, sprouted bread and so on. If I were going to make a meal I considered foodie, I would not...+READ

    Here is why one might either want to pay $8 for 2 tomatoes, or just not eat any you haven't grown yourself: http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2011/09/08/how-the-modern-day-tomato-came-to-be/?iref=allsearch
    I find that I can get many "healthy" items I would have bought at WF at Stop & Shop -- coconut milk, juices, sprouted bread and so on. If I were going to make a meal I considered foodie, I would not run out to WF for ingredients but would go to shops that specialized in what I was making, e.g. meat market, asian super market, spanish store, my garden, etc. I get it that WF has fresh produce, reasonably priced bulk food, etc. but I rarely shop there. You can get organic food almost anywhere these days. And high-end, so called healthy selection does not = foodie food.-COLLAPSE

  • It's been 16 years since I lived in upstate New York and I still miss Wegman's. I also miss Kroger and Publix which were my standbys in South Carolina in addition to the small natural food markets and farmers markets.

    I now live in the home of WalMart and although I love the area I hate being a guinea pig. Even the employees don't know where they put the low fat coconut milk this week! Perhaps...+READ

    It's been 16 years since I lived in upstate New York and I still miss Wegman's. I also miss Kroger and Publix which were my standbys in South Carolina in addition to the small natural food markets and farmers markets.

    I now live in the home of WalMart and although I love the area I hate being a guinea pig. Even the employees don't know where they put the low fat coconut milk this week! Perhaps if I were more advernturous I'd love playing hide and go seek with my grocery list every week. But please, people I just want to get the same item I got last week and find it in the same place without stumbling over pallets blocking the aisle in the middle of the day. Okay I feel better. But, next time you complain about Whole Foods try the home of WalMart and I assure you you will stop whining about WF.-COLLAPSE

  • I live in Austin and support Whole Foods. Their employees volunteer at the Food Bank with my company, and they are a diverse, lively, dedicated bunch. They are really great and represent the wonderful community of Austin very well.

    The people here that don't go to Whole Foods are 1. Hipsters that get thrills from begging for food so they don't have to work. 2. The overly political crowd that...+READ

    I live in Austin and support Whole Foods. Their employees volunteer at the Food Bank with my company, and they are a diverse, lively, dedicated bunch. They are really great and represent the wonderful community of Austin very well.

    The people here that don't go to Whole Foods are 1. Hipsters that get thrills from begging for food so they don't have to work. 2. The overly political crowd that opposes some of WF CEO's statements in the past, but honestly, they oppose ALOT of things. 3. All 'anti-corporate' people, even though the company started here, it's not considered 'local' enough to them. 4. Suburban people with a large # of mouths to feed. WF has a business model that was revolutionary at the time and still works on a large scale now. When I talk to their employees, they seem generally satisfied with the company and the job. There are always disgruntled ones, but I'd say for the most part, they are pleasant.

    Our WF is a place to see and be seen... a status symbol grocery store. That kinda turns me off from it sometimes. But I bring my family here when they come in from out of town. I did go to one in New Haven (or somewhere down the road) CT, and I was really surprised at the limited selection and tinyness of the store. I can see how people would think it is over-priced with that tiny selection.

    I have had a good experience everytime I go in our WF. The selection is enormous, knowledgable and friendly employees, and they give back to the community ALOT. They will let you taste anything in the deli/bakery/cheese/wine/take home section... which is cool. That being said, I always have to go to another grocery store (typically Central Market) to buy 'regular things' like mustard, Community Coffee, Country Time lemonade, etc.-COLLAPSE

  • Whole Foods is great. I do almost all of my shopping there. Some items are expensive, some are not. It's a great way to avoid being at the end of a commodity food spigot.

    As for why so many "foodies" hate it, I don't know who these so-called foodies are, but most of the people I know who enjoy good food shop at Whole Foods.

    Any successful business will have its detractors. Whole Foods is no...+READ

    Whole Foods is great. I do almost all of my shopping there. Some items are expensive, some are not. It's a great way to avoid being at the end of a commodity food spigot.

    As for why so many "foodies" hate it, I don't know who these so-called foodies are, but most of the people I know who enjoy good food shop at Whole Foods.

    Any successful business will have its detractors. Whole Foods is no different.

    You can tell by the tone of the haters commenting here that they seem to be very insecure. Most of the comments are complaints about who else shops there.-COLLAPSE

  • Ok, I worked for this company, they have their ups and down... such as not really treating their pee on employees all that well, but a choice ov health plans and a large store discount should keep the pee ons quiet... they ARE over priced, I have found wholesalers on the internet that I buy a lot ov dry goods from now, hygiene and supplements as well. I think that they are only ok for certain...+READ

    Ok, I worked for this company, they have their ups and down... such as not really treating their pee on employees all that well, but a choice ov health plans and a large store discount should keep the pee ons quiet... they ARE over priced, I have found wholesalers on the internet that I buy a lot ov dry goods from now, hygiene and supplements as well. I think that they are only ok for certain specialty items that are beyond difficult to track down... if I want meat I can go to the asian market or the local carniceria and get something that was just butchered today for less than a third ov what I would spend at WF.... WF was great once, when I did not know how to find what I was looking for...-COLLAPSE

  • Whole Foods is in my area is dominated by surly vegans who look like some of the cast from The Walking Dead.

  • To answer the question about why foodies tend to criticize Whole Foods, I think the answer lies in simple snobbery. Foodies like to think that they have exclusive access to secret ingredients, or that access to ingredients requires some massive investment of time and inside information.

    I have friends who will make pilgrimages to Chinatown for some strange sauce or vegetable, or they have to...+READ

    To answer the question about why foodies tend to criticize Whole Foods, I think the answer lies in simple snobbery. Foodies like to think that they have exclusive access to secret ingredients, or that access to ingredients requires some massive investment of time and inside information.

    I have friends who will make pilgrimages to Chinatown for some strange sauce or vegetable, or they have to go to some mail-order cheese shop for the perfect manchego. They go to farmer's markets and butchers and orchards and fishermen's co-ops. They don't like that you can get some good "secret" stuff at Whole Foods. If it's not exclusive or difficult, it's no fun. Pearls before swine?-COLLAPSE

  • I Live in Charlotte NC, the largest city in BOTH Carolinas however the only metro area in BOTH Carolinas to not have a WF. Every small city around us has a WF. They just started building ours and it's due to open late spring 2012. Apparently they tried to buy land a few years ago and had issues and couldn't make it happen until recently. It's all just weird. I think it's a disdain for this...+READ

    I Live in Charlotte NC, the largest city in BOTH Carolinas however the only metro area in BOTH Carolinas to not have a WF. Every small city around us has a WF. They just started building ours and it's due to open late spring 2012. Apparently they tried to buy land a few years ago and had issues and couldn't make it happen until recently. It's all just weird. I think it's a disdain for this banking town that has their collective organic hemp panties in a bunch. But I will say that we were in Orlando recently and I went to WF 4 times over the course of a week for groceries and prepared food because it is damned difficult to find good fresh food in the Orlando area.-COLLAPSE

  • I stopped going there when the cashier told me i didnt need a bag. Didnt ask, but TOLD me. Tried to buy cases of soda and they have none cause the boxes get recycled the moment they hit the floor. then the cashier gives me attitude for wanting many bottles of soda bagged.

