Adios Whole Foods

[Always Randy]

My father was a union man and he would not cross a picket line. In his memory, and to make an example of the ignorant Mr. Mckay-WF CEO---I simply will not go inside that store and never recommend it to others. There are good wholesome people that shop there and they need to be aware that their money is going to a right wing monster in Texas.

[Sherman A1]

1. May I suggest

that you email Whole Foods and explain to them why you are not returning. I think filling their email box would be a nice touch to the "excellent" comments of their leadership.

[flamingdem]

7. Yes, they have been responsive to their customers before n/t

[w0nderer]

24. good idea

that should always be done


i've gotten into conversations in retail with people telling me they'd never return to the store i work at
it was often about something we didn't have a clue about


the store personel and corporate needs to know

just vanishing means little

'look i don't like X...so i'm taking my money elsewhere' means a lot more

[Swede Atlanta]

94. Done......

I summarized by average spending at Whole Paycheck and advised I would no longer be patronizing their stores until the current CEO either apologizes for his abhorrent comments or is removed from his position by the Board.

I don't really care what this man personally believes. While I wish he was more enlightened and educated, I cannot do much about that. But the Board should be very concerned when he makes public statements of his personal views that are controversial. That is unless the company board agrees with these views and considers them consistent with company policy and the public statement is viewed as furthering the interests of the company.

His most recent statements are not that. They are harmful to his company because many of us will be taking our business elsewhere solely because the CEO chose to make a public statement of personal views.

[Sherman A1]

95. Same here

I emailed them earlier today. Might not have any effect, but one never knows. Netflix & BOA changed their minds about things in the past.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

103. The CEO forgot a rule that is useful to successful politicians;

"Never write when you can speak and never speak when you can nod your head"

Opening his yap is gonna cost him dearly.............

[patrice]

2. They're a botique grocery around here anyway, too bad they killed off the real thing, Wild Oats.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

5. Before they killed off Wild Oats they killed of Bread and Circus.

[patrice]

15. In the Northwest it's a more reasonable business model; there isn't enough middle-class

support for the big organic chains in the Midwest, so it went upscale and killed off Wild Oats as they did it, which had carved out a healthy niche for itself here.

We do still have a very good older and well established organic farmers' market in season here, but it's downtownish from here and I'm ag'in driving too far.

HyVee is doing a pretty good job of keeping up their "health market", but it's small and there aren't enough offerings in bulk.

[geardaddy]

58. Here in MN we have a lot of co-ops

That's where I do my organic shopping and most of my food shopping anyway. I get a nice rebate check every fall.

[Bigredhunk]

72. Hy-Vee Is INSANELY Expensive

..esp their "health market." One example, they get TEN DOLLARS for a 32 oz container of Faye Plain NF Greek Yogurt. At Costco and Scum's Club it's $4 and change.

It's nice Hy-Vee has some things, but I can't stand that place. Instead of hiring Curtis Stone, how about lowering your prices? Doesn't help it's the only game in town where I live (they own this town).

[patrice]

77. EVERYTHING is toooooo big & too hostile toward anything that is smaller. Too far away too.

I live in a medium-large metro and getting in the car and driving more than the mile which is the distance to the HyVee, and we're talking at least 3 times as far for the closest CostCo through dense suburban traffic, is something I have chosen not to do.

I prefer Oikos anyway, which may be comparable (but I'll have to wait for the next time I'm in the store to check that), once we factor in my personal carbon footprint, to what you are paying for Faye.

[kurtzapril4]

84. Here in the midwest, they killed off Fresh Fields. n/t

[graywarrior]

16. I worked for Wild Oats and witnessed the slaughter

I'm done with WFs now.

[patrice]

19. Wild Oats was a good store. Real counter-culture with roots actually IN the middle-class.

I miss them.

[graywarrior]

26. Me, too!

[DeschutesRiver]

48. Wild Oats was wonderful. Whole Paycheck is not, and I won't shop there.

That guy who runs it is disgusting, for what he is saying now, and for what he did in the past.

