On Tuesdays they offered discounts to college students and Senior Citizens.

When it changed to Whole Foods, that was the first thing they did away with!

Say what?

It was soooo cute. On Tuesdays, my son and his gf would go there along with the older people.

Now, it is dead on Tuesdays.

Personally, I thought it was a terrible terrible thing to do. Those groups hesitate to shop there due to restricted finances and it gave them a way to buy healthy food and something to really look forward to. To me, it seems to show poor judgment financially and lack of integrity…one should give back to their community

Whole Foods is the biggest joke I have ever seen. I used to manage an independent natural food store in Vermont (where thankfully, no Whole Foods are allowed) and we had over 95% organic produce YEAR ROUND. There is absolutely NO REASON why Whole Foods in California (the largest supplier of organic produce in this country) can’t have more organic produce. It’s disgusting how they label things “Natural Oranges” or “Local Tomatoes” Local? Really? Then why can’t the produce worker tell me what town or farm they are from? “Natural” does not mean organic. The signs are so misleading that a lot people mistakingly assume they are purchasing organic products.

Also, as a former manager of a small natural food store, I know the wholesale cost of product and the mark-up. What Whole Foods charges is insane! Sadly, many people think that “organic or natural or eco-friendly” has to be outrageously expensive because of the prices at Whole Foods.

I’ve complained multiple times about the lack of organic produce selection and never received any responses. I also complained about how they bag produce at the check-out and now bag everything myself (which I don’t have a problem with in the first place but when I have a big order, it’s nice to have help). I have spent tons of money on overpriced organic pears, apples, mangos, peaches, nectarines, salad greens ect. only to watch them toss or roll it down the check out belt and then carelessly drop it into bags. FRUIT BRUISES people! Yes, even salad greens will bruise and wilt if you decide to place heavy jars of peanut butter or cans of black beans on top of them. It’s not the baggers fault, it’s clearly management and lack of training.

I’ve rambled on enough but I just wanted to let my fellow LA shoppers know there are MANY other choices than Whole Paycheck. Go to your local farmer’s market for fresh produce, flowers, nuts, milk or eggs. Support your local ethnic groceries for hard to find ingredients. Support your local co-op or independent natural food store for speciality items.

End of rant.

WF is such a rip off!

I’m sure each store is very different, even just within Colorado. But you can’t put each store into the same category by saying the they ALL use bad ingredients or substandard procedures just because you yourself had a bad experience.

I know our store has a beautiful prep foods dept. and good pastries, although I’ve had some foods that I personally don’t like at all. The good thing about Whole Foods is that if you complain about something, even if you spent however much money, they WILL refund your purchase with no questions asked (or you just don’t need to answer). That is their policy. As an ex employee I have returned items I didn’t like and always got a refund.

Although it is a place focusing on health and organics and natural food, the demend for non-organix food is just as high because there are specialty items at the store. The look of the store, the employee benefits, and the AMOUNT of employees tehre to help you also drive prices up. Go to a Safeway and try to get the same service, you usually won’t, and I often get nearly ran over by someone cleaning the floors who won’t make eye contact with you at Safeway.

Point is, each store differs. Each store’s employees differ, and if you have a complaint you need to tell them about it and get a refund. It’s worth it.