This week is the 30th anniversary of Whole Foods Market (WFM) coming to River Forest. It was a big deal. So far, the store has offered no signs of acknowledging the anniversary. This was only the second WFM store in the Chicago area, and at that time corporate spent more money on this store than on any in the country. So they wanted immediate profits like the Lincoln Park Store, and that didn’t happen. It took a while for people to understand about buying quality foods. In part, it was my job to help educate about whole foods and whole health.
There is still such great value at WFM, including the Amazon Prime sales, other sales, many value items and their 365 house brand, especially the 365 organics. Get to know prices at all of the local food stores and you’ll find that every store has some great values and sales, while other items in the store are overpriced. For example, don’t assume that something at Costco is the lowest price in town. I don’t buy processed and convenience foods at any store, but I do find Jewel to be a relatively expensive store.
Yet since Amazon took over WFM, some quality is slipping. Jeff Bezos, open up your budget to support the stores and staff adequately, especially during the holidays! There is no reason we need to stand in line 25 minutes during the holiday season. And during the last two years, it was hard to get turkey parts for the holidays. Why? Now more and more meats and poultry products are pre-packaged in plastic, rather than being able to buy these fresh at the counter and have it packaged in paper. Amazon seems to be diluting the WFM brand.
The health community agrees that whole, real, nutrient-dense foods that are free of chemicals help to create and maintain vital health. Overall, I have been grateful for Whole Foods Market, which helps enhance health with so many delicious quality whole foods, convenient meal ideas and great value.
Happy Anniversary!
Gina Orlando
Former (and initial) River Forest WFM marketing and community relations director (who doesn’t get any bonus from saying positive things about WFM!).