  • I love our Whole Foods. While some of their products can be found elsewhere more cheaply there are others that are more than competitive. There are also a boat load of things I just can't find anywhere else. I've been shopping Whole Foods since I was twenty something and am nearing 50 these days. The staff at our store has always been helpful, courteous and polite. I would not trade them for the...+READ

    I love our Whole Foods. While some of their products can be found elsewhere more cheaply there are others that are more than competitive. There are also a boat load of things I just can't find anywhere else. I've been shopping Whole Foods since I was twenty something and am nearing 50 these days. The staff at our store has always been helpful, courteous and polite. I would not trade them for the world.... and yes... Central Market is pretty cool... We call them Central Markup... not so much different than Whole Foods in price point. They, like Whole Foods, are targeting a very specific group of shoppers... I drive over 45min in heavy traffic at least once a week to get to my Whole Foods. I would not want to be without them. THANKS YOU GUYS! You do an amazing job!-COLLAPSE

  • My first experience with Whole Foods was in Dallas and I thought I was in heaven. The selection of everything was so beautifully arranged. The prices were shocking! When we got a Whole Foods in Colorado Springs it was a down sized version so I was a little disappointed. I have not had any issues with the staff so far. I love the fresh sections and have little to do with the dry and can goods. My...+READ

    My first experience with Whole Foods was in Dallas and I thought I was in heaven. The selection of everything was so beautifully arranged. The prices were shocking! When we got a Whole Foods in Colorado Springs it was a down sized version so I was a little disappointed. I have not had any issues with the staff so far. I love the fresh sections and have little to do with the dry and can goods. My son likes the pasta selection. The other Dallas grocery store that is on my list of great is City Market. The flower selection was stunning. The only problem with the Dallas stores were the crowds at all the counters. I was on overload by the time I got out of there.-COLLAPSE

  • We buy our pork bellies from them to make bacon and it's the best we can get for the price, better than Niman Ranch where we buy most everything else. High-as-a-cat's-back prices aside they have knowledgeable people in most departments and ingredients hard to find elsewhere. Here in Austin the flagship store has pretty bland pizza and tacos, a pretty fair buffet, and some nice burgers. All pretty...+READ

    We buy our pork bellies from them to make bacon and it's the best we can get for the price, better than Niman Ranch where we buy most everything else. High-as-a-cat's-back prices aside they have knowledgeable people in most departments and ingredients hard to find elsewhere. Here in Austin the flagship store has pretty bland pizza and tacos, a pretty fair buffet, and some nice burgers. All pretty pricey. Better to seek out the little ethnic stores and good bakers, butchers, etc.-COLLAPSE

  • Wholefoods Market is sometimes referred to as "Wholepaychecks." But I understand the disgruntled. This chain of markets are many, and is subsidised by it's stockholders. So, why aren't their prices lower, or even competitive overall? That is just too stingy of them.
    I went in there one day, came out with bad shopping experience, feeling disgruntled as well, on prepackaged naan of their 365...+READ

    Wholefoods Market is sometimes referred to as "Wholepaychecks." But I understand the disgruntled. This chain of markets are many, and is subsidised by it's stockholders. So, why aren't their prices lower, or even competitive overall? That is just too stingy of them.
    I went in there one day, came out with bad shopping experience, feeling disgruntled as well, on prepackaged naan of their 365 brand(r) being higher than any of the other chain stores, including higher than WalMart, amongst many of their other products.
    One day I looked at the price difference on their bulk product and a boxed of the same. Well, their bulk grain cereal was only a penny less per unit price, and it contained soy which was what I was avoiding: this was in comparing Bob's Red Mill 7 grain cereal to Wholefoods bulked 7 Grain cereal; I didn't know the brand of their bulk cereal, however.
    Most people I see shopping there are the "upper middle class" and "above." Those of middle to lower income will mainly buy a specialty item or several items, not a regular grocery shopping trip.
    I understand all the "reasons" that they're high in some items due to local growers on small scale having to have high markups due to their financial situation. However, varying levels of organic growers are mass cropping, and co-oping these days. Wholefoods 365 brands ought to be more reasonably priced and should be affordable even for the low-middle income customers as well, and a sale now and again so that even the low income customers can have such experience of quality foods without the FDA approved potentially harmful chemical additives.-COLLAPSE

  • The nearest Whole Foods is seventeen miles from my home. Sprouts is two miles, the ranch market three miles, AJ's Fine Foods five miles.

  • I shop at the farmer's market, Whole Foods, and TJs exclusively. If you are buying Brazilian rainforest nuts handpicked by Elves, yes they will be expensive. But for the food I buy WF and TJs actually have similar prices with WF having better quality. And they also make a real and genuine effort to work with local, excellent producers. They just started to carry amazing blueberries from a local...+READ

    I shop at the farmer's market, Whole Foods, and TJs exclusively. If you are buying Brazilian rainforest nuts handpicked by Elves, yes they will be expensive. But for the food I buy WF and TJs actually have similar prices with WF having better quality. And they also make a real and genuine effort to work with local, excellent producers. They just started to carry amazing blueberries from a local vendor at $1/less than at the farmer's market. Organic staples like milk and eggs and flour are 1/3 less at the local chain stores.-COLLAPSE

  • After 10 years living in the Midwest I have moved back to Quebec. I am a foodie and I am very lucky to be where I am. Our local produce meat and dairy is just better whether it be Vermont or Quebec. Real celery, real apples, real milk, real lamb. I found the food at WF tasteless whether it be organic eco-friendly or whatever our locally grown food is great. The local Vermont Price Chopper carries...+READ

    After 10 years living in the Midwest I have moved back to Quebec. I am a foodie and I am very lucky to be where I am. Our local produce meat and dairy is just better whether it be Vermont or Quebec. Real celery, real apples, real milk, real lamb. I found the food at WF tasteless whether it be organic eco-friendly or whatever our locally grown food is great. The local Vermont Price Chopper carries a number of excellent items and I prefer it to WF. Our local IGA is excellent with its local foods. I remember with fondness TJ which carried are number of Canadian products which were superb but couldn't develop a market in Chicago. TJ is great but I wouldn't call it a supermarket. WF is a celebration of people having too much money and pretending that money could buy them real food. Pretty displays of attractive food a photographer's dream and this foodie's worst nightmare.-COLLAPSE

  • I used to like my Andronico's. They went bankrupt.

    Whole Foods: I don't really like them. They fit my shopping needs on paper - perhaps more now that Andronico's is gone - but I have a strong aversion to the chain experience. I would rather get prepared food take-out at a restaurant. I would rather get my perishables closer to home (two mom and pop mexican markets less than a mile). I would...+READ

    I used to like my Andronico's. They went bankrupt.

    Whole Foods: I don't really like them. They fit my shopping needs on paper - perhaps more now that Andronico's is gone - but I have a strong aversion to the chain experience. I would rather get prepared food take-out at a restaurant. I would rather get my perishables closer to home (two mom and pop mexican markets less than a mile). I would rather get my bulk cans at costco. I don't like buying into a concept, I just want my food.-COLLAPSE

  • In New york and Paramus NJ, people are comparing them to nearby Fairway and perhaps to the more limited Trader Joe. Fairway trumps them for quality variety and price, and TJ has a quarkiness and some real bargains that they do not come close.

  • Whole Foods has over 30k team members in 3 different countries. Do you really think 2 whiney rants means the company treats all their employees poorly?

  • Have any of the commenters read the articles linked to in the post above?

    Here they are again:

    http://gawker.com/5824287/read-a-disgruntled-whole-foods-employees-epic-resignation-letter

    http://gawker.com/5825451/the-whole-foods-experience-part-two-the-writer-speaks

    After reading about the abuse the employees who manage to stay employed there by having perfect health and never having a...+READ

    Have any of the commenters read the articles linked to in the post above?

    Here they are again:

    http://gawker.com/5824287/read-a-disgruntled-whole-foods-employees-epic-resignation-letter

    http://gawker.com/5825451/the-whole-foods-experience-part-two-the-writer-speaks

    After reading about the abuse the employees who manage to stay employed there by having perfect health and never having a family emergency or an accident, I could never bring myself to walk through those doors again.

