I just LOVE how clear and transparent you are. your explanations on the sustainable budget and telling that this was your job were absolutely need and make people think on that in a rational way. I just love the work you made. thank you so so much.
Leah i appreciate your honesty when you said you feel slimy that you liked the shopping experience because I have the very same feeling. I’m also that white woman with some privilege and I can also see how curated it is to my demographic. We didn’t shop there much before because of pricing but since Amazon purchased whole foods, we try not to shop there unless there’s something specific we can’t seem to get anywhere else. With regards to packaging, I’d be curious if all the produce really is package free or if it just gets disposed of before being put on the shelves. Obviously all produce has some packaging but I wouldn’t be surprised if whole foods goes that extra step to make it “feel” like you’re shopping package free. It’d be great to hear from an employee.
Produce arrives to the store in vented cardboard boxes. It is recycled in our cardboard compacter and picked up. The shopping experience isn't catered to white people, it's catered to people who have extra money to spend. You're supposed to feel like you're shopping at a "nicer" store. In many ways, they are genuinely nicer. Yes I'm an employee
Leah’s ‘ooh lavender soap’ cracked me up - I completely get that. Also, as others have said, your level of transparency & honesty in everything is brilliant. 💚
Whole Foods is usually really expensive and its owned by Amazon so I tend to avoid it. But every now and then they have a sale on something very specific and I consider it. Generally speaking though if I'm going to spend the extra money on nicer groceries I would rather it be the farmers market
Amazon owned, would never set foot in there but appreciate the video nonetheless. Just dont want places like WF putting your local places out of business.
I’ve only shopped at Whole Foods a few times back when I was living in Toronto. I didn’t even realize that there was one here in Victoria. The other benefit of Whole Foods is that it’s a 1 stop shop which for some people (families) is critical. As someone who is childfree, I can spend a good chunk of my Saturday going from store to store but if you have a family that may not be realistic. I would like to see a video on how to shop organic and low waste on a student/senior budget to see what’s possible. One of the biggest sticker shock for me when I moved to the island was the cost of food.
Girl if you don’t stop! People with kids do everything else they want to do. 90% of the time they are neglecting their kids anyway for social media, etc. They can drive around for what they need like the rest of us, and like real parents did back in the day.
I live in Europe so no whole foods here but I really enjoyed your video and have been enjoying your content for quite a few years now. Love your personality and that you try to help others by giving them different pieces of information. Thank you so much for this. Never stop ❤️❤️
I discovered Whole Foods in Dallas, TX, before they were "A Thing." Maybe the bulk bins are still out of service due to Covid, but that was my favorite thing about WF. In the late '90s, I'd never seen them before, and I loved being able to get just the amount i needed and try new things without having to invest in a whole container that might possibly just go to waste (not to mention the lack of packaging if you brought your own bags). I know bulk bins aren't much of a novelty now (and it sounds like you have that available right in your neighbourhood, so that's fabulous!), but for some of us, WF is one of the few (relatively) local places that has a decent range of food available in bulk without packaging. I was kind of surprised you skipped that part of the store.
I work in a shopping center that has a Whole Foods so I stop by to grab lunch and other random things I need every now and then. They have a surprisingly good collection of items but honestly, I don't have the money to spend there. I do most of my shopping at Kroger/King Soopers but do appreciate what Whole Foods has and what they do
I live in the stix (northern PNW 🇨🇦)… we don’t have anything like this. It’s a stretch to find local food or package free anything… hence we have 2 veggie gardens and a greenhouse during the growing seasons. Whole Foods would be the type of store that I would visit if I was on a vacation (got siblings in your city) just to see it for myself. WoW… the price of food is sure on the rise, isn’t it? Thanks for the awesome vid and have a great day! 🌎💦Ⓜ️ary🍁
For $81 that’s a shocking amount of food, I’m surprised! Maybe I’m just super used to crazy food prices these days, but stuff like that Just Egg can’t be cheap to make!