I also used to shop at a store called Nature's in Beaverton Oregon, but that was years ago - don't know if it is still there. Best lemon layer cake I've had, would love that recipe.

I like New Seasons when I am over in the Valley in Oregon, and here in Bend, I do Nature's and Trader Joes (no New Seasons here, just that stupid WFs).

[Berlum]

53. What did he say? What did WF do?

I am deep into this thread, and not a clue yet...

[TexasTowelie]

54. See below:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022201466

[SomeGuyInEagan]

96. Heard it this a.m. Fuck NPR ...

... for giving him a soap box and trying to pass him off as some sort of out-of-the-box intellectual running a business. He is no different that the rest of the MBA-education dipshits who are running companies into the ground to squeeze every penny of short-term profit he can.

[DeschutesRiver]

107. In 2013 - He claims Obamacare is fascism; in 2007, he anonymously posted bad things re: Wild Oats

in an attempt to drive their stock prices down. He was caught flat out, and "apologized" to the shareholders. He played a lot of dirty pool in trying to acquire Wild Oats. Here are a couple of links to that incident:

http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2007/07/12/whole-foods-ceo-posted-online-attacks-about-wild-oats/
http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500395_162-3048457.html

In 2009, he published a scathing anti-health care opinion piece in the WSJ, and the result was a boycott of WFs. As usual, he apologized (he has already apologized for his current fascism comment).

http://themoderatevoice.com/43122/whole-foods-boycott-picks-up-steam/comment-page-1/

He is anti-union - and compared unions to "herpes" at one point.

http://lbo-news.com/2009/08/17/the-whole-foods-brouhaha/

And see TexasTowelie's link for the current brohaha re fascism and healthcare.

Really, this current statement is just a continuation of a long line of what I consider to be bad behavior from a CEO. Google his name and controversies, and you'll get quite a list. Also, I haven't read these articles, just grabbed them from google to give you an idea - I'm on dialup and they weren't even loading for me!.

He is entitled to his opinions, as I am to mine. But I won't support these kind of views by putting money in his wallet.

There is nothing I need from WF that I can't get from TJoe's or New Seasons or a couple of local outfits, so I am glad to not be supporting this man's company.

[ancianita]

138. When I complained to a TJoe's employee about all the high salt/sugar foods, but no seaweed or

unpackaged green produce, she briskly announced that Trader Joe's is not a health food store.

I'm glad I got that mistaken notion cleared up.

[cascadiance]

55. New Seasons rules... I shop there mostly...

And some angry with WF's purchase of Wild Oats should read this article and know why New Seasons is now the place to go.

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2008/12/new_seasons_balks_at_whole_foo.html

And Mackey should also probably criminally charged for his actions noted here.

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB118418782959963745-lMyQjAxMDE3ODE0MTExODE3Wj.html

I shop some at Trader Joe's too.

I also go at times to Fred Meyer here, though their grocery is a little less health conscious and more mainstream. I feel better about shopping there after learning that Fred Meyer personally helped fund the following local Portland startup which I think might do great things for us progressive folks in the future.

http://democracylab.org/

[DeschutesRiver]

108. Those are great links to get people up to speed - this isn't Mackey's first time at the rodeo.

And as soon as my dialup speeds up a bit here, I will go to your link re Fred Meyers as I'm always on the lookout to support businesses that are doing good things. Thanks for posting that!

[Warpy]

52. I loved Wild Oats

and lived on some of their store brands. When Whole Paycheck moved in, the staff got sour and the good products disappeared.

I haven't been there in ten years, and I stopped going even before I found out the CEO is a libertarian asshole.

[KansDem]

61. I shopped Wild Oats in Mission regularly!

I miss Wild Oats!

[Katashi_itto]

97. I remember Wild Oats, in Mission, KS too! It was awesome!

[VanillaRhapsody]

3. decided the same thing today

The co-op is closer anyways...good riddance to bad rubbish Mr Mckay!

