Whole Foods Market

joshperson195
joshperson195 Posts: 819 Member
edited December 2 in Food and Nutrition
Overrated. Overpriced. Over it! I only purchase select products that are WF exclusive (Halo Top ice cream, etc.), but I REFUSE to pay $x.xx for a bag of chips or roll of paper towels that I could easily find at any other retailer.
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Replies

  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    edited July 2016
    12 oz of frozen raspberries are $2.99 at Whole Foods, and $2.99 at Trader Joe's. The WF is a shorter walk from my apartment. Fresh produce is usually better there than from other grocery stores around here.

    EDIT: I think you can order Halo Top iced cream online and have it delivered?
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  • Shana67
    Shana67 Posts: 680 Member
    What I love at WF are the super high calorie home made tortilla chips. Also, we usually go there for the breakfast sandwiches on Sunday before church (WF is *right next door* to our church).

    We go to TJs for everything else, because - TJs :)
  • shinycrazy
    shinycrazy Posts: 1,081 Member
    I can get Halo Top at Kroger.. I'm guessing it's not available at other groceries in your area?
  • 100df
    100df Posts: 668 Member
    If we had one nearby I would shop there in the winter as their produce section is superior to my regular grocery store. I would probably buy meat there too as it tastes better. Trader Joes is too far too. Sigh. Sometimes I dislike living in the middle of nowhere.
  • WinoGelato
    WinoGelato Posts: 13,454 Member
    zyxst wrote: »
    What's the debate?

    This is what I was wondering, what we were supposed to be debating?

    Also, pretty sure Halo Top is not WF exclusive. They sell it at my neighborhood grocery store.
  • zamphir66
    zamphir66 Posts: 582 Member
    edited July 2016
    zyxst wrote: »
    What's the debate?

    I may be able to help out here.

    Where I use to live, we had a Good Foods Market nearby -- which is a local clone of Whole Foods. I shopped there once and paid $40+ for a single paper bag of produce and such. It was mind boggling.

    I think most reasonable people would agree that making more sustainable choices is a *good* thing. But when corporations turn that choice into a brand -- and one that people lower on the economic ladder simply cannot afford -- that seems to in some ways defeat the purpose.

    To Clarify: We get a lot of messages about sustainability. But when one cannot afford to shop at WF, or lives in a food desert, the right choices then become a status symbol.

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    WinoGelato wrote: »
    zyxst wrote: »
    What's the debate?

    This is what I was wondering, what we were supposed to be debating?

    Also, pretty sure Halo Top is not WF exclusive. They sell it at my neighborhood grocery store.

    I have seen Halo Top at my local grocery store too.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    edited July 2016
    I'm walking distance from a Jewel (mainstream grocery), two WFs, and a TJs. I actually buy the majority of my meat from a farm (there's also an excellent local meat market, although I rarely have reason to go there), my produce from a CSA or green market during the season, and occasionally fish from a fish market I like, so I have a plethora of grocery stores for not that much grocery shopping. But still I shop at WF, Jewel, and TJs all for various things depending on what I want. WF is overpriced on lots of things, but not everything, and it has it's good qualities, so I include it in my rotation.

    I don't feel like there is much to debate about here.
  • Wicked_Seraph
    Wicked_Seraph Posts: 388 Member
    What's the debate? Are you expecting someone to come rushing in screaming NOOOOO WHOLE FOODS 5EVER!!!!

    I like Whole Food's selection on some things, but I would never make it my primary store. There are some things I like at Nature's Food Patch (local store). A TJ's just opened in my area - it's 15 miles away but I was very pleasantly surprised by their selection and their prices.

    Every store has their pluses and minuses. I think we can agree on that :wink:
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
    I've never had a problem with their pricing, but I also refuse to shop there. If someone wants to pay ridiculous prices for somrthing because it gives them better feels, more power to them.