Agreed! They said they were doing their standard grocery shopping as the experiment and I assume they do a “regular” grocery shop once a week. I think $40 per person is perfectly reasonable. On the low end even for those who prioritize spending more disposable income on food.
I like the way you keep it real- acknowledging that the food chain is something that is not accessible to many folks. LOL … they call it Whole Paycheck for a reason.
It's a 7 minute drive outside of downtown Victoria and has bus stops all around it and is the anchor of a major shopping area. Yeah definitely in the middle of nowhere.
This was a very interesting video. I especially appreciated the chat in the end and you admitting honestly that you are privileged in your options. We don‘t have Whole Foods were I live, so that‘s not an option for me. I try to get my groceries as zero waste and local in my local supermarket as possible and occasionally drive to a organic store in town for more specific items (especially cleaning products or unpackaged soap). There‘s actually a zero waste store planning to open next year a few villages away and I am excited to see what they‘ll be offering
After watching this, I really miss going inside Trader Joe's to get their samples. And also Central Market to get their sandwiches for lunch (I use to work across the street from them). But I mainly grocery shop once a month at Kroger, I save money there with the deals they have. :)
Great video! I liked how you mentioned that the grocery haul was a business expense. I guess you didn’t want to take the bus though? Lots of bus stops in that area because it’s surrounded by a hub of stores. Can’t wait to hear what you think of the egg-like product.
Haha yeah we could have biked but it was a gross day and we’re not keen on biking in the rain. Lol also we took the car because for two of us to take the bus back and forth is sadly more expensive than us sharing a car. Plus then we don’t have to carry all the bags you know? But this is a great point!
@@LeahandLevi totally get it! I don’t own a car but the time I miss it the most is grocery shopping. I just think it’s fortunate that this store is so (comparatively) accessible for people who don’t drive.
@@LeahandLevi wow. Impressive that the car is cheaper than two people taking the bus. Neat service. I don’t have a car, so maybe this is worth checking out
Is there a zero waste meal prep option like fresh prep in the US? I'd love to try it if you know of one. Also great video love this content and the new channel as well! :)
hey guys! love your videos! 😊 I also subscribed to Future proof when you launched it but I just wanted to let you know that your thumbnails on the other channel stand out less than this one, and I have missed the whole food video... I now found it though 😉. Cheers!
Save on Foods has the Just Egg too. Whole Foods has a larger selection of alternative milk products and often on sale, so we drop in there as I with my milk allergy have a better selection for many items. They also have two vegan sandwiches and the burrito bowls which make for a great lunch or light dinner. We've noticed some items are cheaper than Save on Foods or Root Cellar. Whole Foods is there when I go to the gym (Fitness World so yes driving) or on the way home by bus on the #26 to pick up. I'm picky about produce and get mine at Root Cellar due to carrying a lot of local (would like to compare...maybe a future video?). Hahaha--great comment Leah, and I agree, but they do have the BEST supplies, next to Toute de Sweet, for S'mores.
I was an occasional Whole Foods shopper (for specialty items) up until I had a kid with multiple food allergies. In the area where we live, there are no specialty shops within a reasonable distance. Whole Foods became the place where I could get everything in 1 trip. And my 3-year-old would live solely on Just Egg if I let her…
To Leah wondering what the little basket is: It is OBVIOUSLY a basket sapling. You plant it in the ground and it grows a bigger basket 😂(you have to plant it upside down, the handles are the roots)
My wife and I buy all our meat and part of our produce from whole foods. The other half is purchased from the Buford Highway Farmers Market, where my parents and many nationalities shop at for a reminder of home. Splitting between the two helps keep cost down.
I agree with all your sentiments! I like Whole Foods for getting some specialty items (for my husband, seafood for a super special occasion like my MIL’s birthday) but we have an amazing co-op in Albany, NY called Honest Weight that has an incredible bulk section and we can get just about everything we need package free. We’re so lucky to be able to have it available and that we can afford it since it’s not the cheapest option in our area.