    Remember, their large, flashy stores w/ their disregarded-in-practice environmental messages, are the cause of the bankruptcy of most of the better-run, more responsive, local natural foods stores. Fortunately in my area I have three less expensive sources of good organic produce. There is the flagship store of a small, local chain--"Mrs. Greens Natural Foods", an east coast subscription organics delivery service "door2door east", and 4 mos./yr. of the local farmer's market. If I wanted to drive an hour roundtrip every week, I could also join a CSA. I truly can't understand why so many Chowhounders prefer to support a mega-corporate model, when given a choice.

    I encourge all to do an online search for their nearest CSA, farmers' market, and seasonal truck stands. And door2door and door2door east serve a large part of the country where the other options are not easily available.-COLLAPSE

  • Not a single +1 for New Seasons? I realize they're Oregon based, but they're amazing, and definitely a better alternative to WF. Tons of locally sourced, fresh, and sustainable produce, meat, dairy, floral, etc, and they treat their employees like gold, including great pay + work flexibility + bennies (roomie works there).

  • It is interesting that only one comment has mentioned that among the places mentioned, WF likely pays its' folks the best (and provides bennies, to boot). They could likely lower cost (and price) by going to the compensation model favored by the others, but apparently it's more important that wf employees earn a living wage.

  • I love/hate my WF. you have to be careful on your purchases. a standard non organic lemon can cost $.50 and you can get the same for much less at a local Asian market. however, do i have time to drive around to a bunch of stores to get a deal on a few dollars difference? i don't. besides, living in SoCal gas prices adds up so there's my difference in dollars with the drive. also watch for...+READ

    I love/hate my WF. you have to be careful on your purchases. a standard non organic lemon can cost $.50 and you can get the same for much less at a local Asian market. however, do i have time to drive around to a bunch of stores to get a deal on a few dollars difference? i don't. besides, living in SoCal gas prices adds up so there's my difference in dollars with the drive. also watch for expiration dates. they love selling old crap to you so make sure you get the stuff from the back.

    when i first met my husband he hated WF and said everything was cheaper at a regular big box supermarket. So when we walked to Ralph's and he saw the regular factory farmed eggs were $5.99 he changed his mind. we now shop at mostly farmers markets then whatever else is from TJ or WF.

    i think the 'i hate WF' sentiment comes from many places but for me i hate WF sometimes b/c food there can be pricey and old. i recent found out i bought vitamins that expired in 2009! yes, it's 2011 folks! get that stuff off the shelf! but those who complain that the CEO of WF makes too much etc. you can shop at Safeway where the CEO made something like 10.9 million in salary and his house over 5 mil. Most CEO's in the US make an excess amount of money and that may include the company who delivered the chinese garlic from china to the cheap asian market.-COLLAPSE

  • also, as an aside, i used to have an unexplainable aversion to whole foods, "whole paycheck", but since moving out of the bay area to San Diego I find myself needing to look there for hard-to-find items. Not only do I find them most of the time, the employees I come into contact with are SO wonderful. Helpful, happy, knowledgeable and very interested in food. I thought only Trader Joe's had happy...+READ

    also, as an aside, i used to have an unexplainable aversion to whole foods, "whole paycheck", but since moving out of the bay area to San Diego I find myself needing to look there for hard-to-find items. Not only do I find them most of the time, the employees I come into contact with are SO wonderful. Helpful, happy, knowledgeable and very interested in food. I thought only Trader Joe's had happy employees!-COLLAPSE

  • @ribeye621 i guess it depends on your standards. the whole foods in my town stocks local farmer's produce, farmers that we can see and talk to at the farmer's market (yes, i would rather go to the market than whole foods, but at least it's available more hours of the day). even at the market, incredible heirloom tomatoes can cost upwards of 3.50/lb and can be huge! So, 2 tomatoes at a pound each,...+READ

    @ribeye621 i guess it depends on your standards. the whole foods in my town stocks local farmer's produce, farmers that we can see and talk to at the farmer's market (yes, i would rather go to the market than whole foods, but at least it's available more hours of the day). even at the market, incredible heirloom tomatoes can cost upwards of 3.50/lb and can be huge! So, 2 tomatoes at a pound each, locally grown by a person who cares...well $8.50 is pretty average. sure, i can get mealy, white, flavorless tomatoes at Safeway for .99/lb, but i'd literally be throwing my money away.-COLLAPSE

  • I think the point is...there are options now for people who care about the quality of the food they put in their bodies and feed to their families. That, in my opinion, is a good thing for everyone. I like Whole Foods and I appreciate their standards. Being from Austin where both Whole Foods and Central Market started, I like Whole Foods better. CM has the old 'forced flow' format and has a...+READ

    I think the point is...there are options now for people who care about the quality of the food they put in their bodies and feed to their families. That, in my opinion, is a good thing for everyone. I like Whole Foods and I appreciate their standards. Being from Austin where both Whole Foods and Central Market started, I like Whole Foods better. CM has the old 'forced flow' format and has a warehouse look to it. No doubt they carry some of the same items as Whole Foods but when it comes to the quality of meat and fish...I like Whole Foods better. In addition...prices are comparable, period. Central Market is NOT cheaper for same items. I don't buy the Whole Foods is too expensive arguement anymore.

    I can't comment on TJ's or Wegmann's because I've never shopped there.-COLLAPSE

  • Seems like many comments are from tree hugger types. I purchase items by quality and price. Shop Rite for staples like milk, eggs and paper products. Kings for good quality meats, fish and other seafood and produce at low prices. Local German pork stores for smoked meats, wusts and cold cuts. Asian store for all things Asian and good low cost produce. Do not us fast or frozen food so I do not buy...+READ

    Seems like many comments are from tree hugger types. I purchase items by quality and price. Shop Rite for staples like milk, eggs and paper products. Kings for good quality meats, fish and other seafood and produce at low prices. Local German pork stores for smoked meats, wusts and cold cuts. Asian store for all things Asian and good low cost produce. Do not us fast or frozen food so I do not buy from Trader Joes except they have good Korean Bulogoi beef (I buy in quantity and freeze since nothing else appeals to me). Cheese from the Wine Library. Whole foods has good mint water, bread and cheese if you don't have a Wine Library type store otherwise expensive and no lobsters! Shop around and buy on price performance basis.-COLLAPSE

  • We have gotten several Wegman's around here in the past several years, and I want to like them a lot more, but overall I've just been sort of underwhelmed. They do tend to carry some items that can be hard to find, their store brand seems pretty good, and the employees tend to be really great.

    However! Every location I've ever been to is ALWAYS super-crowded unless it's very late at night. Not...+READ

    We have gotten several Wegman's around here in the past several years, and I want to like them a lot more, but overall I've just been sort of underwhelmed. They do tend to carry some items that can be hard to find, their store brand seems pretty good, and the employees tend to be really great.

    However! Every location I've ever been to is ALWAYS super-crowded unless it's very late at night. Not the store's fault for being popular, but it makes for a less pleasant shopping experience when every day feels like the day before a major holiday or blizzard.

    Also, it's pretty damn expensive for a store that sells mostly conventional grocery items. They have a decent-sized 'natural foods' section, but all told you'd spend less on those items then at Whole Foods. The really typical stuff (basic canned goods and other such grocery items) are at best on par with any other major supermarket around here, and in many instances more expensive. They have a good cheese selection, but the prices are as high as or higher than anywhere else around here.

    I could see going there for a quick lunch since their prepared foods and to-go items are so varied, and it's nice that they have beer for purchase (in PA, that's definitely a plus). But really, on balances my shopping experiences there have ranged from just ok to kind of dismal. At this point I only go if there's a particular item I need that I know they don't carry at one of my normal stores, which is pretty rare. I continue to frequent Giant for some things, TJ's for some others, and WF for others, and those are the ones I keep going back to.-COLLAPSE

  • I liked whole foods until I moved to an area that has Central Market. Now I have no reason to ever set foot in whole foods again other than to pick up my CSA boxes.

