Whole Foods Should Embrace Food Stamps

[thelakelander]

The chain could shed its "whole paycheck" image by being an ally to shoppers on food assistance.

KRISTON CAPPS

Over the past year or so, Whole Foods has been trying to push back on its "whole paycheck" reputation. As Slate's Alison Griswold reported last fall, the grocery empire embraced "Values Matter" as its official mantra, a prayer of rebranding. Mindful of the company's ethics-oriented roots as well as its growing competition, Whole Foods means to appeal to its customers' hearts and pocketbooks.

On Wednesday, the company announced that it will unveil new stores in 2016 under a "complementary brand" in an effort to court millennial shoppers. The shops will be digitally focused, tech-oriented, and dollar-conscious. Don't bother guessing what this might look like, because these new grocery stores are literally impossible to conceive of.

Full article: http://www.citylab.com/tech/2015/05/whole-foods-should-embrace-food-stamps/392804/

[Overstreet]

I've driven by it twice daily for years. Yet haven't be in the store ever.

[Jax native]

The chain could shed its "whole paycheck" image by being an ally to shoppers on food assistance.

KRISTON CAPPS

Over the past year or so, Whole Foods has been trying to push back on its "whole paycheck" reputation. As Slate's Alison Griswold reported last fall, the grocery empire embraced "Values Matter" as its official mantra, a prayer of rebranding. Mindful of the company's ethics-oriented roots as well as its growing competition, Whole Foods means to appeal to its customers' hearts and pocketbooks.

On Wednesday, the company announced that it will unveil new stores in 2016 under a "complementary brand" in an effort to court millennial shoppers. The shops will be digitally focused, tech-oriented, and dollar-conscious. Don't bother guessing what this might look like, because these new grocery stores are literally impossible to conceive of.

Full article: http://www.citylab.com/tech/2015/05/whole-foods-should-embrace-food-stamps/392804/

This entire article is BS.  Whole Foods have ALWAYS accepted SNAP payments.  This article seems to point to a complete lie about Whole Foods not accepting SNAP, where the truth is, Whole Foods accepts, what in Florida is EBT payments on all foods item eligible. 

The article is misleading to the point of being factually untrue! 

[Know Growth]

Even @ relatively high annual income,way too much over priced.

I cheered for Whole Foods placement there at Riverside,but am not beholden. That was easy!

[benfranklinbof]

I don't make a lot and i still purchase a lot of my groceries from whole foods.

[JaxJersey-licious]

The chain could shed its "whole paycheck" image by being an ally to shoppers on food assistance.

KRISTON CAPPS

Over the past year or so, Whole Foods has been trying to push back on its "whole paycheck" reputation. As Slate's Alison Griswold reported last fall, the grocery empire embraced "Values Matter" as its official mantra, a prayer of rebranding. Mindful of the company's ethics-oriented roots as well as its growing competition, Whole Foods means to appeal to its customers' hearts and pocketbooks.

On Wednesday, the company announced that it will unveil new stores in 2016 under a "complementary brand" in an effort to court millennial shoppers. The shops will be digitally focused, tech-oriented, and dollar-conscious. Don't bother guessing what this might look like, because these new grocery stores are literally impossible to conceive of.

Full article: http://www.citylab.com/tech/2015/05/whole-foods-should-embrace-food-stamps/392804/

This entire article is BS.  Whole Foods have ALWAYS accepted SNAP payments.  This article seems to point to a complete lie about Whole Foods not accepting SNAP, where the truth is, Whole Foods accepts, what in Florida is EBT payments on all foods item eligible. 

The article is misleading to the point of being factually untrue!

You obviously didn't read the article. Yes, Whole Foods accepts Food Stamps but they are talking about Whole Foods embracing programs that encourage families on them to buy more fresh fruits and vegetables instead of the typical processed shit normally hawked at their local corner bodega or chain grocer. It highlights a Michigan program that encourages buying fresh local produce by giving customers who buy $10 worth of produce at a grocery participating in the program a $10 gift card to be used for locally grown produce not just in their store but many local farmer's markets also. The article bemoans the fact that Whole Foods does not participate in this or any such program and should.

How great would that be to have a similar program in Jax? Not only would it be a boon to the local Farmer's Market, but it could encourage local farmers to set up shop in areas under-served by bigger grocery chains with better produce choices.

Studies show a huge increase fresh produce purchased by beneficiaries, but I wonder how effective it is in encouraging long-term healthy eating by families. Many S.N.A.P. recipients are students or just between jobs but once they get better opportunities or more hours and no longer qualify for Food Stamps, time constraints and convenience (on top of price concerns) may factor in more on food shopping decisions and have them revert to their old, less-healthy ways.Time will tell, but its a good start.