[Bainbridge Bear]

40. I used to live in Marin County, CA and they had a Whole Foods

near Mill Valley. I went in there once out of curiosity. I was quite put off by the high prices and the overall "upscale" atmosphere designed to cater to people who love to show off how much money they make. I noticed several BMWs and Range Rovers parked outside. There was a family-owned market closer to where I lived and I know that the owner would never have referred to Obamacare as "fascism". Now I'm living in Washington state and we have a wonderful co-op in town that has great food at fair prices and acts as if it is a part of the community.

[BuddhaGirl]

67. I used to live and work in Mill Valley and now there are 2 WF markets there

less than a couple of miles from each other! The newer store took over an Albertsons; most of the residents in the area wanted Trader Joe's to go into that space and WF didn't want the competition, so they worked to keep Trader Joe's out!

The family market in downtown Mill Valley is wonderful. I always preferred to shop there, and they had a wonderful wine dept. with knowledgeable people staffing it.

[cally]

132. what's the name of the family market?

I mostly shop at the great Farmer;s Market but I like to buy bulk spices and grains so I go to whole foods. I would like a good alternative in Marin instead of having to wait and shop when I'm in SF or the East Bay

[BuddhaGirl]

133. Mill Valley Market - it's in downtown Mill Valley, familly-owned

and has been there for years. They have a great selection! And, a great wine department and prepared foods department.

[peacebird]

4. "Whole paycheck" loses another customer.....

[MrMickeysMom]

6. Costco should run them over with a union tractor, then.

I'd love to get a Costco in our municipality.

I'd follow through with any ideas as to how. I'll be sure never to go to Whole Foods.

[Bjorn Against]

10. Write to them and let them know you want one

They are looking to expand to new places and I am sure they take requests as at least a factor in determining where they build next.

Most Costco stores are not union, but they do maintain far better working conditions than most in the industry and they offer fair wages as well.

[mdavies013]

13. Costco has greatly expanded organic options....love me my Costco.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

111. me too

I wish it were closer! We have a nasty Sam's club

[Squinch]

8. Isn't Trader Joe's such a great place?

[MADem]

51. Trader Joe's is actually affordable, unlike Whole Paycheck.

They have some brazenly good soy chorizo!

They don't have as large an inventory as the former Fresh Fields, though--at least not in the TF stores I've visited.

[JDPriestly]

60. I love Trader Joe's, and I believe they treat their staff relatively well.

http://www.indeed.com/cmp/Trader-Joe%27s/reviews

I have no idea how reliable that website is, but my impression from talking to people who work there is that it is a great, very friendly place to work. I think they pay relatively well.

As a consumer, I love their products. The prices are, for the quality, very competitive although in Los Angeles, I can get cheaper produce -- but it doesn't necessarily meet the high Trader Joe's standards. I compost so that is OK with me.

[Squinch]

69. I was told by an employee that he got full benefits. And he wasn't a manager or asst. mgr.

[xxqqqzme]

80. My son works

@ Trader Joe's. They have great benefits (includes dental) he can afford. The TJs here in Orange County has low employee turnover, so they must be doing something right. When the grocery workers were on strike, a union rep, at our Dem club meeting, suggested shopping at TJs because of their treatment of employees.

Trader Joe's also announced, a few years back, they would no longer be buying bulk food products, for their store brands, from China. Don't know if that policy continues today. That announcement came when China's toxic waste was showing up in food.

[unapatriciated]

89. The policy is still the same and we have changed our buying practices for fish...

to recommended sustainable fish only.

[xxqqqzme]

120. Thank you for

that additional information. I keep forgetting to ask my son about it.

The fish policy is very encouraging.

[Awknid]

113. A clerk at Trader Joes in No. Virginia

Just raved about their benefits and the way they tend to care for their fellow employees. She said that she considered them family. Made me want to apply there.

[unapatriciated]

87. We do have great benefits

Health Insurance geared to staying healthy, with free physicals and gym memberships. Delta dental and eye care.
AR which is equivalent to sick days and two week vacation pay.
retirement fund. To qualify you only have to work 24 hours a week.

Plus their starting pay is usually eight to ten dollars depending on qualifications and a chance for a raise every six months.