  • I appreciate Whole Foods, it's the only supermarket in my area where I can hit several of my purchasing needs: organic, non-GMO, sustainable-raised meats, and household goods made by responsible manufacturers. I find the customer service to be superior compared to other supermarkets. And while the prepared foods are pricey, the food is good. I suspect rather than trashing tons of near-dated...+READ

    I appreciate Whole Foods, it's the only supermarket in my area where I can hit several of my purchasing needs: organic, non-GMO, sustainable-raised meats, and household goods made by responsible manufacturers. I find the customer service to be superior compared to other supermarkets. And while the prepared foods are pricey, the food is good. I suspect rather than trashing tons of near-dated product (or selling it), it becomes the supply for the prepared foods.

    For pure convenience, I probably do 70% of my shopping there. I have learned to shop smartly there so my food budget has not been busted. My fall-back stores include Publix, International Farmers Market, and TJs (the least). Since I have a small refrigerator/freezer and cabinetry space, I can buy smaller quantities at WF compared to my Farmers Market (this FM is like the Wal-Mart of FMs).

    At the end of the day, if you are trying to by 30 Swanson TV dinners for $5, then WF is not for you. If you want to try to take a stance to be more involved in what you eat and understanding its origin, WF can fulfill that in addition to buying locally (FM, CSAs, and local grocers). WF may not be perfect but it's better than the rest (at a national level).-COLLAPSE

  • Whole Foods prices are cheap compared to Central Market. I do 90% of our shopping at Whole Foods b/c we eat natural, organic foods. Central Market has some amazing items but not many of them have not so great ingredients!

  • I paid $8.50 for two tomatoes in 2007 and haven't stepped foot in there since. I don't mind paying extra for quality but the bottom line is that if your CEO is worth $1.8 billion dollars, there is NO excuse to charge $8.50 for two tomatoes. That is pure greed.

  • We have 2 WFs and 2 TJs here, both are about a 30-min drive each way. I've been to both TJs and can't for the life of me see why people like them: small (1/3 the size of either WFs), depressing-looking, about 90% house-brand items (they don't carry any of the specific items we like), and unappealing produce and cheese sections (we don't eat meat). On the other hand, both WFs are large, bright,...+READ

    We have 2 WFs and 2 TJs here, both are about a 30-min drive each way. I've been to both TJs and can't for the life of me see why people like them: small (1/3 the size of either WFs), depressing-looking, about 90% house-brand items (they don't carry any of the specific items we like), and unappealing produce and cheese sections (we don't eat meat). On the other hand, both WFs are large, bright, clean, well stocked with what we buy, gives case discounts and will special-order items as well. Packaged food is often the same price as the identical item in our mainstream supermarkets (Stop & Shop and King Kullen). Produce of course has a larger organic selection than the supermarkets and definitely is in better shape; cheese dept is excellent. My only knock against WF is that there isn't one closer to where we live, which means a special trip entailing a minimum 1.5 hour time budget (to/from + shopping) versus our closest Stop & Shop which is all of 3 miles away and smackdab next to the post office which we go to 6 days a week anyhow.

    Call me shallow but I pretty much don't give a flying fig what a CEO's views are, as long as the store has the products I want at a price I am comfortable paying, in a clean and comfortable/appealing environment. (fyi, not one of the Walmart stores in our area meet any of those criteria and I have no clue why people think that store is so great either)-COLLAPSE

  • Lack of funds and jealousy.

  • In my town there are so many wonderful options including Trader Joe's, some terrific local stores, lots of ethnic markets, a solid farmers market, a real butcher shop, and two WF stores. One is awful; employees with sour expressions-- and the other is staffed by helpful and friendly folk. It is a good place to shop for seafood. On the other hand, who buys toilet tissue at WF? The customers I see...+READ

    In my town there are so many wonderful options including Trader Joe's, some terrific local stores, lots of ethnic markets, a solid farmers market, a real butcher shop, and two WF stores. One is awful; employees with sour expressions-- and the other is staffed by helpful and friendly folk. It is a good place to shop for seafood. On the other hand, who buys toilet tissue at WF? The customers I see at WF appear to be the sort with dream kitchens that don't get used. They are buying prepared foods for the most part. Poor them.-COLLAPSE

  • Wegmans' organic foods and Healthy Market section varies widely between stores. At their store in Ithaca, NY, they have some organic meats, plenty of organic produce (including locally-sourced in the summer and fall), and a Healthy Market section that's four aisles and includes dairy and freezer cases. I've never lived in an area with a Whole Foods, so I haven't been able to comparison shop...+READ

    Wegmans' organic foods and Healthy Market section varies widely between stores. At their store in Ithaca, NY, they have some organic meats, plenty of organic produce (including locally-sourced in the summer and fall), and a Healthy Market section that's four aisles and includes dairy and freezer cases. I've never lived in an area with a Whole Foods, so I haven't been able to comparison shop closely, but I've always found Wegmans' prices on organic and natural products to be fairly reasonable. The store gets a bad rap sometimes for being expensive, but I think it's because they do offer so many higher-priced gourmet and specialty items.-COLLAPSE

  • I have no quarrel with WF. I shop there regularly. I don't do my routine shopping there, but I visit and shop for bargains - about the same way I shop at every other grocery chain. WF has a good supply of some unusual items that I can't always find at the typical local supermarket; and I like that.

  • Have we forgotten that Chowhounds are not "foodies?" "Foodies" is in the title of front page articles now? Good god.

  • I'm a loyal WF customer. A lot of people don't want to pay extra for the quality, or don't know how to bargain shop at WF. It used to be that Americans paid less of the household budget for health care and more for food. As a nation, we're spending less income on food and more on health care. I'd rather spend for quality food and stay out of the Dr's office. Here are a few reasons I love WF:
    1....+READ

    I'm a loyal WF customer. A lot of people don't want to pay extra for the quality, or don't know how to bargain shop at WF. It used to be that Americans paid less of the household budget for health care and more for food. As a nation, we're spending less income on food and more on health care. I'd rather spend for quality food and stay out of the Dr's office. Here are a few reasons I love WF:
    1. generous return policy, no receipt needed except for Whole Body. Once, I went in two weeks after Christmas and complained that my turkey came out dry. No receipt, they handed me a gift card for the full amount I remembered paying.
    2. Friday specials. Don't know if this is chain wide, but at my local store, they deeply discount one item, and don't limit quantities. Specials are usually good enough to make it worth changing my shopping day.
    3. Bulk isle and coupons.
    4. Extremely helpful staff.
    5. kid friendly-I'm not worried about constant cartoon referenced processed food, plastic toys, the candy rack at check-out.

    If I had a Trader Joe's nearby, I'd supplement from them to save a little. And, I do get spices from the internet. But, I've been shopping WF for so long, I find the myriad unhealthy products in other grocery stores downright offensive.-COLLAPSE

  • Wegmans is great. I really do love it. But I'm committed to trying to eat more organic food, and their selection just isn't THAT great. When I lived back in Jersey, I would do most of my grocery shopping at Trader Joe's for staples, and then Whole Foods for my organic produce and sustainably raised meat. I'm single with a good income, so the prices weren't really that huge an issue for me. I went...+READ

    Wegmans is great. I really do love it. But I'm committed to trying to eat more organic food, and their selection just isn't THAT great. When I lived back in Jersey, I would do most of my grocery shopping at Trader Joe's for staples, and then Whole Foods for my organic produce and sustainably raised meat. I'm single with a good income, so the prices weren't really that huge an issue for me. I went to Wegmans when I needed food for parties, basically. Of course, now that I'm in Denver, Whole Foods and Sunflower Market are really the only great places to shop for food as far as I'm concerned. Not having a TJ's around is really denting my pocketbook though.-COLLAPSE

  • My local WF has outrageous prices for produce, imo. And the produce does not look or taste better than their competition. I could not eat healthy if I shopped there.

