Whole Foods Market Shopping Tips

How to Shop at Whole Foods Market

The merger of Whole Foods Market with Wild Oats highlights the benefits and drawbacks of this organic retail giant. Although Whole Foods Market certainly provides a "feel good" shopping experience for millions of consumers, it's important to keep in mind that WFM isn't nearly as green as it pretends to be. But of course, for many consumers, Whole Foods Market offers the only access for green and organic products. If Whole Foods Market is the only option available in your area, here are some important tips for the organic-minded shopper:

Tips For Shopping At Whole Foods Market

• Look for locally grown produce: Whole Foods offers only a limited supply of local produce, although it is well labeled. Reduce the burden of long-distance food transportant on the planet by asking your WFM produce manager to stock more local produce.
  
  
• Not everything is as "natural" or "organic" as you might think: Although Whole Foods doesn't carry products with trans fats or artificial coloring, everything else is fair game, including MSG and rBGH, so being a vigilant label reader is still a necessity. Look for the USDA organic label.
  
  
• Whole Foods has taken the position that unions aren't valid. It is the second largest union-free food retailer, right behind Wal-Mart. Don't assume the employees are all adequately trained in understanding how to distinguish between products that are and are not truly organic and natural.
  
  
• The OCA always recommends supporting your locally owned food co-op, farmer's market, CSA or independently-owned natural food store, first and foremost, (search for resources near you in OCA's "Local Buying Guide" here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/btc/BuyingGuide.cfm)
  

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Rob's Note: employees at Whole foods indeed, DO NOT know a lot about the products they carry. One of my clients went to Whole Foods Market to purchase Kamut flour. "Doesn't exist" they were told. It most certainly does exsist. In my opinion Whole Foods Market is just another brand. A local business I used to shop at here locally in Edmonton, had the policy of "no artificial sweeteners and no GMO products" would enter their store. After building thier brand for several years, The Big Fresh was purchased by Planet Organic.

Its tough to say this, but it seems that no matter where you shop, no matter how green they say they are or how green you think they look, you have to read labels.

I should say "indeed, there seem to be employees" at Whole Foods Market who do not know a lot about the products they carry rather than lumping in those who work there who are indeed passionate about, well, whole foods.

source: Organic Consumers

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[Source: Former Fat Guy - Weight Loss Blog]