[Squinch]

91. I've always gone there for specialty stuff like sprouted breads and reasonably priced almond butter,

but hearing this, I think I'll just go there for all my groceries from now on. It's a little farther than the A & P but, it's worth it.

Thanks for the information.

[unapatriciated]

117. You will find TJ's prices and selection of cheeses can't be beat.

overall prices on your basic groceries are very competitive.

[PatSeg]

70. I've gotten the same impression

Their employees seem to really enjoy working there. A very positive atmosphere, plus great products and reasonable prices.

[apnu]

71. I have a TJ's within walking distance of my house. The employees are some of the happiest people.

The enthusiasm and excitement every Trader Joe's employee I've encountered is almost overwhelming. Costco employees are also upbeat and happy, but the TJ's people have more of it. And it seems very genuine. Unlike Disney where you can see cracks from time to time.

[totodeinhere]

112. They are non union however and their store in Minneapolis has been picketed

by union representatives "carrying signs urging shoppers to boycott Trader Joe's for not employing union workers." It is true that they pay well and most of their employees are satisfied but as long as they are non union management could change that culture in a heartbeat if they choose to. Myself I will continue to patronize unionized stores only.

http://minneapolis.about.com/b/2009/07/03/trader-joes-controversy-trader-joes-in-st-paul-and-minneapolis.htm

[JDPriestly]

114. I think I read some time ago that they are owned by someone who is German.

That could mean that the owner believes in treating workers well. There might be a danger if the ownership changed, but until then, they are probably OK. Trader Joe's is doing well in great part because of the way they treat their employees. You really feel how happy the workers are when you go in the store. They work so hard too from what I can see.

And Trader Joe's always has a little tasting booth so you get to taste one or another of their foods. At least that is true in Los Angeles.

[unapatriciated]

121. It is owned by a German family, but is in a trust.

They original owner sold the company to one of the 'Aldi' brothers years ago with a few stipulations. While the trust is in place things may be tweaked but how they treat employees will remain the same. Integrity is the number one core value of the Company and they really believe in their core values.

We do work very hard and are involved in every aspect of running the store. Everyone from management on down stocks, runs a register, cleans, orders merchandise and even has a turn at cart runs. The company realizes that without the worker there would be no company.

[Bjorn Against]

9. I won't shop there, if you want natural foods go to a co-op

Hell even chain grocery stores are usually better than Whole Foods, in fact in my part of the country there are many union grocery stores among the chains.

[gristy]

11. what happened?

I mean, was there some event?

[Jamaal510]

115. The libertarian-leaning owner came out and called Obamacare "fascist".

[mucifer]

12. Thanks! I just emailed them that I'm not coming back.

[CurtEastPoint]

14. NPR interview Wed & Thurs: CEO "compares the government's health care overhaul to "fascism"

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/01/16/169413848/whole-foods-founder-john-mackey-on-fascism-and-conscious-capitalism

[valerief]

17. What a total asswipe! Never been to Whole Foods, never will. nt

[CurtEastPoint]

18. Fill this out and tell them what you thing of Mr. CEO

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/customer-service

[patrice]

20. Done & here's the message that I sent to Whole Foods:

I am personally insulted by your corporation's comments about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare, being fascism. I can assure you that I will not shop in any of your stores ever again and I will find every opportunity that I can to share my feelings about YOUR economic facism with my family & friends. You should know that I'm quite good at that, making small remarks here and there. I could tell you several stories about ORDINARY people, who don't shop at grocery botiques, ordinary people with a distinct Republican cast to them here in my "red" state, ordinary people who despite political "differences" clearly express their desire to see this great country of ours make a commitment to being ONE nation by investing in ourselves and one another through authentic health care for everyone. I am very happy today to see this issue return to the legislative calendar in the House of Representatives; you can be assured that that fact will result in a great deal of discussion of who actually supports and is committed to America and her people and who, like Whole Foods, does NOT.

[southern_belle]

25. +1 Thank You

Mine wasn't as long, but I did send in my email too!

[Plucketeer]

29. I sent essentially the same message

If we don't speak up, WE are the ones to blame!