  • I like WF. My town is anchored with national chain supermarkets that are efficient but don't provide great service nor quite the selection I see at WF. When I need a really nice cut of meat or great quality cheese or bread, I'll shop at WF. Trader Joe's is confusing to me - too many items in too small a space so I don't shop there regularly. As far as WF CEO Mackey's comments in the WSJ - Bravo!

  • Quite simply: The open-mindedness, cultural inquisitiveness and education that affords careers that pay highly enough for one to cook fancy food at home belong to people of a particular political bent that is not shared by John Mackey.

    Alternately, in the city in which we live, WF is a laughable rip-off (trucking organic crap from around the world to the middle of the country sorta ruins the...+READ

    Quite simply: The open-mindedness, cultural inquisitiveness and education that affords careers that pay highly enough for one to cook fancy food at home belong to people of a particular political bent that is not shared by John Mackey.

    Alternately, in the city in which we live, WF is a laughable rip-off (trucking organic crap from around the world to the middle of the country sorta ruins the sanctimony of the endeavor) compared with our coops and "ethnic" markets.

    Here at least, and in many parts of the country I imagine, there are simply better places and ways to buy your food than in giant fancy supermarkets.-COLLAPSE

  • For me, there is no reason to go to WF. I go to local H mart(Korean market) for fresh fruits, vege and fish at super low prices. Their fishes are just amazing!! I also go to locally owned fruit/vege market and they have super fresh produces at really good, i mean really good prices. I don't even buy produces from Costco anymore.
    For groceries and meat, I go to Shoprite in the next town which has...+READ

    For me, there is no reason to go to WF. I go to local H mart(Korean market) for fresh fruits, vege and fish at super low prices. Their fishes are just amazing!! I also go to locally owned fruit/vege market and they have super fresh produces at really good, i mean really good prices. I don't even buy produces from Costco anymore.
    For groceries and meat, I go to Shoprite in the next town which has really good selection of meat. They also have organic in almost everything you want.
    Stop and shop in my town has really good prices on organic milks and eggs but I usually buy organic milks, eggs and non processed deli items from Trader's Joe.-COLLAPSE

  • There are so many well-stocked local and ethnic markets in northern NJ that WF is pretty much an afterthought for me. My local ShopRite carries many of the higher-end cheeses that WF carries, and at DOLLARS per pound less [and I'm talking cheeses like Humboldt Fog]. WF has really good hummus and if I'm in the area I'll stop at the premade deli counter to pick up a couple of small containers of...+READ

    There are so many well-stocked local and ethnic markets in northern NJ that WF is pretty much an afterthought for me. My local ShopRite carries many of the higher-end cheeses that WF carries, and at DOLLARS per pound less [and I'm talking cheeses like Humboldt Fog]. WF has really good hummus and if I'm in the area I'll stop at the premade deli counter to pick up a couple of small containers of food as a treat. Yeah, I know I can make all this stuff, and I usually have ingredients on hand, but I'm a working single person and sometimes I just want life to be a little easy. But believe me, even the hummus isn't worth a trip to WF - it's a little out of the way for me and just not at the top of my list.-COLLAPSE

  • I like Whole Foods and have been shopping at Maryland locations since they were called Fresh Fields. I've know many of the employees for years and find them very knowledgeable about their sections of the store. Their produce is the best in town as is their cheese and meat (although I shop at the farmers market from April to December and sometimes an Asian market). Also, plenty of local products....+READ

    I like Whole Foods and have been shopping at Maryland locations since they were called Fresh Fields. I've know many of the employees for years and find them very knowledgeable about their sections of the store. Their produce is the best in town as is their cheese and meat (although I shop at the farmers market from April to December and sometimes an Asian market). Also, plenty of local products. True it's expensive, but the quality is very high and mostly organic, so the cost is understandable. Word of advice: eat less meat and you can keep the bill down.

    I would agree that their union stance is wrong and disappointing. For some, I guess they got too popular. Just not indie enough anymore. They are good at what they do though.-COLLAPSE

  • I started to go there because of their milk selection. I love the Straus milk and I like whole foods a lot more than the other store(Jimbo's) that carries it. They also have a decent selection of butter, cheese, meats. They also carry Pasture raised eggs which is the only place around me that does.

    For most things I go to Trader Joe's. I never buy brand name items except for at trader...+READ

    I started to go there because of their milk selection. I love the Straus milk and I like whole foods a lot more than the other store(Jimbo's) that carries it. They also have a decent selection of butter, cheese, meats. They also carry Pasture raised eggs which is the only place around me that does.

    For most things I go to Trader Joe's. I never buy brand name items except for at trader joe's(since that's their thing).

    But at my local Trader Joe's, the fruits are never any good. Their vegetables are good though. So... Since i'm at whole foods anyways, I get some vegetables there too saving me a trip to somewhere else.

    Personally I don't care about their political stance one way or the other. I do care that they stock things that other places don't. And that's why I go there.-COLLAPSE

  • "Whole Paycheck" may have been valid in whole Foods early years, but now I find that their prices for brand name items are usually less than Safeway and often the equal of Trader Joe's.

  • The Trader Joe's near us has the worst produce I've ever seen. It's good for some frozen foods and dried fruits/nuts, and cheap wine.

    Have started shopping at Giant again as they've finally wised up and sped up their cashiers - I stopped going there after the third time I had to wait half an hour in line.

    Harris Teeter = Giant with some better foods and somewhat higher prices.

    Whole...+READ

    The Trader Joe's near us has the worst produce I've ever seen. It's good for some frozen foods and dried fruits/nuts, and cheap wine.

    Have started shopping at Giant again as they've finally wised up and sped up their cashiers - I stopped going there after the third time I had to wait half an hour in line.

    Harris Teeter = Giant with some better foods and somewhat higher prices.

    Whole Foods = Harris Teeter with a good number of additional good foods (where else can I reliably find pine nuts or Madagascar vanilla, or even hazelnuts?) but:
    - Yes, the prices are sad (although they've got a much better cheap wine selection than they used to)
    - Ditto on the CEO
    - I don't know what they did with the seafood but it now sucks - used to be great; now it just looks great but seems to be 100% frozen (although they claim it is fresh, but if pressed they will admit it was frozen), meaning everything from there once I take it home to cook it has that "fishy" small - zero fresh seafood. And we live 15 minutes from the DC waterfront where fresh fish is sold every day!
    - every day more and more natural products disappear to be replaced by convenience foods. Yes, as a busy mom, it is great to be able to buy Domino sugar or Welch's juices in the store, but are their processing facilities child labor free? Do they all pay minimum wages, are they unionized or small companies; do they follow American labor laws or stricter standards? Why am I starting to see juice "blends" in Whole Foods that mention in tiny print or not at all on the front that they also contain white grape and other juices, or products with "natural" flavors (made in a lab), and I think I even saw some products with high fructose corn syrup? That stuff makes my girls emotional as all get-out, unbelievable.
    - I miss Bread & Circus from when I lived in Boston. The breads were out of this world. At least WF's breads are better than they used to be. I liked Wild Oats too, where we shopped in Arizona - disorganized as it was.-COLLAPSE

  • The whole store is impossible to navigate, and forget it if you're in a hurry!

  • Interesting, I love Whole Foods. Full disclosure, I think Mackey's views on health care are brilliant and visionary, and also fully support any business that opposes unions. So there's that.

    But in reality, I'm not going to shop somewhere for political reasons.

    Whole Foods:
    - is convenient (right on my walk home)
    - has fresher produce and seafood
    - has great specials (e.g. skewer of 5...+READ

    Interesting, I love Whole Foods. Full disclosure, I think Mackey's views on health care are brilliant and visionary, and also fully support any business that opposes unions. So there's that.

