Re: Getting a WHOLE FOODS in our area

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

@Moonchilde wrote:
There are multiple Whole Foods around me as well as multiple Trader Joes. They cater to very different customers.

Whole Foods trades on the belief that if you label something organic and/or "healthy/healthIER", people will (1) believe you out of hand, and that (2) those with high amounts of disposable income will flock there in droves to be able to say they shop there and make sure friends & neighbors know they do.

It's very much a status symbol, i.e. I can afford to shop here, I don't shop at the proletariat chains, and I clearly care more about my health than "the rest of you" do. That about sums it up.

There are farmers markets everywhere that sell organic produce for half of what WF sells it for, not to mention the supermarket chains also sell organic.

It's all down to how much money are you happy to spend there.

ETA that I have spent plenty of $$ at WF in my days of infatuation with it, patronized it regularly for about a year. I just got tired of paying double and not receiving a product worth double to me.

It is like life in the USA: YOU get to decide what things are worth; YOU get to see how much money you want to spend on things; and YOU decide what you want to buy and what you value. Examples are: Dooney bags; Le Creuset cookware; Bob Mackie; Prepology; Lock and Lock; Denim and Co.; Crab Cakes; and cosmetics. That's exactly right! No rights or wrongs, just decisions for each person.

PeterDM · ‎07-30-2014

The only things I purchase at Whole Foods are coffee, plants, and prepared foods (on occasion). I get my coffee there, because they sell organic beans that you can grind yourself. I use a french press, so it's necessary to do a coarse ground. Also, it's much cheaper than other commercial brands. Since I go every 10 days or so to pick up coffee, I always check out to see what is available in the prepared foods section, especially if I don't feel like cooking dinner. They have a nice selection of soups and Indian food. I recently bought a couple of orchids there as well, and they were much nicer, bigger, and cheaper than the ones being sold at my Kroger. The baked goods look nice, but sweets aren't my thing. All other types of food can be found at my Kroger at much lower prices.

sandraskates · ‎06-26-2014

I really do like Whole Foods. I find that their produce is always fresh and the prices on it are reasonable - definately cheaper than the farmers markets ( where I also shop) - and much of the produce is also locally grown.

Hubby and I don't always go through our produce fast and I noticed that the collard greens I buy at Whole Foods will stay fresh enough to eat for about 1 1/2 weeks. Contrast with another market where I sometimes purchase them and they are decayed within a couple days.

While produce may be cheaper at Trader Joes, Whole Foods beats it hands-down on quality.(I rarely shop at TJs anymore).

The WF meat section is great but it is pricey. I do buy ground beef there on occasion and Mary's chickens (the best).

Yes, it can turn into "Whole Paycheck" and that's because their health and beauty section is outstanding and enticing! That's where I tend to cave to impulse buying and jack up the bill. Yet, I have never been disappointed with any product I've bought in that section. They also clothing, toys, and books.

If you don't like a product they will take it back. Some of the 365 branded items are quite good (cream cheese, ice cream), some not and I've returned them (salad dressing, tarter sauce).

Give it a whirl and make up your own mind! :-)

truffle · ‎01-04-2016

@Moonchilde wrote:
@truffle wrote:
They had a massive layoff nationwide of 1500 employees to lower prices. A manager said prices will slowly go down over the next few months or so. I'll believe it when I see it.

They also have (had?) plans to open what are basically cheaper versions of the original stores, targeting millenials. Google "Whole Foods downgrade."

Maybe they're planning on using those laidoff employees including the one who told me Whole Foods was upscale poor thing lost her job shortly after that.

lavendar · ‎03-10-2010

It's the only place I can get antibiotic free meat and chicken. Their 365 Brand has some great items that are not expensive. After Costco their 365 coffee is the best buy out there.

They have sales that run from Wed. to Tuesday. Last week I got delicious HUGE shrimp for $12 a lb and sirloin steak for 9 bucks a lb. Organic chicken pot pies were on sale. Check for sales online; they do not advertise.

My parents had a small, fancy produce market. The kind of store that doesn't exist anymore. I buy produce at WF when it's on sale. I wish I could afford to buy all my produce there. The supermarket right near me is overpriced.

Friends shop for me at Costco so it all evens out.

winamac1 · ‎12-29-2010

@JustJazzmom wrote:
My son calls Whole Foods -- Whole Paycheck!