[patrice]

34. I really do make it a point to talk in a friendly way about the issues with just about anyone

whenever a small opportunity presents itself to do so. The attitude about health care is not as the media portrays it. They are only talking to the nut cases. I DO live in a very red state and people WANT more and better health care here for themselves and for their entire families, elders, young marrieds, students. This is a FAMILY issue not a political one, no matter what the media says.

[BuddhaGirl]

68. Great letter!!

[patrice]

75. Thank you, BuddhaGirl. From your screen-name, I imagine you know that we must LIVE this stuff.

[BuddhaGirl]

119. Indeed!!

[riqster]

21. My email to them was short and not sweet.

I simply wished them luck in trying to sell their hippie-lite schtick to a demographic comprised of right-wingers and fundagelicals.

[Bigredhunk]

73. Awesome!

Good luck getting these tightwad conservatives to spend money at your shop. "These apples are a dollar a piece!!"

[Squinch]

82. Ooooohh. I have a crush on you now!

I'm going to steal that.

[riqster]

83. Thanks, and feel free to use it.

[LeftInTX]

22. Whole Foods is extremely overpriced

[longship]

23. Try "Trader Joes"

At least they have Two Buck Chuck, CA wine, $2 a bottle.

And also a lotta other good stuff. Prices are good, service is excellent.

[tiredtoo]

31. Musta been a while since you've been to Trader Joes

2 buck chuck is now 3 buck chuck. But it is still good wine.

[longship]

35. Yup, it's been a while.

Moved from CA to MI six years ago.

But I imagine Trader Joes is still a great place to shop for yummy food.

[unapatriciated]

90. I believe it is still 2 bucks in California.

2.79 to 3.00 due to higher liquor taxes and transportation cost. In California they buy direct from the winery with no involvement by a third party for delivery. In other states (due to state liquor laws) you have to involve a distributor for delivery, hence the higher price.

[noiretextatique]

99. i was just in Trader Joe's in Berkeley a few minutes ago

1.99 for 2 buck chuck.

[unapatriciated]

116. I have not been to Cali in two years but thought it was still 1.99.

In the south it is 2.79 due to liquor taxes and transportation cost.
Thanks for the confirmation and I really miss Cali will take a trip home this summer.

[DollarBillHines]

128. It went to $2.49 in CA, just this week eom

[unapatriciated]

129. yep heard it was going up yesterday at work.

Craig will need to change the lyrics in this song

[DollarBillHines]

130. If you are a Two Buck Chucker

Whole Foods has a very drinkable plonk for $1.99.

They brand it as "Three Wishes" and it is actually drinkable. There is a Chard, a Merlot, and a Cab.

I am fortunate to be exposed to some really fine wines (I live in Wine Country)...

But I drink the Three Wishes merlot like beer.

[unapatriciated]

131. thanks but I don't really care for Charles Shaw.

Tj's has a lot of great wines between five and six bucks. The Moons and Fins are fantastic wines. I don't shop at whole foods, their CEO is not keen on health care for his employees and he is a bit of RWinger.

I work at TJ's and I too am fortunate to be exposed to many fine wines. I'm also originally from California (lived there over forty years) and spent a lot of time in wine country. I envy you to be living in such a beautiful area.

[Rain Mcloud]

27. Lucky for me there is a local farmers market

with fresh meat and produce grown and raised and slaughtered by native american farmers less than 3 miles away.
I swear,there is nothing to compare to the taste of love,sunshine and fellowship.
It supports the community and makes us all stronger.

[AlecBGreen]

36. awesome!

thank you for patronizing small farmers! there is a food revolution going on right now and you vote with your dollars every time you shop.

[RoccoR5955]

28. Support your local Co-Op.

They go by a different business model than the typical capitalistic dictatorship.
If there's not a co-op near you, then start one.
All you need is a few people, and you can start a buying club. After time, it will grow, as more people join, you can even get a storefront, and have a regular store.
Co-ops are democratic, these other businesses are just dictatorships.

[geardaddy]

59. +1000

Co-ops are the best.