    But in reality, I'm not going to shop somewhere for political reasons.

    Whole Foods:
    - is convenient (right on my walk home)
    - has fresher produce and seafood
    - has great specials (e.g. skewer of 5 shrimp for $1)
    - has a great beer selection
    - is really not more expensive for most things, and often is cheaper
    - has much better quality meat - yes, it is more expensive (much more expensive in some cases), but I don't eat all that much meat, so when I do, I want the good stuff.


    So right, I won't buy skirt steak at WF for $15 a pound, I'll buy it for $8 on FreshDirect. And I'll buy most other stuff at WF.

    Really, the only big negative for me are the lines - but those move much faster than you'd think too.-COLLAPSE

  • I shop where food is cheapest. That's most important to me ($10/hour and no benefits? no whole foods) so usually I shop local ethnic markets for best prices on produce and meat and rice.

  • I shop in lots of different places depending on what I'm buying - I like the mussels from WF, and I always order my Thanksgiving turkey from them, but I shop the full range of farmers' markets, local produce shops, sausage shops in the North End, Portuguese, Armenian, and Indian markets, and Costco. My loyalty goes where the food quality and prices suit me; sometimes that's WF, often not. (And...+READ

    I shop in lots of different places depending on what I'm buying - I like the mussels from WF, and I always order my Thanksgiving turkey from them, but I shop the full range of farmers' markets, local produce shops, sausage shops in the North End, Portuguese, Armenian, and Indian markets, and Costco. My loyalty goes where the food quality and prices suit me; sometimes that's WF, often not. (And part of being a foodie is enjoying this sort of constant "foraging"!)The only thing I truly dislike about WF is that they don't sell lobster.-COLLAPSE

  • I do 90% of my weekly shopping at Whole Foods and it doesn't break the bank. How, you ask? I don't buy their prepared foods. I only buy fancy cheeses for special occasion (Cabot is my "everyday" cheese). I buy meats there only when on sale for the most part. On a regular basis, I am only buying things like rice, beans, vegetables, butter, milk, cleaning products, bread products, and maybe some...+READ

    I do 90% of my weekly shopping at Whole Foods and it doesn't break the bank. How, you ask? I don't buy their prepared foods. I only buy fancy cheeses for special occasion (Cabot is my "everyday" cheese). I buy meats there only when on sale for the most part. On a regular basis, I am only buying things like rice, beans, vegetables, butter, milk, cleaning products, bread products, and maybe some frozen stuff here and there. If you are buying a pound of prosciutto de parma and a chunk of Maytag blue cheese every time you go to WF, then no wonder people call it Whole Paycheck.-COLLAPSE

  • went to the nearest WH today in the Denver 'burbs and asked for duck fat at the meat counter. The guy had never even heard of it--kept suggesting pate. Not a destination if you want to do any gourmet cooking.

  • If you live in Portland, OR Zupan's is tops in my book. A perfect blend of small neighborhood and gourmet store. None of the false pretension of Whole Foods. The employees are generally happy, albeit quirky. Best of both worlds.

  • The WF nearest me (and that has been there for the longest) must just be poorly run. I don't do all my shopping there, but over the years there have been a few things that I preferred their brand. And I'd always hit it where the one thing I wanted wasn't in stock. The little bit of exposure I'd had to their management philosophy, I always assumed that they had to get together and all talk about...+READ

    The WF nearest me (and that has been there for the longest) must just be poorly run. I don't do all my shopping there, but over the years there have been a few things that I preferred their brand. And I'd always hit it where the one thing I wanted wasn't in stock. The little bit of exposure I'd had to their management philosophy, I always assumed that they had to get together and all talk about it, and build consensus, rather than just ordering peanut butter or tonic water in time to not run out (sometimes for over a month).-COLLAPSE

  • I don't live near Whole Foods now, but when I did, I found it welcome and even affordable, mainly because I buy rather few packaged or processed foods. If you go there to get produce, meats, fish, bulk items, and the odd can of garbanzos, you won't pay a fortune. The story will be different, though, if you buy lots of things like crackers, boxed cereals, frozen dinners, prepared deli items, etc....+READ

    I don't live near Whole Foods now, but when I did, I found it welcome and even affordable, mainly because I buy rather few packaged or processed foods. If you go there to get produce, meats, fish, bulk items, and the odd can of garbanzos, you won't pay a fortune. The story will be different, though, if you buy lots of things like crackers, boxed cereals, frozen dinners, prepared deli items, etc. That said, I always did make a point to get national and imported brand items elsewhere (say, boxed pastas). If you buy whole foods at Whole Foods, you don't spend a fortune.-COLLAPSE

  • TJ has a sharper point of view as to what customer it is trying to satisfy. Whereas Holy Foods just tries to create the aura of "If we do it it is what you sahould buy!" TJ does have high quality items at very competitive prices; Holy Foods has huge mark ups ocross the board. I know they bloviate about their house brand, "365" as being priced at levels similiar to other supermarkets,;but who...+READ

    TJ has a sharper point of view as to what customer it is trying to satisfy. Whereas Holy Foods just tries to create the aura of "If we do it it is what you sahould buy!" TJ does have high quality items at very competitive prices; Holy Foods has huge mark ups ocross the board. I know they bloviate about their house brand, "365" as being priced at levels similiar to other supermarkets,;but who wants frozen veg from CHINA!!!!!, Oh it states "Organic" on the label.....Yup, organic from CHINA that sure gives me a warm and cozy feeling.-COLLAPSE

  • Where I work in NJ a WF and a Trader Joes opened around the same time. I frequently visit the TJ but rarely the WF. Trader Joes has great prices and good quality on items like frozen veg, peanut butter and nuts and a range of other interesting items. My experience of WF has been that it is signficantly overpriced in the produce area (I am not a big organic user) without any advantage in taste and...+READ

    Where I work in NJ a WF and a Trader Joes opened around the same time. I frequently visit the TJ but rarely the WF. Trader Joes has great prices and good quality on items like frozen veg, peanut butter and nuts and a range of other interesting items. My experience of WF has been that it is signficantly overpriced in the produce area (I am not a big organic user) without any advantage in taste and selection over alternatives, disappointing bread,a spotty grocery selection and expensive flowers that lasted little more than a day. There is also too big an emphasis on non-food products in the stores. Frankly, Id rather shop at costco and fill in at local Brooklyn shops, greengrocers,NY and NJ ethnic markets, bakeries and farmers markets.

    PS Meiers isnt anything much. Its ok in Ohio for range of produce and decent price etc, but beyond that its not impressive.-COLLAPSE

  • It depends upon which WF you shop in. The WF by me, west of Ft. Lauderdale is one of their smaller stores. The Meat Dept. Team leader knows me by name and is happy to make custom cuts for me (like whole deboned shortrib) or place special orders (like whole pork belly) The fish department makes every effort to buy locally and usually has fresher fish than my area alternatives. Likewise for the...+READ

    It depends upon which WF you shop in. The WF by me, west of Ft. Lauderdale is one of their smaller stores. The Meat Dept. Team leader knows me by name and is happy to make custom cuts for me (like whole deboned shortrib) or place special orders (like whole pork belly) The fish department makes every effort to buy locally and usually has fresher fish than my area alternatives. Likewise for the produce dept. although is South Florida we only get a selection of local produce in the winter. The cheese department has a good selection with quite a few artisan selections. The wine and beer selection is not huge but interesting. Even if I had the time, there are vry few small shops that I could easily patronize that offer the selection WF does and they are for the most part more expensive. Yes their prepared foods are expensive and often lack imagination but my focus is on ingrediants, not prepared food. I buy paper goods at Costco so if they are overpriced on those items it's not my problem. My vote goes to WF by a landslide.-COLLAPSE

  • Live in Birmingham and do most of my non staple shopping @WF. We have a beautiful store, mostly helpful staff and the best meat department in the area. There are smaller, family run options and if they were convenient they would be in my rotation. As with most things moderation is a safe play. I use them for items where I know the quality is better, the sourcing is local and really sometimes just...+READ

    Live in Birmingham and do most of my non staple shopping @WF. We have a beautiful store, mostly helpful staff and the best meat department in the area. There are smaller, family run options and if they were convenient they would be in my rotation. As with most things moderation is a safe play. I use them for items where I know the quality is better, the sourcing is local and really sometimes just for inspiration. Sitting at the bistro bar in our store flipping through recipes, its fun to go see if they have everything I need.-COLLAPSE

  • Meijer is terrible. Like, terrible. All of my local Meijers have gross produce.

