WHOLE FOODS: A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING???

When most people think of Whole Foods the words that come to mind are - organic, sustainable, local, fresh, and quality.  Well, I have some other words to add to that list; hypocrite, schizophrenic, and identity crisis.  Whole Foods has created a niche in the market for themselves as the go to store for individuals seeking healthier, more sustainable, and local foods.  Health food fanatics, moms, and environmentalists alike, all flock to Whole Foods for their grocery needs.  But, is Whole Foods living up to their potential and their reputation?  Absolutely not.

SHEEP'S CLOTHING
I frequent my local Whole Foods and actually shed tears of happiness the first time I walked through their doors at the opening this past summer.  You can certainly find an abundance of organic, sustainably grown, local food.  The staff at the Fairfield Whole Foods is kind, helpful, and, for the most part, very knowledgeable.  Whole Foods gives back to our community by donating food to the homeless shelter / social service agency, Operation Hope, where I sit on the board.  In addition, Whole Foods has supported the movement for healthier foods in the Fairfield school system and has held events and promoted initiatives to support this effort.  So, let's give credit where credit is due.

REALLY A WOLF
With all those kind words above, you may be wondering, what's my beef with Whole Foods?  Well, it will come as no surprise that my frustration with Whole Foods evolves out of their policy toward Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).  While Whole Foods claims that their store brand, 365, does not contain GMOs and they have even gotten many of their products verified as Non GMO through the Non GMO Project, Whole Foods has not taken a strong position on GMOs to say the least.  Products with GMOs can still be found throughout their store.  Their already prepared food items contain GMO corn, soy, and vegetable oils.  Whole Food's own policy on GMOs states, "Clearly labeled products enable shoppers who want to avoid foods made with GMOs to do so". http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/values/genetically-engineered.php  I ask you Whole Foods, if this is your policy, why are you not advocating for GMO labeling in CT and other states who are trying to clearly label packaging???

When I approached the local Whole Foods to do a GMO education event with me back in March, despite the local store being in favor of the idea, corporate Whole Foods struck down the idea and told the local Whole Foods employees to hold off on ANY non GMO education at this time.  Really?  No GMO educational events at the most critical time CT has ever seen in the fight to give consumers the right to know what is in their food?  This position is simply unacceptable.  Forget the fact that Whole Foods could probably do away with GMOs altogether in the American food supply by taking a stand and refusing to allow GMOs in their stores, but I would think it would be in Whole Food's best interest to support a bill that would give their consumers the transparency that they expect when shopping at Whole Foods.  We deserve the right to know what is in our food.  The citizens of fifty other countries, including all of Europe, Japan, China, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand all already enjoy this right because of mandatory GMO labeling laws.

The CT GMO labeling bill is running out of time.  If it is not called for a vote before May 9th, the bill will die a fast death.  Call the corporate Whole Foods regional offices in NJ and tell them to speak out publicly in favor of CT HB 5117, 201-567-2090.   Tell Whole Foods to live up to their reputation with the public and be a leader in our right to know what is in our food.