    Everything we do in life ultimately boils down to "better feels."
  • urloved33
    urloved33 Posts: 3,323 Member
    >:) pricey for no real reason but...status I think
  • Gallowmere1984
    Gallowmere1984 Posts: 6,626 Member
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    Gallowmere1984 wrote: »
    I've never had a problem with their pricing, but I also refuse to shop there. If someone wants to pay ridiculous prices for somrthing because it gives them better feels, more power to them.

    Everything we do in life ultimately boils down to "better feels."

    Fair enough. Though, I'd posit that what defines "better" is extremely arbitrary, and will vary not only from person to person, but moment to moment. Hell, the entire weight loss topic hinges on that fact.
  • st476
    st476 Posts: 357 Member
    I just went there for the first time a couple days ago and it really is way overpriced. I just went for ice cream too, but I ended up buying some ice cream cones and a frozen personal pizza. I spent $22. I feel like that's crazy, considering I spend $50 for my groceries for the entire week. Half that amount just for some ice cream, a personal pizza and ice cream cones is insane. They do have a lot of things that other grocery stores don't have though, which I like. I wouldn't do my grocery shopping there though
  • ForecasterJason
    ForecasterJason Posts: 2,577 Member
    I think of a lot the items there are overpriced. However, I would consider some items there to be higher quality than comparative items in a regular grocery store.
  • socalrunner59
    socalrunner59 Posts: 149 Member
    Im with you--so done with Whole Foods. I'm really hating WF produce. It's a crock that their produce is better. This spring alone I wasted money on mangos, pears, grapes, tomatoes, blueberries, and beets that were either tasteless, mealy, brown or rotten inside.

    A few months ago I bought a juicer because WF charges anywhere from $6-$10 for juices.

    Since I'm in the wine country, there's plenty of farmers markets; not any cheaper, but way better in quality than WF. We're fortunate to have a local independent grocery store in town that carries exceptional produce, cheeses, seafood and meats. Most everything at a better price than WF. We simply don't need WF around here.
  • dana7dana7
    dana7dana7 Posts: 13 Member
    I go for select produce salmon and the deserts!!!!!!! Omg the mini cheesecakes!!!
  • JenSD6
    JenSD6 Posts: 454 Member
    A new WF just opened up down the street from where I work, so I pop in occasionally for things I can't get anywhere else or I happen to know is cheaper at WF than my local natural market (who I'd rather support). But I do love many of the WF bakery items.
  • AskTracyAnnK28
    AskTracyAnnK28 Posts: 2,817 Member
    I like their prepared foods section and their bakery, and I find their 365 Organic brand to be cheaper than Stop & Shops own brand. But most of their other stuff is really over-priced. I'm a big fan of Amy's Organic and they have a huge selection of Amy's products, but at a much higher price than Stop & Shop or Shop Rite :(
  • shinycrazy
    shinycrazy Posts: 1,081 Member
    I live in Cincinnati, which is Kroger country. Other grocery stores have trouble competing. I do have a local place called Jungle Jim's that has all the international food you could possibly handle and an amazing produce section. We alternate between Kroger and Jungle Jim's each week because there are some items only available at one or the other. There is a WFM 40 minutes away across town, went there once when my husband was interviewing for a butcher position, and I marveled at the luxury of all food. I didn't buy anything through. We are getting a Fresh Thyme near me soon that is supposed to be very good and from their ads they seem like they have a farmer's market angle.
  • CipherZero
    CipherZero Posts: 1,418 Member
    Like all shopping, it's knowing your price points. Their bulk bins (oatmeal, for instance) are cheaper than buying pre-packaged off the shelf at the grocery store and has a better flavor. Their hot food bar is AMAZING, competitively priced, and tastes better than the local supermarkets.

    If you want the all-natural, free-range, fair-trade, gluten-free, NoGMO, organic goat's blood, brace yourself to pay a bomb.
  • jbee27
    jbee27 Posts: 356 Member
    CipherZero wrote: »
    Like all shopping, it's knowing your price points. Their bulk bins (oatmeal, for instance) are cheaper than buying pre-packaged off the shelf at the grocery store and has a better flavor. Their hot food bar is AMAZING, competitively priced, and tastes better than the local supermarkets.

