Loading Profile...
I love how they just toss the leftover sushi.
Alex and I went to the ridiculously opulent whole foods in cupertino and these hypocrites just throw away the sushi that they don't sell before closing. And no longer are employees allowed to poach on it before it goes out to the trash. Whole Foods is an elaborate joke with wasteful practices, overpriced bean dip and medium grade cafeteria food being the punchline.
Lighten my bitter ass up and let me know if you've seen somewhere that does it better.
BTW: Why does the grocery need a dressing room?
Lighten my bitter ass up and let me know if you've seen somewhere that does it better.
BTW: Why does the grocery need a dressing room?
I’m cooking with fire
2
people have this problem
I have this problem, too!
Tell me when someone solves it.
The more people who report this problem, the more it gets noticed.
The more people who report this problem, the more it gets noticed.
Create a customer community for your own organization
Plans starting at $19/month
-
Inappropriate?As far as the sushi goes. Is it possible that they're not using the freshest of fish? I can't imagine how bad their sushi would taste after sitting over night.
I think most people have figure out that Whole Foods isn't the most eco friendly company out there. But hey... a yuppie's gotta eat.
I’m probably a yuppie too
-
Inappropriate?Yeah, I've heard of a lot places spraying tuna with carbon monoxide to maintain the bright color while the fish is still eatable. It wouldn't surprise me if that's a necessary cost cutting measure for them.3 Comments
Add a comment
This solves the problem
-
Hello John, To be sure, Whole Foods Market doesn't allow carbon monoxide to be applied to fish that is sold in our stores, including Cupertino. As with all products we sell, our fish must meet stringent quality standards, one of which is that a product cannot contain artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, and sweeteners. Does this address your concern here? If not, let me know and I'll do my best to get you a more thorough answer. Thanks for your comment. -
Oh! Great to know. Thanks. I'll stop talking so much whole smack.
-
"Whole smack" isn't such a bad thing:) You're helping us by being upfront and clear with your thoughts and information. I, for one, completely value and your participation here. Thanks and be sure to let me or other Whole Foods Market Team Member (hoping to get others involved here soon) if you have any further concerns or questions. Take care.
-
Inappropriate?I've heard that their business plan is basically "150% markup" and "carry 'organic' stuff." I don't like paying extra for what I see as basically greenwashed Safeway.
I’m not a big fan of Whole Paycheck pricing
3 Comments Add a comment
This solves the problem
-
Hey Cameron, Well, first, let me say that I'm personally sorry to hear that you feel this way about Whole Foods Market. I see where you're coming from and as you might imagine have had quite a few conversations with folks about Whole Foods Market's prices since I started working for the company way back in 2001. Pricing, especially for food is a sticky and somewhat complex subject, as there are a lot of variables to consider. For one, the type and quality of the product will certainly impact the final retail price. From my perspective, we tagged as being pricey because we carry a lot of very high-quality products, often not found in other stores, that are more expensive to source, along with the more common staple items. I think if you take a close look and compare similar products that we are pretty darn competitive. While not directly involved in the process or discussions concerning our pricing, I can say that I know those responsible are consistently striving to secure better prices for our customers. Also, our private label brand, such as 365 and 365 Organic, are often offer the best price, quality and my taste buds would argue taste as compared to similar branded products.
I hope this didn't sound too preachy and please know that I'm more than happy to continue the conversation with you. It's a tough one and thanks for your willingness to share your thoughts here.
-Slaton Carter, Whole Foods Market Team Member -
Slaton, thank you for responding to my comments. I agree that Whole Foods carries products of high quality. I'm an especially big fan of the meat counter at my local San Francisco location. Mostly I was repeating some rumors that I heard, purportedly from an investor meeting or presentation of some sort. That said, I still wish good food was more affordable!
-
Cameron, Definitely hear you. There are a lot of things that I wish were cheaper too:) At least with food it's possible to be frugal and still eat well. Not always easy, but certainly possible. Thanks, again, for your willingness to share your opinion here.
-
Inappropriate?And I agree with your comment about the "medium grade cafeteria food". I've never thought Whole Foods' hot deli food was all that tasty. They've had a Thai soup I really like and I like their chocolate tart but I agree that for the most part it's overpriced hipocracy.
I’m now craving a chocolate tart. Damn!
-
Inappropriate?Hello John, Thanks, again, for your honest feedback. While I'm not privy to if and why our Cupertino store disposes of sushi on a regular basis, I can say that it is a priority for Whole Foods Market to ensure the safety and health of our customers and team members. Sushi, since it's raw fish (or is that sashimi:)?), can unfortunately spoil quite quickly, even when using the freshest, highest quality ingredient available.
Recognizing that this doesn't fully answer your question, I will make sure that we follow up with the appropriate Cupertino Team Members and get a more complete answer for you as soon as possible.
Again, appreciate the feedback and keep it coming. It helps us improve and work harder to ensure that we satisfy all our customers expectations.
-Slaton Carter, Whole Foods Market Team Member
I’m thankful
3 Comments Add a comment
This solves the problem
-
Thanks for taking an interest in my comments.
