Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

i think that's clever, probably impractical, but cute!

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).

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 :)

Pizza and wings.

Buffalo wings, of course!

Seriously, I could make a list of everything that I love to eat and everything on that list would be too fattening, to high in cholesterol, to spicy, and so on. It is easy, like the folks who only eat orange food, etc, if I like it and want to eat it, it is absolutely forbidden, food-wise. I am not ill or anything, but, I have been slowly and steadily gaining weight for the past several years and I can see where the path is leading, so I am on the "Lupinea Diet", again, if I like it or if it sounds good to me, you cannot eat it, it is absolutely forbidden. I don't think I will become rich with my new "Lupinea Diet", don't you agree with me? Lupinea@aol.com

Succulent BBQ beef brisket on a bun
Thank you for the opportunity to win!

I love potato chips!

MUDBUGS! YEAH! BOILED CRAWFISH WITH CORN ON THE COB , TOMATOES & POTATOES IN A SPICY CRAB BOIL MIX.
YOU EAT THESE UNTIL YOUR FINGERS BLEED OR YOU CAN'T MOVE CAUSE YOU'RE TO FULL!

pizza

My family loves sweet and spicy meatballs.