    If you want the all-natural, free-range, fair-trade, gluten-free, NoGMO, organic goat's blood, brace yourself to pay a bomb.

    100%. People who complain about the expense aren't shopping smart, or just have different priorities than those who do. I'm not going to buy things like paper towels there.

    Whole Foods has consistently better produce, year round, than the generic grocery chain here (Pick N Save). It costs more, but it lasts longer, and tastes better. Also, I've found their meat and seafood employees are actually helpful and knowledgeable about their product, in contrast to other stores.

  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    jbee27 wrote: »
    CipherZero wrote: »
    Like all shopping, it's knowing your price points. Their bulk bins (oatmeal, for instance) are cheaper than buying pre-packaged off the shelf at the grocery store and has a better flavor. Their hot food bar is AMAZING, competitively priced, and tastes better than the local supermarkets.

    If you want the all-natural, free-range, fair-trade, gluten-free, NoGMO, organic goat's blood, brace yourself to pay a bomb.

    100%. People who complain about the expense aren't shopping smart, or just have different priorities than those who do. I'm not going to buy things like paper towels there.

    Whole Foods has consistently better produce, year round, than the generic grocery chain here (Pick N Save). It costs more, but it lasts longer, and tastes better. Also, I've found their meat and seafood employees are actually helpful and knowledgeable about their product, in contrast to other stores.

    Agree on the not shopping smart bit.

    In my area most locally available fruits and veg and commonly shipped in stuff (like cherries or bananas) are just as good if not better at any other store. On the other hand, specialty produce and seafood is always better at either Whole Foods or Central Market if you can even find it anywhere else. In some cases, Asian markets are the best choice there.

    Personally, if I'm shopping for best selection and quality (and feel it's worth it to pay some truly obnoxious prices) I'll go to Central Market. The cheese and charcuterie selection alone makes it worth it. Whole Foods is closest to me and most stuff I get there is no cheaper or is unavailable in the regular store so that's where I usually go. Kroger is for things like soda or Oreos, and Costco for anything it makes sense to buy in bulk - but I live alone in a fairly small house, so that isn't a whole lot of stuff.
  • ClubSilencio
    ClubSilencio Posts: 2,983 Member
    I go to Whole Foods for their heads of romaine, kale, chard, etc. They always have to widest selection and quality. I prefer organic for leafy greens. $2-3 bucks for a giant head is a steal for me.

    Has anyone tried their deli sandwiches?

  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    edited July 2016
    WF is one of those places you need to know what you are going there for and know what it should cost.

    I love their bulk bin section, I get grains, beans, and lentils. There actually aren't any other places near me that have bulk bins, certainly not with so many choices.
    They have an awesome collection of specialty ice creams and dark chocolate bars, which I would be paying more than I should for anyway!
    And I find they usually have a much better selection of loose greens than the regular grocery stores (not boxed or bagged) and the prices seem reasonable to me.

    For sure some of the stuff is overpriced or unnecessarily (or even dishonestly!) "organic" or "natural" or whatever other buzzword is in fashion. I would never use it as my main grocery store. But I'd be bummed if it wasn't there for the select items above.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    The best produce here is found in stands on the side of the highway. We grow a lot of cherries and nectarines and stuff east of the Cascades. You can't always predict where they'll be or when, selection is limited, they only take cash, but you'd be wise to pull over and get something because it'll be really good.

    Whole Foods has the next best produce around here, especially in the metro area. Easy to find, good selection, good quality stuff.

    I don't buy produce at Trader Joe's. It's almost always lackluster. Every time I buy fresh raspberries there, I get halfway through them and find moldy ones. :angry: :grimace: Sometimes it's a good place to get flowers for my girlfriend though.

    There are a few things that are less expensive at Whole Foods, most things cost less at TJ's. You figure out which things you should get from which store, and it's pretty easy.
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