[NEOBuckeye]

30. I just told them where to shove it in so many words on the customer form

Doubt if John Mackey will ever see it, but the sentiment is registered all the same. They'll never see another dime from me as long as he's in charge.

[MNBrewer]

32. Yep. Won't do business with a company whose CEO thinks the ACA is "fascism"

[tiredtoo]

33. also sent email to their site.

Told them i would not be shopping there anymore, course i have never shopped there so it will not hurt their bottom line.

[TxDemChem]

37. I'll be boycotting them as well

Another store on my shit list

[calimary]

39. Welcome to DU, TxDemChem!

Glad you're here! It always disappoints me so much to see how many assholes control so much. But it's good to know. The more we know, the better we're able to fight these bastards.

[TxDemChem]

110. Thanks for having me

And knowledge is definitely power. Whole Foods caused the closure of a couple of stores around my job. I think I may even be able to get about half of our employees to boycott them as we'll .

[calimary]

38. Welcome to DU, Always Randy!

Glad you're here! Thanks for contributing this. Knowledge is power. Purchasing power.

[Odin2005]

41. We just got a CostCo here in Fargo.

It's my new favorite store!

[mucifer]

42. A pro ACA store!

[Comrade_McKenzie]

43. Organic foods is one of the greatest marketing frauds ever perpetrated on the American people. nt

[kurtzapril4]

86. How is it a fraud? n/t

[cui bono]

106. How? Plus, Whole Foods isn't an organic store. That's why I don't shop there.

I buy almost all organic foods. I don't want to ingest GMO and pesticide tainted foods and also don't want to be a pesticide enabler for environmental purposes.

So what makes you think it's fraudulent?

[TexasBushwhacker]

123. WF never claimed to be 100% organic

They offer organic products when they can source them and they are up the WF quality standards and a price that they can sell at a profit. If they can't find organic lemons one week, for example, most people would be PO'd if they had to make a trip to another store just to buy regular lemons. So sometimes they will only have conventional lemons. As for GMO's, they believe in labeling. Unfortunately in the US over 90% of soybeans and almost 90% of corn is GMO, so if Whole Food certified itself as 100% Organic and GMO free, not only would their selection of soymilk be small and expensive, it would affect the selection and price of cereals and meats. They believe customers should be able to make an informed choice.

Even though they are not 100% organic, they are all natural in that they do not allow any artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners as well as many other artificial ingredients.

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/about-our-products/quality-standards/unacceptable-ingredients-food

[jerseyjack]

44. The guy is fukin' right.

If you look at the economic definition of fascism, ACA is fascism. The insurance companies won on this one. The people didn't.

[SunSeeker]

46. Your concern is duly noted.

[Ikonoklast]

56. Are public utilities that have a monopoly and are highly regulated also 'fascism'?

The ACA has turned health insurance providers into a publicly regulated commodity.

[formercia]

85. Enjoy your stay.

[SunSeeker]

45. K&R

[ReallyIAmAnOptimist]

47. I stopped shopping there when the CEO came out against the Affordable

Care Act/health care reform in 2008.

[SpartanDem]

49. They were very vocal in their anti-ACA views in 09

so I haven't shopped at the place in years.

[Sunlei]

50. wars of the grocery stores these days, not enough business for all. huge nitch for fedex fresh foods

Around here the best place is HEB, they hire a lot of the locals and treat their employees well. Good quality foods and extra good "in store prepared foods."

[riverbendviewgal]

57. i sent an Email to the head office.

Told them I won't shop there any more. I shopped there when I visited my son In Toronto. He mainly shopped there. Now he lives in England. Everyone in canada has health care but I will still boycott them.

[MellonCollie11]

65. Please post contact info so we can bombard them with complaints

[MellonCollie11]

62. Show whacko McKay the power of the purse..boycott & spread the word!

[peace frog]

100. Abso-damn-lutely

McKay will get his kick in the s$$ when sales take a nosedive. Just ask Papa John's, Darden restaurants, etc...

[JDPriestly]

63. I want my doctors, my dentists and anyone who touches my food to have healthcare.

I don't want someone with contagious hepatitis or similar infectious diseases handling what I put in my mouth.

