The "Affording Whole Foods Market" debate goes on...

Here's more fuel to the fiery argument over whether or not shopping at Whole Foods Markets can be done on a limited budget.  Duplicating a similar effort that concerned whether a full-time (40/hrs per week) cashier could afford to buy basic necessities at the very Walmart that employed him, Stan Cox takes a look at Whole Foods and finds his shopping cart coming out wanting.

In his article on Alternet about "eating well without breaking the bank" he raises the question:

Is it possible for a corporation that sells everyday, necessary products like food to do three things at once: (1) pay a living wage, (2) charge prices that most people can afford and (3) provide an acceptable return to its shareholders?

I've had recent conversations with friends who have tried to shop the USDA food list on a budget and the difficulties they found in doing so.  I think I might give it a try to see how we stack up in Syracuse.  This would be a food challenge of a different sort but with incredibly enlightening results.

To read one blogger's results of comparison shopping Whole Foods Markets and "regular" supermarkets, click here--and check out the comments too.

Comments

[Natalie]

The first time I went in a Whole Foods (in MA somewhere) a year or so ago, they had a lot of great stuff you'd want, but not everything you'd need, and basics seemed more expensive than in Syracuse. An interesting argument to follow, thanks

[Margaret]

As far a s Syracuse is concerned...Whole Foods would be great here and it is about the same cost as Wegmans!!!!