I have a whole foods very close by driving and a smaller locally-owned natural grocery store within walking distance. When I need something specific that I know is only sold there, I visit the locally owned store out of principle. I've found that WF has a lot of the same stuff that Wegmans and Safeway has, just marked up. I was also hugely disappointed to see that WF got rid of their bulk section, so I have pretty much no reason to go there now.
Thanks for sharing! Having never been in Whole Foods before I can see the roots of some other co-op style grocery stores that it inspired. It's too bad that it couldn't have retained some of its original appeal.
I hope they come out with something like fresh prep in the US! I’ve really been thinking about getting a meal prep service. I’m a student and it’s hard for me to plan and shop for meals that taste good and don’t require too many ingredients
I tend to only go to Whole Foods to buy Salmon or a specific type of vegetable or fruit I can't get at my local grocery store. It's a bit of a drive for me to get there too. I totally agree with Leah and feel the same way- I hate how much I feel so comfortable when I go in there! Ha!!
I've shopped there for close to a decade. They carry Alaffia soaps, Indian herbal toothpastes, clean cat food, cultured wheat tortillas, heirloom tomatoes, Romanesco, hard kombucha, organic spices and all kinds of interesting and rich foods, such as the organic coconut kefir I've been enjoying recently. I don't buy everything I eat there; that would be absurd, but they've been a staple for years now because of their quality and the wonderful unique products they carry.
I really appreciate this video and taking privilege into account when making the decision to shop there or not. I originally avoided shopping there due to their high prices/bad vibes, but I openly boycotted Whole Foods and really limited my shopping at Amazon as much as possible because of the damage they did in my home city, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US. Whole Foods already had a store in one of the most popular shopping/residential areas that was already super gentrified, but they didn’t have the biggest parking lot, so they decided to buy a plot of land only a few streets over to build a multi-level store with a parking garage. The major problem was that their perfect new location was actually the site of a large, older apartment complex that housed disabled and lower income residents. Even though we protested, boycotted, and residents/leaders openly called for them to choose another location, they only addressed criticism and tried to back track after the occupants were already displaced (in a city where it’s difficult to find housing period, let alone affordable and accessible housing) and the building was torn down. They finally started construction of the new site this year after years of giving our city the runaround. While we do have issues with food insecurity in certain neighborhoods due to stores/markets closing, putting in expensive grocery stores and further gentrifying areas isn’t the solution. Here are some articles with more details about this controversy: www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/affordable-housing-advocates-to-boycott-pittsburghs-whole-foods/Content?oid=1945579 newpittsburghcourier.com/2019/05/23/whole-foods-in-a-battle-with-penn-plaza-supporters/ pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/05/03/whole-foods-east-liberty-project-controversy/ Also, as someone who has complicated dietary restrictions (I’m lactose intolerant and can’t eat gluten), I do appreciate stores like Whole Foods that provide so many allergy/food sensitivity-friendly options. I’m grateful that vegan and gluten-free diets are more popular theses days because I’m able to access food I can eat at most local grocery stores and some restaurants, but I know I have the privilege of choice (on top of me being a college educated, financially stable, cis het mixed white/Native woman) and the money to be able to buy these foods, which are generally way more expensive than "regular’ ones. Whole Foods is gross all-around between their unethical business practices and shaming of people who don’t fit their ideal customer (see their super toxic co-founder, John Mackey).
Yeah, My mom likes to grocery shop at whole foods, though, not as much as she likes Costco. I think that it's able to provide organic groceries to people at a certain level of scale but as your Future Proof video points, out, it's since been part of the "Big Grocery" industry
There's a Whole Foods very near to where we live. I'd never do my regular shopping there, but for certain specialty items, it's the only place i can purchase them in person in the area
Agreed. I live in a mid-sized city in the states and have 3 Whole Foods within 6 or so miles of me. But I go only for specialty items I can’t get elsewhere.
