I don't shop at Whole Foods however I have been there once to meet a friend for lunch. The store looks super clean and inviting and the customers do appear to be those with money to burn, but I'm considering going organic so I may have to take a second look at to what Whole Foods can deliver without me spending my whole check. I suppose I just need to be a savvy shopper. Does anyone know if Whole Foods uses/ or issues their own coupons?
I shop at Whole Foods for the produce. We are vegetarian so I don't have to worry about their meat prices and produce quality is extremely important to me. We don't buy any processed food. 90% of what we eat is produce. The other 10% is some sort of grain, like bread, pasta, quinoa, rice, etc. We buy those items in bulk and make most of it from scratch. Shopping that way makes places like Whole Foods affordable. The flavor of their produce is leagues beyond other stores, even for conventional fruits and veggies. We are on a shoestring budget so we eat conventional and my 5 month old gets only organic, which is affordable for her at the moment. I'm willing to sacrifice organic for myself and my husband until we have our money situation under control, but I am not willing to sacrifice flavor and general quality. Whole Foods has amazing produce all around. As a side note, my husband used to work for Whole Foods and they treat their employees quite poorly. You have to have a 100% open and flexible schedule. You can barely request time off. My husband didn't even know if he was going to be approved for time off for our wedding until a week before and he was denied time for a honeymoon!!! Morning employees, especially those in prepared foods, are typically there by 6:30 am, and some even earlier. So, when you are shopping at Whole Foods be kind to the people helping you. Not that you shouldn't always be kind, but just some food for thought. As another side note, my husband said their kitchen and back room is spotless and sterile. I used a number of backroom bathrooms in grocery stores when I was pregnant (they were usually kind enough to let the pregnant lady go) and 90% of them were disgusting. So, that's another reason to shop at Whole Foods right there.
I have never been there, but have always wanted to visit. It seems to be the choice of market for all the cooking competion shows. The selection looks amazing! I would have guess it would have been pricey at the escalators that seem to be in the stores. I have heard the jokes "whole paycheck" and it does look to be out of my budget, but I would still like to visit, if just once.
Whole Foods isn't necessarily crazily expensive. When meat goes on sale it's around the price/lb I pay at the grocery store. Milk (I don't buy raw/organic/soy, just normal milk) is less than 10cents more per gallon. The 365 Brand has some good inexpensive items, but they won't always be organic/free range, so if you're shopping at WF for that reason you need to read labels.
I go there all the time to shop for different items. I buy all my seasonings, applecider vinegar, sugar, nuts, vegetables, eggs, teas, and quite a few other items. But I do not buy everthing there, of course, because the other items that I shop for are from a regular market. I do enjoy shopping there for certain items because they carry the freshest items I think, without chemicals.
This post has made me re-think my feelings about Whole Foods. I do admit that Whole Foods has the best choice of vegetables in my area including the farmers markets. I am switching to a vegan diet and I'm going to adopt your manner of shopping.
I guess it depends on where you live and whats available to you in your area. Whole Foods does have a good produce section, but where I live there are many other options, including farmers markets/stands and discount grocery stores that have competitive prices, if not lower prices. You could shop on the cheap there somewhat, if you stick with some of their own "365" branded items and vegetables, but when you go to get some grated parm and see it's like $9.50 when you can get it for like $6 at another store, it seems more like a hook.
Every once in a while when I have some extra cash I will go there and have some lunch in the cafe area and then buy some fresh stuff for dinner. They have really good pizza that you pop in the oven.
I love Whole Foods Have you noticed the price of food at other stores in recent years? Some places actually cost more than Whole Foods. If you did shop there regularly you would know about their sales and specials and everyday deals that make it possible for anyone who shops smart and wants to have healthy choices to be able to shop there. They also regularly give back to the communities in which they have stores.
I love Whole Foods. Their prepared foods are amazing. Their desserts look like something out of a fancy restaurant and their workers are very helpful. I purchase my fruit from Whole Foods. I also love their body and hair products. I've bought several great soaps, skincare and hair products from their body department. I also love that they are willing to give samples to pretty much anything made by 365. Their return policy is also great.
I prefer to shop at Trader Joes because it is cheaper. Whole Foods is so pricey and some of their employees are rude. I like Sprouts Farmers Market too. They are very affordable and have a lot of vitamins.