I'm aware that there are policies in place to ensure the safety and freshness of everything you carry, and out of necessity, they can create waste. But I wish that wasn't the case.
Maybe selling out of sushi for the day wouldn't be such a bad thing for customers as well as the store to accept. Overfishing and carbon monoxide refreshening are not desirable by-products of offering fresh sushi all day.
Thanks again for addressing this directly.
-John -
Slaton, Thanks for being willing to dive in here in such an honest and open way -- particularly in light of the "bashing" going on in this thread. Good on you!
-
Amy, It's my pleasure, really. This is a great community site and I'm honestly excited to be able to connect directly with our customers and those interested or not in our brand and company. Kudos to the entire getsatisfaction.com team for making this possible and helping foster good, meaningful conversations. Looking forward to my continued participation and getting other Whole Foods Market team members to join as well! Thanks.
-
Inappropriate?Consider me a Whole Foods fanboy but I think the deli food is generally quite good. Given their high standards of freshness and sourcing, as well as the gorgeous store design, it makes sense that it would be more expensive. And people obviously find value in it--otherwise they wouldn't shop there.
Given Whole Foods positioning as a more sustainable and thoughtful food retailer it's easy to pick on them for not being perfect. But let's not get carried away with our self-righteousness! They've done an amazing thing popularizing a lot of ideas about food that we now take for granted.
I’m on Whole Foods side, particularly since they listen!
-
Inappropriate?Thanks, Thor. We try our best, but know there's always room for improvement. We're not perfect, but it's our constant goal to get there:) John has a very valid point that there might be some unnecessary waste going on, it would surprise if there wasn't a very valid reason behind what he observed, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. As I promised earlier, I will definitely connect with the right people to get to the bottom of John's concern. Will report back soon!
I’m thankful
-
Inappropriate?Thor, you make a good point. Whole Foods has done a lot to popularize organic food and just putting more thought into our grocery and household purchases in general. And I have to admit that I'm not a hater -- it's more of a love / hate relationship. I think there's a somewhat pervasive feeling that Whole Foods is over priced because it "can" be but I realize that it's expensive to do what they do.
I’m thinking *I'm* a bit hypocritical since I sometimes complain about Whole Foods but like to shop there anyway.
2 Comments Add a comment
This solves the problem
-
I love it how Amy and Thor (a couple) banter with each other about Whole Foods on Get Satisfaction... Don't you guys talk to each other when you're out shopping for groceries??? :P
-
Thor shop for groceries?? Haha! ;)
-
Inappropriate?Hello All, I wanted to take this opportunity to join this disccusion and perhaps shed some light on a few issues. i have checked with the Cupertino store for more information regarding their sushi. As it is with many of our stores this the sushi is provided by a 3rd party company. The product must still meet our strict quality standards, but they determine the shelf life according to HACCP guidlines. Two days is the maximum shelf life, but as the safety mantra says, 'when in doubt, throw it out.'
Many of our stores will give away day old bread, produce and damaged, non-perishable packaged goods as long as they are still in the package and not spoiled. However, some food banks and charitable organizations have their own guidlines about what they will and will not take and will sometimes refuse what we offer. There are numerous liability issues here, both for these organizations as well as us.
Thor - making sushi for the day is a great idea. In fact, that is the plan we generally follow in any of our prepared foods areas. We look at last years sales and make projections. Actually, this process is followed in every one of our departments and affects production, staffing and ordering. If you think about it, we lose money by having to throw product away, so that's not really good business sense.
Regarding 'Whole Paycheck', I have heard that one since I started in 1997 and i'm sure it's been around quite a bit longer. The truth is, like Slaton said, we carry quite a few specialty and high end items which are quite expensive, but our private label products as well as our sales items offer a great value for customers that may be looking for high quality natural and organic products without spending a lot of money.
Amy - i'm glad you're not a hater.
please let me know if I can further address any questions. I'm really glad to participate in this discussion, this is a really great forum for connecting with our customers. Take care - Jessie
1 person says
this solves the problem
1 Comment Add a comment
This solves the problem
-
I received additional, item specific, shelf life information this morning.
5 days on cooked sushi products and edemame. 1 day on sashimi and fresh fish sushi. 30 days on pickled plum, and Tsuke.
I hope this information helps. -
Inappropriate?I love WF, but I live in Austin where their flagship store/WF "themepark" is. My question is this - I 've always wondered if they bring the leftover buffet food to the shelter's or do the employees get it? In particular the awesome cakes and little mini cake things in the bakery - they cant possibly sell all those before they go bad. Where does it all go?1 Comment Add a comment
This solves the problem
-
That's a great question, Ruby. Actually, while it *is* related to this current topic, it kind of deserves it's own topic so that more people will see it. :) Feel free to click the "start a topic" button at the top if you want to post your question as a new topic.
-
Inappropriate?Just skimming around this old topic and want to say that Whole Foods must be doing something right, i.e. treating their employees very well. Jessie has stayed with them since 1997 and Slaton since 2001!
1 Comment Add a comment
This solves the problem
-
Good point!
