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As we have intimated before, Bostonist is no fan of Whole Foods. We can understand paying more for organic food, but half the time when we go for some particular organic piece of produce (our health is not so important, but for baby Bostonist, we are inclined to splurge), they only have the "conventional" version of that particular fruit or vegetable, yet it still costs twice what we'd pay at a normal grocery store. We also don't like their jivey cereals; not only do they taste bland and cardboardy, but they have dumb names like "Good Friends." What sort of a name is that for cereal?! We'll stick to Froot Loops and Smart Start (which is especially fun to say with a Boston accent). Still, we have heretofore refrained from lambasting Whole Foods publicly, trying to heed the sensible maxim taught to us so many years ago by Arnold, Willis, Mr. Drummond, et al.: It takes diff'rent strokes to rule the world. (Also, Whole Foods is sometimes the best place for hard-to-find ingredients.) Last night, however, we felt we'd stumbled upon an unassailable and damning piece of evidence that would finally give us fodder for a searing indictment of the hated upscale chain. Unfortunately, in the end Whole Foods remained one step ahead of us. Nevertheless, we shall recount the details of our harrowing incident for the edification of our dear readers.
Mrs. Bostonist, as is more and more customary for women of her age and socio-economic status, participates in a monthly book group. Last night it was her turn to host said group, and she planned to prepare a salmon dinner for her book-chums. As Bostonist was riding our bicycle home from work, Mrs. Bostonist called us in a frantic state, wondering what she should do about the large worms she discovered in the salmon from Whole Foods. Although flattered that she might suppose we knew anything about this, Bostonist had to remind her that we didn't even cook fish before we met her. So she called Whole Foods.
The first person she spoke to said, "Oh, yeah, we've had a couple calls like that lately." Not so reassuring. The person at the fish counter, to whom Mrs. B. was subsequently tranferred, said, "Oh, that is quite normal. It is an indication of freshness." "So I can serve this to people and they won't get food poisoning?" Mrs. B. asked. Here, there was some hesitation: "Sure," replied Fish Person, "I think so." Mrs. B. ordered pizza.
Today, thanks to the magic of Internet, Bostonist learns that, lo and behold, big worms in fish are no big deal. (We also decided that our next indie rock band will be called Parasitic Worms of Fish.) We still hate Whole Foods, though.
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So you don't like worms in your fish? Hate Whole Foods? ahhh...the days when Bread and Circus still ruled massachusetts...and way back when it was just bread and circus, none of that "A whole foods market" b.s.
Yeah, and I totally miss Coffee Connection, too.
the beef at WF is awesome, though. i haven't bought any fish there, yet. i agree that the prices are insane. thankfully, i am privy to the discount.
plus wholefoods has devilishly handsome men working the registers! of course, i'm biased...
there is a place for people who hate whole foods and it is called trader joe's, my friend. that or it is called going to a regular grocery store where you do not find the food to be annoying or scary.
I personally enjoy bugs in my Knock Cereal as well. I mean, its part of this complete breakfest.
Am I willing to pay extra to not have to search through 50 rotten onions at one of the traditional Boston-area supermarkets in order to find the least offensive one? Definitely. Organic or non-organic, being able to grab the first carrots, onion, tomato or whatever produce you seek and knowing that it's in good shape is unique and valuable among supermarket experiences. Whole Foods is the Atrium Mall of grocery shopping, and it's more than worth the price.
I had a similar experience buying fish at QFC. When I returned it the next day, the guy asked what was wrong and I said "It has worms" and the guy turned white and practically dropped it. I'm sure it's more than safe to eat and I'm sure I've already eaten more than my fair share of salmon worms, but when you see the little white things wriggling through the pink flesh of your salmon, it, uh, is so unappetizing to say the least. Good call on ordering the pizza.
My high school marine biology teacher advocated searching your fish for worms when you were served it in restaurants. Not because the worms are unhealthy, but because if you find worms, and point them out to your server, you usually don't have to pay for the meal.
And that's...one to grow on.
m0nstermike,
I, personally, have always enjoyed the old-time produce-purchasing process. If I don't have to prod it and smell it before I buy it, it just don't feel right.
The produce staff at Whole Foods is almost always around and willing to answer questions about picking produce. When I was new to buying mangos, someone in the Fresh Pond location patiently explained many things about the fruit to my friend and I, and then sliced a ripe one up to share with us and with other customers. That's closer to the "old-time" grocery experience I prefer.
...And don't even get me started on the cheese department. These people are passionate about their products, and that passion shows in the way they treat their customers and in what they sell.
You can say as many nice things as you want about Whole Foods. I'll never buy fish there again, after they sneered at me for being disgusted at the sight of worms in my fish! OK, maybe they were right about worms being safe, but worms are still gross. Trader Joe's has won my heart all the more with WF's error.
As for produce, may I suggest www.bostonorganics.com for weekly home delivery of fresh organic produce, at prices well below WF. Now that I have a source of good produce and an aversion to the WF fish department, I will never have to set foot in Whole Foods again. They can keep their "passion" -- since when do groceries need passion? It doesn't make the food more tasty, nor does it make it a better value, and it will NEVER compare to the true hippie spirit of their predecessor, Bread & Circus (long may we remember them).
Wow, strong feelings about Whole Foods on Bostonist.com. And in my chambers--you almost gave my fellow clerk an apoplectic fit. Can we somehow avoid similar hot button issues in the future? Stick to the Supreme Court or something.
Incidentally, you're all fat cats for shopping at Whole Foods. Raise the little Bostonist as a vegetarian and get your produce at Haymarket. Sure, some of the stuff isn't high quality. But it's not like you're going to see worms crawling through it's pink flesh or anything.
just wanted to add my "I hate Whole Foods" to the list... "whole paycheck"
You can't be 87510 serious?!?