Whole Foods Living Up To Its Promise?

[JohnL]

With the ongoing debate between Pollan and MacKey this Times piece by the inimitable Marion Burros will be of interest to many here.

I have long felt that the new religion of healthy eating and sustainable agriculture (an off shoot or sect if the "save the earth/environmental religion) presents some interesting problems for its proponents.

Organic is good but when organic is adapted to large scale operations like Earthbound farms and the benefits of economy of scale -- suddenly organic gives way to to the "holier" goals of small and sustainable.

While the high priests like Pollan fall all over themselves defining and explaining the quasi religious terminology: organic, small, sustainable, bio dynamic (we often forget that the original philosopher/holy man Rudoph Steiner came long before the Pollan's of the world), the acolytes like MacKey are struggling mightily to reconcile these beliefs with reality and commerce. "can we be large and economical and yet remain pure and ....."

I long for the days and beliefs of people like Eli Zabar and the Balducci's and Dean and Delucca and Citarella and the Lobels et al who simply tried to bring the best quality (read tasting) items at fair (and sometimes not so fair) prices to those of us who appreciate the best as well as all the artisans who produced these wonderful food items.

Times were simpler and the food was better (IMOP of course)

NY Times

[moosnsqrl]

I just received this from a regional food group. It's not specific to the article but it does speak to WF taking steps to 'do the right thing'.

Local Producer Loan Program

Whole Foods Market aims to:

• To work with local producers to expand the availability of quality, local, differentiated products for our customers

• Support the communities in which Whole Foods Market does business

• Strengthen the partnership between Whole Foods Market and local producers

• Reinforce the Whole Foods Market value of environmental sustainability

How:

• Loan up to $10 million annually to independent local producers

• Minimize fees, interest rates and paperwork

• Begin with a Pilot Program and refine the process over time

Eligibility:

• Must meet Whole Foods Market’s Quality Standards

• Use funds for expansion and capital expenditures, not operating expenses (e.g., buy more animals, invest in new equipment/infrastructure, or expand crops)

• All meat or dairy producers must meet Whole Foods Market’s Animal Compassionate standards

• Have adequate cash flow to service debt and a viable business plan

• An existing relationship with Whole Foods Market is a plus

Loan Terms:

• Loan amounts targeted between $1,000 and $50,000

• Loan amount not greater than 80% of total project cost

• Interest rate based on Prime Rate (currently 8.25%) with current range of 5% to 9%, fixed or variable with annual re-sets

• Term and repayment of loan tied to life of asset financed

• Whole Foods maintains first lien position on asset financed

• Monthly payments required after termination of any grace period

• No penalty for early repayment

• $65 processing fee to cover administrative expenses, including obtaining a credit report

• Approval and terms dependent primarily on risk assessment, type of product, and use of proceeds

• May require simultaneous execution of a purchase agreement

• Producer may apply for additional financing if initial loan in good standing after one year

Contacts:

For more information, please contact your Whole Foods Market Regional representatives: If you do not know your representative, please email lplp@wholefoods.com or call (512) 477-4455 for more information

[MarketStEl]

I just received this from a regional food group.  It's not specific to the article but it does speak to WF taking steps to 'do the right thing'.[....]

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No stores east of Troost, or north of 47th and west of State Line Road, right?

[LindsayAnn]

I read the whole article...on a few points that it addresses:

I shop at more than one food store, NOT because and one lets me down or anything. Its jsut that I like shopping, browsing, seeing the different strategies, etc...and from al this I now have certain things I like from each shop that their competitors don't do/have or don't do/have as well.

Surely, I like Whole Foods...the ones in Chi (there are about 5 in the city alone) do very well. I read something in the article about stores in DC and NY experiencing foods past their prime...I was shocked. NEVER happens to me in Chi...must be all about the store level management and inventory control tactics/procedures.....Yogurt a month past the use by date? Tomatoes that are wrinkley? Potatoes (baked and sweet) that are old? Gosh...I never expereicne these concerns and I am at whole foods average of 1-2 times a week.

I can only imagine the difficulites whole foods faces with local produce (meats from farmers, not huge businesses) and purchasing directly from the little guys...

But - they are trying, and in many areas suceeding. Many companies grow....they have grown due to their response from US. Popularity usually causes growth...and with that comes the challenges of maintaining their original vision/mission....just continue to let htem know that it matters and that we care....like I said - at least they are trying, more than many stores can attest to. keep on giving them your opinion and advice....if enough of it comes in they will be forced to respond....like they have been as of the late....