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Cocina Savant
http://cocinasavant.blogspot.com/
Avid husband and wife cooking team exploring new ideas and twists on traditional cooking form different cultures.

My 2 cents about all the people who mentioned high employee wages as a factor in the WF costs- my sister worked at WF for a long time, and she would regularly run in to coworkers doing her shopping at the inexpensive grocery store across the street. They may pay more than your average grocery store, but it's still not enough for the line-level employees to be able to afford to shop there!

Its been a while since this thread has been refreshed, but I would just like to add my two cents...

While reading many of the previous posts to the OP, I noticed that people were comparing Whole Foods to other grocers like Wegermans, TJ's, Fresh Market, etc. IMO, these are all "high-end" grocery stores: Grocers that offer high-quality artisan products and an aesthetically pleasing decor. In a nutshell, they are selling more than just groceries: they are selling a shopping experience. The classical music, the distinct aromas in the store, helpful staff, samples.... In business, this is called "branding". I think we all recognize, know (and love!) the Whole Foods brand, just as by comparison we know and recognize the Wal-mart brand as well.

But when you compare two high-end grocer's to one another, I would say its more of an apples-to-apples comparison than, say, comparing any one of those high-end grocers to a Safeway or Albertson's. Prices between grocers like New Seasons, Wild Oats, or Whole Foods are all going to be roughly the same because they all are targeting the same demographic with similar brands.

I think the reason some people are offended by Whole Foods is that they already are used to the prices at their "go-to" grocers. Like many people have said, items (even "staple" items) are typically 2-3 times more expensive than other grocers, and some people have a hard time justifying why anyone in their right mind would want to spend that much money on, for example, pasta or flour .... even if their is a good reason for it (organic, free-trade, sustainable, local, etc.).

Now, I love places like Whole Foods: Like many have said, they offer high-quality products, many of them organic, and a lot of stuff that I just can't find anywhere else. (I have recently read "The Omnivore's Dilemma", and it has really gotten me thinking about the health benefits of buying organic .... There really is a big difference, and not just in taste!). I was never a big "cheese" person, but I am always impressed by their charcuterie, and beer and wine selection.

The problem is that I just can't afford to do all of my shopping there. I would love if I could buy all of my groceries there, because I do see the difference in quality that these kinds of stores offer. But when balancing the checkbook with things I need to buy and things I would like to buy, I wish I could say groceries were a higher priority for me. When I grocery shop, I still tend to buy mostly staples: bulk items, produce, meat, etc. I try and not to buy any processed or frozen foods, limited canned or packaged items .... this has helped me stretch my food budget. But when even staple items are usually 3-4 times more expensive than my local WinCo, its hard to justify the expenses, ESPECIALLY now that "times are tough" (or so I'm told by the news everyday).

Lovely pork,
Alighting on my fork,
Riding on my thighs,
Delightful to my eyes.

Beautiful to eat,
Obsession, for such, bacon can't be beat;
X-ceptional among all foods,

But, sadly, doesn't go well in booze.
Eeesh, seriously, have you tried a bacon-tini?

Makes your belly go all squeamy.
In that one gustatory arena, pork you fail.
Never fear my dear, 'tis no travail,
Easily, I could consume you by the pail.

Here is a noble creature
One which sizzles in my dreams
Greased with effusions sweet
Hebrews this treat eschew
E'en while their nostrils quiver
As they smell the bacon left for ME to eat
Very soon I'll be at the stove
Enter the mighty hog
Now into my belly, King of meat!

On days that end in Y
Happiness is found in a meal with some

Meat
Yet only one type will do

Preferably crispy
Invariably heavenly
Ginormous heaps of bacon!

*The Double Porcine Valentine Acrostic*

Pigs and poetry go together like maples and sweet saP
Oh flowing bacon desire, my heart is now indigO
Rations are low and I cannot wait one more houR
Couldn’t I run over to the market for a bacon section froliC
It would be a stealthy ordeal and I’d find a willing alibI
Not some fat phobic bacon-hating buffooN
Eating all things vegetablE

Various porcine gifts are SE’s Valentine’s Day leitmotiV
Always a creative challenge on Ed Levine’s agendA
Losing again and again makes my mood most abysmaL
Edible happiness is what you graciously givE
No silly white elephants does one ever wiN
To lose every SE contest I’ve entered is such a tormenT
Insane will I go without the piggy prize, like a paintless Salvador DalI
Never a quitter, I’m putting my entry iN
Effete is so much poetry – but for bacon -- I’ll attempt this mad exercisE

Hunger without end
A shoulder glance awakes lust
Moist tender drippings

Piggy my pudgy pal
Into my mouth
Greasy goodness
Gives me happiness and joy
Yummy porkalicious critter!

Hey---some salt-cured haiku!

Ethereal pork
A lover's tryst in my mouth
Trouble not thy mind

Precocious piggy
Ingested by me and mine
Gone to greener fields

Newly imported ham
Only fed upon acorns
Why so expensive?!

Pan-fried
Oven-baked
Rotisserie
Knowing how good it will taste, regardless of preparation; Pork rules!

Whole Foods is more expensive for me because as soon as I hit the produce section I see abut twenty different things that I don't need but sure would like and after I finish loading up my cart with more food than my family could eat in a week I still have to go to the other market to get cat food and cleanser (I can justify spending extra for me but my cat is such a picky eater I end up throwing out half her food after he decides it's time to move on to something else)

I actually just went to Whole Foods today to find out the same thing. I usually shop at Winn Dixie (cheap southern grocery store chain) I have 3 people to feed total and cook about 4 meals a week plus snacks and lunches. We typically eat pretty healthy and I was getting tired of the lousy produce / meat selection at WD. I generraly spend 105 - 130 each week at the store depneding on what I need. I spent $107 at Whole Foods. I even bought a lb of Wild Salmon for 14.00 Pretty pricy! I did buy a lot of 365 products. Thats Whole Food generic brand, just as good though. I bought garbage bags, body wash and light bulbs too and still didnt break the bank. I also stayed away from the specialty items and just bought what I needed.

I think Whole Foods is totally doable for a family whos on a budget if you follow these 3 things:

1. Dont go hungry! Too many tempting goodies.
2. Make a list beforehand and STICK TO IT!! Stay away from any unnessecary specialty items.
3. If you cook out of a bag or box a lot this may not be the place for you, That kinda of stuff always costs more. Stick to fresh veggies, fruits, meat/fish and save more money.

Hope that helps anyone considering a trip to Whole Foods :)