That a person who supposedly runs a "health food" store doesn't think about the health of his employees makes me wonder about his motives are in running the store.

Health care costs a lot of money. But that cost should be viewed as a part of the cost of being in the food business.

That goes for food processing at all levels from farm to table. I wash my hands before I cook. I go to the doctor if I have a problem. I wear gloves when appropriate. I store food in clean conditions. I expect a grocer to require his employees to wash their hands before they handle food and to have regular medical check-ups.

Whole Foods' view on the health care of its employees is inconsistent with its professed concern about the healthfulness of the food it sells.

I don't want to single Whole Foods out on this issue. The lack of concern about the health of employees may be true of other grocery stores. I don't know, but it is shocking. The lack of concern about hygiene at the level of those who pick and process our food and the use of certain pesticides and herbicides is also pretty troubling.

Our food producers should take the responsibility to provide food that doesn't poison us. I'm shocked by the attitude expressed by this CEO.

[TexasBushwhacker]

125. Whole Foods DOES provide health insurance for its employees

Mackey leans libertarian so he believes in minimal government involvement in business in all realms. Whole Foods has provided good health insurance for a long time, BY CHOICE, because it's the right thing to do and it attracts the best employees.

[JDPriestly]

134. If Whole Foods already provides good health care for its employees (and I am delighted

to hear that), then complaining about the law is a rather silly ideological stance that makes no sense. Seems to me that if providing health care for its employees is important to Whole Foods, it should want all people who work with food to have good health care. If it is important to Whole Foods' employees, it is important for everyone. And this law means everyone or closer to everyone that is not now covered will be. We require people who drive cars to get insurance. Why not require people who handle our food to be insured?

And while we are at it, why don't we require that person next to us on the plane who is breathing in and out the same air we are, to be insured? Makes sense to me. We do have laws that require children to be immunized before they enter school. That has improved our children's health. Sickness costs lives and money. Let's prevent it if we can. Isn't that what Whole Foods is about? Helping to improve the health of Americans with good, healthy food?

[TexasBushwhacker]

135. He has backtracked and now says he prefers a system like Switzerland

That's fine and dandy, and Obamacare has some similarities to the Swiss system. However, in the Swiss system everyone buys their own health insurance directly (no employers) and the poor get assistance from the government. The government regulates the quality and cost of the health insurance. Switzerland has fewer poor people, so this system is perhaps more workable for them. Even though their system still relies on private health insurance, they spend $3800 per capita for healthcare and live 4 years longer, compared to our $5700.

[JDPriestly]

136. The big problem in the US is that our health insurance companies are for the most part

for profit. No one should profit from the delivery of healthcare.

[TexasBushwhacker]

137. No argument from me n/t

[MellonCollie11]

64. This store is a total sham

Caring about health...using the word health in its name is a bush itch tactic..just a hypocritical mind screw. Time to double down and reinstate the existing boycott and expose mr McKays underbelly.

[riverbendviewgal]

66. here is the link to write to whole foods customer service

Please write to WWW.wholefoodsmarket.com/customer-service

you can put in your state and local store. I chose company policy as to what I was writing about.

[Debau2005]

74. Done

Thanks!

[Smilo]

76. I researched McKay a couple of years

back and did not like what I read.

WF is very expensive - you can buy everything they have elsewhere at a less expense.

[condoleeza]

78. What about Winco?

Winco is employee owned and has a good selection of organic produce as well as quality products of all types. I shop at Costco and TJ's as well, but Winco is my go to store. I'm closer to Whole Foods and have only been in there once since they took over Wild Oats. Ridiculously expensive and now politically f'd up.

[TheOther95Percent]

79. I don't shop there

My husband and I fortunately live in NYC and have other less expensive options for finding organic foodstuffs.

[klook]

81. Seduction Bread recipe

This is the one thing I really want from Whole Foods (delicious bread!), but can live without, knowing what an asshole the CEO is.

Here's a recipe for Seduction Bread, which I'll be trying.