-
Inappropriate?i don't really know about why they do that. they do use fresh fish, as it is the standard of the company. it is true that the company has stopped allowing people to take product home, and it bothers me too. but at least here, our excess is donated to local women's shelters and homeless shelters. -
Inappropriate?Medium-grade cafeteria food? I've been addicted to a Mediterranean grilled chicken/two kinds of olives/feta/red pepper/red onion salad at WF since the spring. I don't know what kind of delicacies you're used to chowing down on, but Whole Foods has plenty of things to like. In Pennsylvania, 98% of the grocery stores want to sell you ice berg lettuce with shredded carrots and canned vegetables at their bars, and even at more progressive stores like Wegmans they still use hydrogenated oil like it's going out of style. Whole Foods isn't perfect, but it's a hell of a lot better than no Whole Foods.
I’m when will it stop being trendy to lampoon Whole Foods
2 Comments Add a comment
This solves the problem
-
^^that's really true....but then again I live in California...and there are many places to get excellent prepared food.
-
I've visited California. With all the tasty edibles available I probably wouldn't shop Whole Foods as much as I do in southeastern PA. Still, that grilled chicken salad I mentioned is as good as anything I had in San Francisco. There are plenty of duds in their selection, and it can be obnoxious when you land one of them, but I'd be in hell if I had to shop at a traditional grocery store out here.
-
Inappropriate?Our local HEB has the WHOLE FOODS section/mentality. I really like their meat products. It is the only ground beef that I will eat. The DOWN side of all of the freshness happening there is that they must be destroying a lot of food. I wish that the grocery stores would DONATE close-dated and "not perfect" produce to charity! Many stores in Michigan where I lived before now would donate to help with the hunger issues.
I am EXHAUSTED from trying to feed my family the highest quality, nutritious foods without going bankrupt. I am forced to shop at about 5 different stores that do NOT carry groceries as the primary attraction. I must do this because Whole Foods prices are not accessable for all foods. I can get a box of mini wheats at "other" stores for $2.00, OR Whole Foods/HEB for $4.99 and up!
Bio fuels are great, but they are making the foods that children live on extremely expensive. Milk, cereal, corn based foods, grains, wheat, etc. are off the charts. Our basic grocery bill has gone up about $400.00 PER MONTH!
Even Sam's club is not better. Whole Foods needs to realize that we will buy LESS organic, LESS nutritious foods and start feeding our families Ramen noodles if they do not reduce costs.
I don't need all of the fanfare! No balloons, fancy hats, gormet looking plates etc. under my lunchmeat. Just quality without the wine tasting please!
I HATE TELLING MY CHILDREN THAT THEY CAN NOT HAVE MORE FRUITS AND VEGGIES BECAUSE THEY COST TOO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!
I’m exhusted!
-
Inappropriate?Dear Whole Foods,
Why don't you cut the price of the sushi an hour before closing so that you'll sell out, instead of throwing it away? There's a sushi place near Union Square, NY that offers their prepacked sushi for 50% off starting an hour before closing, and now it's always packed at that time with people buying half price sushi and other (non-discounted) offerings. This would definitely drive some more traffic into Whole Foods.
Lee3 Comments Add a comment
This solves the problem
-
That's a really good idea, Lee!
-
When I lived in Japan, this was standard procedure. A guy would walk around putting 50-yen-off, then 100-yen off stickers on the food, and was followed like a mama duck by several little old Japanese ladies and myself, right before closing.
-
Haha! That's fantastic!
-
Inappropriate?I think whole foods rocks! -
Inappropriate?With a Whole Foods less than a block from my house, I am guilty of over-indulging in the not so cheap prepared foods and beautifully presented delicacies. All told, I'm sure I spend more at WF than if I were blocks from a conventional grocery store.
That said, I remember when there was a chain in the Boston area call Bread and Circus that is very similar to WF. They may have done more with prepared foods, but they focused on the same market with a lot of very nice high end organics and such.
I remember when WF purchased Bread and Circus (must have been 15 years ago or so now) and most people thought it was a sign that premium food would become harder to get since there was less competition and the yuppies would pay anything for smoked salmon and grilled corn salads. The exact opposite happened -- prices for basic items went down immediately and there was high turnover of good fresh foods. The seafood and meat department were improved and the trademark WF service began to shine. More stores opened and attracted more people to think about what they buy and expand their pallet to include something more that 99 cent green peppers.
WF recently purchased and converted a Wild Oats in my sister's town and she has seen the same exact thing. Lower prices, better quality, and more people. Sure, we all cannot go to WF for every purchase (but the 365 products are pretty good staples), but I cannot image what our options would look like if they were not around.
It's good to see the WF is not happy to be just better than all the rest, but actually wants to improve their products and services. Keep reaching out and critiquing WF and I think they will continue to find ways to lower their costs and bring more customers into the stores -- it may lead to better profits, but it also leads to better food options for all of us.
I’m happy with my WF experience
1 Comment Add a comment
This solves the problem
-
Thanks for sharing the thoughtful perspective. Interesting to hear that prices came down when WF acquired those other markets.
EMPLOYEE
