I had a similar reaction that Jay did, as Whole Foods’ lobster decision came on top of growing disenchantment I’ve had with the chain. You go into the Cambridge street location, and it feels like a yuppie supermarket - period. Out with bulk foods and in with the aisles and aisles of prepared foods. And I about had a fit when I saw collards going for $3.50 a pound.
But the big problem one faces: what’s the alternative? The regular chain supermarkets aren’t especially cheap (at least if you live in the city) and are frustrating in their own regard. One thing you can say about Whole Foods is that they design their markets and displays in a way that make you excited about food; one on hand this is bad because it encourages consumers to buy processed and junk food under the guise they’re getting something “healthy”; on the other hand, couldn’t Shaw’s or Stop and Shop try at least a little? As long as they design their store with their wholesaler’s needs valued over the consumer’s - and as long as they treat fresh vegetables as something they need to stock rather than something one would actively value - I’m going to be put off.
At least Boston has a number of good ethnic markets, whose (often) close proximity make shopping at them feasible for most, though not all, of my needs. These days, I actually do the majority of my food shopping at these stores. And, fortunately, the farmer’s markets have started up again.
In related news, the Globe Ideas had a nice even-handed rundown over the direction and value of organic foods.
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