This was a nice watch! I value your honesty and transparancy, there is no Whole Foods in Sweden but still interesting to watch the video if they should ever decide to branch out to my part of the world. And no need to feel slimy Leah! It does look like a good experience shopping there, grocery stores should feel fresh and inviting for every demographic, not just people with more disposable income :) There is no shame in enjoying a curated shop.
I've been a few times, but not much. Around DC area we have Mom's Organic Market that I can drop off my compost bags and do some bring your own container shopping. Though I'm jealous of that zero waste shop y'all have up there haha
Yay Leah in the credits!!....now I hit subscribe 😊 (I haven't had a chance to watch the decluttering one yet probably happened in that video....but food over clothes!! LOL)
Thanks a lot for making this video. The idea was clever. A good part of the video was about how privileged you are for being able to shop as you do but you did not spend much time giving detailed objective review of how good Whole Foods is. The thing is that affordability is not a concrete thing. Yes, some people may have only 20$ to spend on a grocery haul and some other people may not care about the cost at all but there are also some people in the middle. People who may be able a good amount if they are sure it is worth it. Giving objective review helps this group. For example, you could have compared the price, packaging and quality of some grocery items you usually buy at your local store that other people are also likely to buy.
Shopping in my area of Colorado tends to be a mixed bag of stores. Whole (Paycheck) Foods is something I used to spend waaaaaaaaaay too much money on. My regular grocery store has organic and local options so they value proposition isn't there for me at whole foods. I reduced my spending at whole foods a couple years ago and calculated that by doing so I saved over $1000 USD. I ALSO put myself on a strict shopping list when I do go for those special items I can't find elsewhere. So in the end Whole Foods is just the specialty store where I get some items I can't find elsewhere. Costco and King Soopers are my go to stores.
5:07 They sell Vegan Just Egg (that same product you found in whole foods) at some Save on Foods locations. I’ve seen one at the king George hub in Surrey recently when I went to visit. Fun fact, at the king George hub there’s also a Jollibee
Nog showed up in our local Save On in Langley in late September! This situation is getting out of hand... From the video you showed inside Whole Foods, it looks like our Save On actually has a similar selection of plant-based products and local/organic produce, but I wonder if that's just because Langley is near Vancouver and near farms? Not sure about other Save On Foods. Spread 'Em also has a really great nut-based "cream cheese".
Here in (North-Western) Germany, we have Temma (Tante/Aunt Emma, which are "Mom and Pop shops") supermarkets, that seem like the equivalent of Whole Foods. We go there on a regular basis, but since "regular" supermarkets carry quite a selection of organic foods, too, the regular kind make up the bulk of our food shopping, as we can go there without driving ...
That sounds lovely tbh. There seems to be a vastly different cultural relationship with those smaller markets in the EU than in north america from my experience. Thanks for sharing!
Great video! I had to laugh at your comment describing wholefoods as being in the middle of nowhere though. As a local, I disagree lol I'm glad your future proof channel came up as a recommendation. Love your content :)
4:55 I bought a Kleen Kanteen mug and thermos at the Whole Foods near me in New Jersey, US. I was always wondering "what if I held out, I could have a HYDROFLASK!" But now that I've seen your content I feel a lot better about owning Klean Kanteens and now will double down on it moving forward :)
I've been so torn. I just moved across the US and haven't found a ton of places to go for sustainable shopping (plus becoming a student again so funds are limited). Whole Foods always looked enticing to shop at, but luckily there is a co-op here that I need to check out.
I live in Detroit Michigan. I am a senior citizen on Social Security. I actually really love Whole Foods, they do accept food stamps which helps. That being said they are not budget-friendly. If you have Amazon Prime you get discounts on some items, but you cannot beat the freshness and quality of some up their Foods.