    Kudu222, I used to work at Wild Oats. Whole Foods is superior to Wild Oats in a lot of ways--the truth is that WF didn't "do" anything to Wild Oats, WO failed because it had terrible policies.

    For the people calling Whole Foods too expensive, you really should check again. I've found VERY reasonable prices on a...+READ

    Meijer is terrible. Like, terrible. All of my local Meijers have gross produce.

    Kudu222, I used to work at Wild Oats. Whole Foods is superior to Wild Oats in a lot of ways--the truth is that WF didn't "do" anything to Wild Oats, WO failed because it had terrible policies.

    For the people calling Whole Foods too expensive, you really should check again. I've found VERY reasonable prices on a lot of items, including olive oil and cheese--some cheaper than Walmart, and considering the product is superior, one can't complain about that at all. If you have a local market that is better, that's great--some people don't like shopping at national chains as opposed to buying local, and that's understandable. But the WF hate is silly and illogical.-COLLAPSE

  • Hole foods SUCKS! Remember what their CEO did to their competitor Wild Oats, now they have a corner on the market and can rape their customers with high prices. I refuse to deal with a company that has the equivalent business ethics of a Wall Street Banker!

  • "Whole Paycheck" is what it's called around here. In the Bay Area, there are plenty of home grown alternatives, so when the CEO acts like a right wing ghoul and denounces Obama's efforts to extend health care benefits and to regulate the bloated for profit health insurance industry, locals have multiple alternatives where they can "vote with their feet." We almost never go there, despite their...+READ

    "Whole Paycheck" is what it's called around here. In the Bay Area, there are plenty of home grown alternatives, so when the CEO acts like a right wing ghoul and denounces Obama's efforts to extend health care benefits and to regulate the bloated for profit health insurance industry, locals have multiple alternatives where they can "vote with their feet." We almost never go there, despite their lovely seafood selections and fresh produce. Why? They cost an arm and a leg and we simply don't need to shop there as there are plenty of cheaper alternatives.-COLLAPSE

  • If there's nothing better than Whole Foods in your community (the Denver area comes to mind), then by all means shop at Whole Foods. I live in Austin, where WF originated, and Central Market is far superior. This niche store line of HEB's, targeted to serious cooks, has the freshest and largest selection of produce, seafood, and meats I've seen outside of Tokyo or London. There is absolutely none...+READ

    If there's nothing better than Whole Foods in your community (the Denver area comes to mind), then by all means shop at Whole Foods. I live in Austin, where WF originated, and Central Market is far superior. This niche store line of HEB's, targeted to serious cooks, has the freshest and largest selection of produce, seafood, and meats I've seen outside of Tokyo or London. There is absolutely none of the slacker, groovemeister attitude that WF not only allows, but appears to cultivate. Customers at Central Market are treated with respect, and the employees are hired because they love good food, not because they fit a political type. Whole Foods should take note, but CM has been around quite a few years now and John Mackey doesn't seem to have learned anything from them. Hubris maybe?-COLLAPSE

  • Why Do So Many Foodies Hate Whole Foods? because they slap a fancy label on the stuff and charge you 3 times the price for the same goods elsewhere.

  • I love whole foods and do most of my shopping there. If you're not buying tons of packaged, processed, single-portion foods (and if you call yourself a "foodie" you really shouldn't be) it's basically the same cost as everywhere else (I live in the NYC suburbs.) I've tried switching to other chains like A&P or Shop-Rite, but the bill ends up being about the same. What I really hate is Trader...+READ

    I love whole foods and do most of my shopping there. If you're not buying tons of packaged, processed, single-portion foods (and if you call yourself a "foodie" you really shouldn't be) it's basically the same cost as everywhere else (I live in the NYC suburbs.) I've tried switching to other chains like A&P or Shop-Rite, but the bill ends up being about the same. What I really hate is Trader Joes--talk about overrated and overprocessed crap. If you're buying actual whole foods, Whole Foods (and the is just fine. And I like that they have high standards: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/unacceptable-ingredients.php-COLLAPSE

  • A fool and his money are easily parted... and fools shop at Whole Foods.

  • ...to support my last comment, do a Google search for "The Ploy of Soy". The Nourishing Our Children website describes the specifics on the soy issue. That's why I have some 'beef' with Whole Foods.

  • I'm not a huge Whole Foods supporter myself and, yeah, they are expensive but generally speaking the food quality is much higher than at the local convenience store. Besides the price factor, it pains me so to know that soy is being promoted as a healthy alternative to animal protein. Sure, soy does have decent amounts of protein for the person who is vegan or vegetarian, but a lot of people...+READ

    I'm not a huge Whole Foods supporter myself and, yeah, they are expensive but generally speaking the food quality is much higher than at the local convenience store. Besides the price factor, it pains me so to know that soy is being promoted as a healthy alternative to animal protein. Sure, soy does have decent amounts of protein for the person who is vegan or vegetarian, but a lot of people don't know that unfermented soy products also has a significant negative effect on the body. Through the natural process of fermentation is soy only negated of its negative properties and therefore healthful for the consumer. Unfortunately, unfermented soy is in just about every processed food, whether or not the product claims to be healthful or not. Whole Foods and many other natural food stores don't know or don't take this in account when they really should look more in to it and consider it. Happy, healthy searching!-COLLAPSE

  • Why don't (some) foodies like Whole Foods?

    liberal elites who are pissed off that the CEO doesn't support socialized medicine
    liberal elites that think that any business that has more than 50 employees is capitalist scum
    liberal elites who think that the only good food is found somewhere no one else can buy it, you know it's the old, once it's popular it's no longer "cool" ( insert whatever...+READ

    Why don't (some) foodies like Whole Foods?

    liberal elites who are pissed off that the CEO doesn't support socialized medicine
    liberal elites that think that any business that has more than 50 employees is capitalist scum
    liberal elites who think that the only good food is found somewhere no one else can buy it, you know it's the old, once it's popular it's no longer "cool" ( insert whatever the latest slang is) syndrome-COLLAPSE

  • And no one has even put up their nickname yet - 'Whole Paycheck'!