He rarely visits the one near him because of the high prices of foods that can be bought for less at a local grocery store down the street from his place.

There is one near where I live and I went there to look for loose tea, I ended up buying bagels and they cost much more than if they were bought at a local Deli.

Fairway, Trader Joes and Fresh Market are better places for food if you want unusual items.

I think Fresh Market is almost as high. WE have both within 2 miles of each other.

I'm now going to Market District. I love that store!

"friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel"

HappyDaze · ‎06-13-2012

I like whole foods but also really like Market of Choice, which has not only specialty stuff but normal stuff too, like brands you find in regular stores (Cheerios, Ragu sauce, etc..). Whole foods does not really carry regular brands. If I don't get my veggies and fruit at the farmer's market, I get them at Whole Foods (organic), as well as my organic spices, milk, Flax milk, beans, etc. We eat at their food court sometimes- I really like a few of their sandwiches. I LOVE the fact that they have recycle bins for everything- plastic bags, water filters, plastic lids, plastic containers, cardboard, etc.

Lucky Charm · ‎03-09-2010

I like WF's and frequent there at least once a week.

They carry organic produce that I can't get at my regular grocery stores. (Tried getting them to carry items, but didn't work out too well.)

I'm not going to lie, I love their bakery. Vegan cupcakes, cookies and banana bread. Baked fresh and delish.

I also like the choice of an organic salad bar....lots of different choices and not just lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers.

Some WF have *bonus* cards. The one by my sister's has $5-50 off your bill or you pick and choose what you want to use your pts. for (free org. eggs, or org. lettuce, etc.).

Unfortunately, there are no WF close to two different homes we own, so heading my sister's way is an hour from one place and two hours (one way!) from our other place.

So, when we're up north, we plan out our shopping trips for WF necessities (cake and cookies!) and visit with my sister.

Cakers3 · ‎06-17-2015

@sandraskates wrote:
I really do like Whole Foods. I find that their produce is always fresh and the prices on it are reasonable - definately cheaper than the farmers markets ( where I also shop) - and much of the produce is also locally grown.

Hubby and I don't always go through our produce fast and I noticed that the collard greens I buy at Whole Foods will stay fresh enough to eat for about 1 1/2 weeks. Contrast with another market where I sometimes purchase them and they are decayed within a couple days.

While produce may be cheaper at Trader Joes, Whole Foods beats it hands-down on quality.(I rarely shop at TJs anymore).

The WF meat section is great but it is pricey. I do buy ground beef there on occasion and Mary's chickens (the best).

Yes, it can turn into "Whole Paycheck" and that's because their health and beauty section is outstanding and enticing! That's where I tend to cave to impulse buying and jack up the bill. Yet, I have never been disappointed with any product I've bought in that section. They also clothing, toys, and books.

If you don't like a product they will take it back. Some of the 365 branded items are quite good (cream cheese, ice cream), some not and I've returned them (salad dressing, tarter sauce).

Give it a whirl and make up your own mind! :-)

This is an excellent summary. We shop at Whole Foods because there is only one alternative in my area and the prices can be higher than the 365 WF brand. Also there have been more recalls on certain meat items there than we have ever seen at WF - I believe I've seen one for WF. We have no Kogers, Publix, etc.

While the layoff situation is troubling for those employees, WF still pays at least $2 above minimum wage for starting cashiers (some start at $11) and how one looks at the severance packages being offered depends upon one's own financial status.

We certainly do not wave out grocery bags around and flaunt the fact that we shop there; and to say that only folks with money can afford it is not true - the one we shop at accepts food assistance programs.

I agree that their produce does last longer; I have a bundle of kale from last week that is still fresh and green and yes, it is organic.

WF also doesn't sell just organic products, either. Some OTHER brands of organics such at SW canned green beans go for a whopping $3.99/can. So yes, you have to be shopper savvy and know what to look for.

Keep in mind that some produce is also brought in from areas that have been suffering drought conditions, so you are not going to find the best being trucked in all the time. Local is good if you have it; organic is a choice, not a demand nor a right.

It all depends upon what one wants in food quality, where the food is being grown, and where one stands in terms of quality of employee benefits and give-back to the community - both locally and internationally. Right now we are content to shop there.

"" Compassion is a verb."-Thich Nhat Hanh