PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Whole Foods Invades Pittsburgh
by Teamsterturtle Wednesday, Sep. 25, 2002 at 1:39 AM

Reveals claims of Whole Foods' misconduct

There has been mounting concern these last few months over one of the newest corporate arrivals in Pittsburgh. Whole Foods, a giant chain of mega-market natural food stores, is set to open its doors in East Liberty in late October. While viewed by many as a store that sells wholesome food at affordable prices, the real price of shopping at Whole Foods has come to light. A brief review of information has revealed some interesting facts about our newest corporate entity.

The CEO of Whole Foods, John Mackey, is a disciple of right-wing economist Milton Friedman. Mackey believes we are in an age where unions are no longer needed, and has compared unionization efforts to catching herpes.

Whole Foods has also shunned support for UFW campaigns for workers' rights, and has been the mouthpiece for the strawberry growers industry. Whole Foods has gone so far as to have activists outside its stores arrested for speaking to the public about the need to support farmworkers. Many have accused Whole Foods of fronting for public relations departments of various enviro-toxic entities, such as the shrimp industry.

An article by Michael Steinberg, in Z Magazine, has also linked the original owners of Whole Foods to nuclear weapons delivery systems, and revealed the current largest owner as Fidelity Investments (FMR Corporation), which has made some Enronesque moves in recent years.

Below are some sources for those of you who are interested in this monolith threatening to stomp on our East End Food Co-op.

"Whole Foods Market and the B-1 Bomber"
http://www.zmag.org/ZMag/articles/steinberg.htm

"Whole Foods Market Not So Pure"
http://michaelbluejay.com/main/wholefoods.html

"...Whole Foods helps kill sea turtles"
http://www.seaturtles.org/progMaterial.cfm?campaignMaterialID=37

Whole Foods workers' union site
http://www.wholeworkersunite.org/

"Unionizing Whole Foods Would Be Fitting"
http://www.madison.com/captimes/opinion/column/nichols/28205.php

And...if you are still with me, this article in Forbes will probably make you want to puke or go picket Mackey at his home...I'm not kidding.

http://www.forbes.com/global/1998/0406/0101049a_print.html

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