Whole Foods: The bigger the worse?

Whole Foods Market of Austin,Texas, recently bought Greenlife Grocery’s two stores for about $15 million. When one reads the literature about Whole Foods, it is easy to lose count of the smaller, organic, green local food markets this $8 billion dollar, multinational corporation has bought out. I, for instance, didn't know that the $1 billion, 110-store Wild Oats Markets of Boulder, Co., now bears the Whole Foods banner.

So as to not being accused of a lack of fairness, Whole Foods Markets scores No. 3 on the EPA's Top Green Power list, just above the U.S. Air Force. Whole Foods is the largest seller of organic, natural, health food in the U.S. Despite my tone, this does not make Whole Foods bad. It just makes it big.

The behemoth that is Whole Foods has supplanted Greenlife, a two-store company that was probably a little more capable of more quickly responding to local consumer needs as well as providing local, fresh produce and hosting a place to better facilitate the sale of locally made products.

The thing I resonate with is what it tastes like. I ate at the breakfast bar yesterday and the three things that I put in my little biodegradable, compostable, recyclable take-out box tasted of chemicals, the kind of chemicals that are put into foods that are highly processed, packaged in non-compostable materials and heated up and can-served under a sign that reads “whole.” I don't know this to be true. I just know what it tasted like or, better yet, what it didn't taste like — the eggs, potatoes and sausage that I eat at home.

What is not in doubt for me is that Buy Local has gotten a little harder to find.

— Lance Hardcastle
Asheville

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Webmaster
Mountain Xpress Webmaster Follow me @MXWebTeam

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

5 thoughts on “Whole Foods: The bigger the worse?

  1. bill smith

    [i]What is not in doubt for me is that Buy Local has gotten a little harder to find.[/i]

    WNC is swarming with local farms, CSA’s and seasonal markets. “Local” has never been easier to find. Of course, one must leave the grocery store isle to find it. But that’s isn’t new.

  2. indy499

    At least Lance was honest in his piece when he stated, “I don’t know this to be true”. Me either, but I suspect it isn’t.

  3. Frankly the food bar at Greenlife has always looked icky to me. The couple of times I’ve purchased food from it, I’ve verified that not only does it look icky, it tastes icky.

    EarthFare’s salad/ prepared food bar in South Asheville, looks and tastes best….to me.

  4. Jon Elliston

    There is a response from Greenlife following this letter in the print edition of Xpress this week that’s worth having a look at.

Leave a Reply to Jon Elliston ×

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.