One commenter, "mhowell," says:

I made this using the original recipe above and it was ok, but didn't think it was close to the seeduction bread at whole foods, so I experimented to get closer. The final product was nearly exactly like whole foods. The ingredients are the same, but I changed the measurements and made one substitution. - 1 teaspoon of molasses NOT 2 tablespoons, the bread is way too dark with the original amount and made the crust a bit bitter. - Increase the honey to 4 tablespoons - Increase pumpkin, sunflower, and millet seeds to 4 tablespoons each - Increase the gluten to 2 tablespoons, this really firmed up the bread and made it less "cakey" - I also substituted the 3 tablespoons of malted barley flour with Bob's Red Mill 10 grain cereal.

[politrixjunkie]

88. Now he's taking it back - kinda

Whole Foods founder and CEO John Mackey says he regrets comparing Obamacare to "fascism," but remains critical of the president's health care reform law.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/17/whole-foods-fascism_n_2496603.html

[Zoeisright]

92. Whole Foods has been the cause of two major

food poisoning outbreaks in the last year. One in peanut butter and the other in cheese.

I wouldn't go into that store if someone paid me.

[mucifer]

109. They had a Chicago store that got closed down for rats.

They did a bunch of work on the building. But, still the building didn't pass the health code because of rats. They opened a new store a few blocks away.

[lexw]

93. We only go to Whole Foods if we can't find an exotic item anywhere else, or to spoil ourselves...

We can definitely live without Whole Foods—and plan on it after reading this post.

[johnsolaris]

98. adios vitamin cards

Hi,

Whole foods had a Vitamin card program, but no more. It ended on the New Year. You had a vitamin card & it was marked after every vitamin purchase for points & then you received credit when it was filled up & I would get a free bottle of vitamins.

Now that program is over I will just go to the Vitamin Shoppe store where they still have that type of program. I will do some research however to find out whom owns the company.

Too bad whole foods has joined the Right wingers, it was a nice place.

[noiretextatique]

101. stopped shopping there when i found out about the CEO

whole paycheck can suck it. i am surprised so many people in Berkeley still shop there, but I am not one of them.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

102. Whole foods is very expensive

[99th_Monkey]

104. I've always hated Whole Foods

something in the vibe has always bothered me, and that
they are over-priced, compared to some other good organic
chains like New Seasons.

my first time in a WF, I went in for a salad bar on the
run, between meetings ... I didn't think my portions were
all that much, but got charged like $8.50 and thought
"hell, I could have almost gone to a restaurant for that.

[cui bono]

105. I already don't shop there.

They tout themselves as a healthy store but I sure have a hard time finding any organic produce in there.

[dkhbrit]

118. Seems he's doing a complete 180 now

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/whole-foods-mackey-says-employees-050100422.html;_ylt=AmQQ9k5ZMuNYExwyaOrz3heiuYdG;_ylu=X3oDMTRwdmJpaTQ0BG1pdANGaW5hbmNlIEZQIFRvcCBTdG9yaWVzIG1peGVkIGxpc3QEcGtnAzNmYjEwODkxLWE5MDctMzU1ZS05MjZlLWI4MGU0ZWRiOGUyOARwb3MDMgRzZWMDTWVkaWFCTGlzdE1peGVkTFBDQVRlbXAEdmVyA2Q3MmU0YTMzLTYxNzEtMTFlMi1iM2M3LTllNDc2OGQ4NjA5MQ--;_ylg=X3oDMTFpNzk0NjhtBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25z;_ylv=3

[RebelOne]

122. Never shopped at Whole Foods and probably never will.

The closest Whole Foods is in Atlanta and I live about 25 miles from it and I do not like driving into Atlanta.

[CADEMOCRAT7]

124. We are done shopping there! n/t

[Lint Head]

126. I do not shop at AssWhole Foods.

[kestrel91316]

127. I only go there for things I can't find elsewhere. Haven't been there twice in the past 6 months.

When I shop I don't buy much, being limited by the car-free thing.

[mlauer59295]

139. Their products are rubbish anyway

I never liked them at all. Tasted horrid. The company's right wing practices only gives me more incentive to not purchase their crap anymore.