  • Wegmans, never heard of them; Central Market, never heard of Texas (or wish I hadn't!); Meijer, just another mediocre average American market; Whole Foods, at least they are trying to compete on a higher level of quality and always have something fresh when Safeway or King Sooper's (for you eastern folk, that's a Colorado-based, western market chain that includes City Market) can't even produce...+READ

    Wegmans, never heard of them; Central Market, never heard of Texas (or wish I hadn't!); Meijer, just another mediocre average American market; Whole Foods, at least they are trying to compete on a higher level of quality and always have something fresh when Safeway or King Sooper's (for you eastern folk, that's a Colorado-based, western market chain that includes City Market) can't even produce an orange, let alone decent berries, fresh-cut meats, or fish less than one week old. Leave WF out of the equation? Only if you're a stockholder in one of those other creepy places!-COLLAPSE

  • I do not like the Wegman's in my area. The store is aggravating and the set up is frustrating. It's always been my theory that whoever did the layout for the store never shopped in a supermarket in his/her life! The Wegman's products are pushed and placed in your face while you have to hunt to find your own favorites. Then in the middle of everything is the "gift shop" items. If I want a new...+READ

    I do not like the Wegman's in my area. The store is aggravating and the set up is frustrating. It's always been my theory that whoever did the layout for the store never shopped in a supermarket in his/her life! The Wegman's products are pushed and placed in your face while you have to hunt to find your own favorites. Then in the middle of everything is the "gift shop" items. If I want a new teapot, I'll go to Macy's thank you. In the deli section, the meats are presliced although they will not hesitate to slice fresh. But my local Foodtown slices their deli meats like they are a high end deli--not so at Wegman's where they are sloppily laid out and wrapped.
    Anyone get the impression I don't like my Wegman's. I will say I do really like the cooked food station which has a nice variety of prepared foods that you can put together like a salad bar.-COLLAPSE

  • I live in the suburbs of Chicago and love my Whole Foods. They are friendly, organized and carry wonderful produce, meat and fish. The people in the health area are always extremely helpful. They are expensive, but like others have said, you can choose to shop the 365 line for savings, and they are good. I wish I could go to the organic produce store and a butcher who knows my name like johnitis...+READ

    I live in the suburbs of Chicago and love my Whole Foods. They are friendly, organized and carry wonderful produce, meat and fish. The people in the health area are always extremely helpful. They are expensive, but like others have said, you can choose to shop the 365 line for savings, and they are good. I wish I could go to the organic produce store and a butcher who knows my name like johnitis (actually that would be awesome), but those aren't available in my area. So for me, Whole Foods is a staple. I also shop at Brookhaven and find more ethic foods there.-COLLAPSE

  • I thought being a foodie meant that you shopped local? Even if the CEO wasn't a massive jerk, there are far better options in Chicago than WF. The Lincoln Park store is an abomination, full of pretentious drunks dragging baskets behind them with one hand, and with beers in the other, trying to get to a table so they can play with their iPads. TJ's is stroller central, with mothers teaching their...+READ

    I thought being a foodie meant that you shopped local? Even if the CEO wasn't a massive jerk, there are far better options in Chicago than WF. The Lincoln Park store is an abomination, full of pretentious drunks dragging baskets behind them with one hand, and with beers in the other, trying to get to a table so they can play with their iPads. TJ's is stroller central, with mothers teaching their progeny important lessons in rudeness. Chicago is full of small, reasonably priced mom and pops. I can drive in a straight line to an organic produce store, a butcher who knows my name and gives me occasional extra discounts out of appreciation, a great wine shop, and a couple of small markets where I buy staples. And I get to keep most of my paycheck.-COLLAPSE

  • Perhaps I'm ignorant but I love Whole Foods. I think it depends on the choices in your area. It can be very expensive, but there are less expensive options throughout the store. I think their produce is very good, I don't know why others are criticizing it. I don't live near a Wegmans or anything comparable. My other choices are Safeway or Giant. :( I am fortunate to live near a Trader Joe's, but...+READ

    Perhaps I'm ignorant but I love Whole Foods. I think it depends on the choices in your area. It can be very expensive, but there are less expensive options throughout the store. I think their produce is very good, I don't know why others are criticizing it. I don't live near a Wegmans or anything comparable. My other choices are Safeway or Giant. :( I am fortunate to live near a Trader Joe's, but that's not really a full-service grocery store. Due to the expense, I only go to Whole Foods occasionally. Sometimes that's the only place I can get certain items.-COLLAPSE

  • It's all relative to in-store management. We have two Whole Foods markets nearby. I hate one (layout, the stank of collective vitamins -- manufactured vitamins DO NOT smell good -- slow service, mediocre wine department and hodge-podge organization). Love the other because it doesn't suffer the aforementioned negatives. Compared to other area supermarkets, though, the WF organic 365-generic brand...+READ

    It's all relative to in-store management. We have two Whole Foods markets nearby. I hate one (layout, the stank of collective vitamins -- manufactured vitamins DO NOT smell good -- slow service, mediocre wine department and hodge-podge organization). Love the other because it doesn't suffer the aforementioned negatives. Compared to other area supermarkets, though, the WF organic 365-generic brand staples cost less than the generics (not necessarily organic) from the other markets so overall, I get quality products from WFs and save, too. Still, waiting for The Fresh Market to move into the area -- not cheap, but the atmosphere alone satisfies the appetite, and it's filled with ingredients instead of over-processed junk, lush, compact, perfect -- which will make everything I wrote at the top of no further interest. Can't WAIT!-COLLAPSE

  • if you know how to shop right, you can get a lot for reasonable prices at Whole Foods. their produce is awesome and almost always has in season produce from local producers (I live in Chicago). they actually have an animal welfare rating system now that is quite legit. I looked it up online and it's laborious to go through all the qualifications it takes to meet the standards. kudos to them for...+READ

    if you know how to shop right, you can get a lot for reasonable prices at Whole Foods. their produce is awesome and almost always has in season produce from local producers (I live in Chicago). they actually have an animal welfare rating system now that is quite legit. I looked it up online and it's laborious to go through all the qualifications it takes to meet the standards. kudos to them for that. I know they heavily mark up a lot of their retail, processed items, so I just wait to see what's on sale every week.

    Trader Joe's is good for some staple items, but they're products just seem inferior in so many ways, and I don't feel like I really "get" more for my money there when the quality is lower. Whole Foods also exposes me to all sorts of companies and new brands of foods that they carry, whereas TJ's is all their private label and I have no idea where it all comes from.

    the Mariano's chain that's expanding in this region has some promise (part of Pick n Save). they carry a lot of the Roundy's organic store brand.

    but yeah, there's nothing wrong with Whole Foods. people that hate on it just don't know what they're doing with themselves.-COLLAPSE

  • by the way, for a busy person in a community without a ton of other options- go Whole Foods!! If I watch the prices I can buy a lot of nice ingredients to feed 5 people under $200/week. I think some locations are more $$ than others. I love love love mine though, it's a pleasure to go there usually.

  • I'm guessing he said "let's leave out WF" because that is the obvious first choice of most people here... :)

  • I am a litle disappointed lately in the take out foods...they seem thrown together and mass produced.

  • TJ > WF? Absurd! Their cheeses are mostly mediocre and all horribly packaged, their fresh produce is below mediocre and they often only offer a large bundle of something when you only want one, and their prepackaged entrees are generally bland and boring, nowhere near as tasty they make them look on the package (though I do make an exception for their frozen mac & cheese).

    The main things I buy...+READ

    TJ > WF? Absurd! Their cheeses are mostly mediocre and all horribly packaged, their fresh produce is below mediocre and they often only offer a large bundle of something when you only want one, and their prepackaged entrees are generally bland and boring, nowhere near as tasty they make them look on the package (though I do make an exception for their frozen mac & cheese).

    The main things I buy at Trader Joes are wines, nuts, and certain imported sweets. At Whole Foods I get real groceries.-COLLAPSE

  • Trader Joe's is so much better than Whole Foods!

  • Ok well not everyone has time to make even 3-4 stops to get groceries. I work and have a family and love to cook. Most importantly, i need a place where I can, reliably get what I came for. I WISH I had a WF near me. There's one near my parents place and it's awesome.

  • In my community, people who shop at whole foods are guilty moms who don't want to cook or pretentious faux-foodies. I also fins I can get better quality meat and produce at farm markets, decent cheese at Trader Joe's, exotica at Korean supermarkets, and fresh spices and grain from my Co-op. Yes, it's a lot of stops, but I actually like to cook!

  • I think you're right, the reason I could never go into a Whole Foods is because of the CEO. I realize that it's childish, but still the root of the reason.