Thank you for acknowledging that your experience is not always a reality for MANY people. And i always appreciate transparency about money in monetized content bc it's easy to forget that this is your job, not necessarily life. I used to work at a Whole Foods and definitely saw a specific demographic being the majority of our shoppers. The company had their heart in the right place, but some of their sustainable systems fell through. I don't want to support them now that amazon bought them out 🙄
honestly though, law student here, even though Whole Foods is under the Amazon corporation, it is hands down my favorite supermarket in the US. Buying local is not a option for me at the moment, due to lack of access to a car and farmer market not really being a thing in my industrial area of NJ. The other grocery stores in my area are just not as affordable as I find Whole Foods to be, and mainly require me to purchase products in single use plastic. I wish you explored more of their 365 products, their store brand products. Their quality is usually great, always affordable, usually certified organic and GMO free. ALSO, discounts could often be added with a prime membership, which I have through my university. Again, it is an Amazon corporation so ideally, I would love to avoid it. But I usually purchase double the amount that you've shown and spend about $100 a month on groceries, atleast covering two meals a day.
Also, I'm a law student, girl ain't got time to jump from one shop to another to make sure I got everything on my grocery list. I need a grocery store where I can walk to, not spend much of my tight student budget, and make sure they have everything in stock that I need for the week.
Your Future Proof is great and I hope that you explore more about Jeff Bezos. Whole foods might have a great local source but I can't justify buying there just because the food it's organic or local. Knowing that is own by Amazon and how they treat and treated their employees during covid 19 and knowing the Amazon business model. I would have liked to hear your comments about that on this video.
@@SilverSamurai12 Agreed 100%. I don't judge people that does the groceries at Wallamart or Superstore. I have the luxury or choose to follow a similar lifestyle as Leah and Levi. They made a video about WF, it's worth mentioning who owned and their business model. It won't take more than 10 seconds to mention it.
WF has a more affordable store chain, it called 365. It stocked mostly with their generic in house brand. It definitely has less choices than a standard WF, but if you on a budget it a good place to go to.
I really appreciated this video and look forward to checking out your other video. While my city has a local coop and Sprouts (grocery store similar to WF that’s.. not owned by Amazon), I frequent WF more because it’s so close to my home. My eco anxiety goes back and fourth- do I spend a LOT to buy the products but be local, or to spend less and not Amazon but carbon footprint to drive or do I drive very little and spend sort of less. While I hope to transition away in future, it’s practice over perfection in my mind. I will say WF produce has lasted me WAY longer than any other generic grocery store in my area.
Local, first, seasonal to help... BUT the bigger chain can give a larger wider choice. And as commented below, take a maybe once a quarter visit to the big box shop, but local produce, local shop as much as poss.
Whole Foods is hard because most people and families can't do their weekly shopping there. It's expensive and for some out of reach. I go when I want something really specific, like hot food or boxed water, or these frozen lemonade pops😋 but they do have a good selection and sales do pop up on popular stuff. I'm an Amazon prime subscription user, so sometimes I can get a little extra off too. But not enough to dent my budget and justify my full shopping, which is something I have noticed when I go. Not many people are making what most think of as "groceries", you know? Like maybe a bottle of wine, some veggies, maybe a pack of chicken. But they aren't filling up a whole shopping cart and spending large amounts. Sometimes a Walmart or a Target is better for some things 🤷🏾♀️
I usually go to wholefoods only for like 'treat yoself' moments where I get the expensive cashew cheese I love. Recently, I had to isolate for a few days since my partner had covid and being able to get quality, plant based food - even the specifics- delivered was a large sigh of relief, even if it is because of Amazon (who we don't love). That all being said, I use Trader Joes and the farmers market usually or Farm Boy if I'm back home in Ontario - currently in NY!
I am also on a budget anf I feel like shopping at outlet grocery stores is a good option. It might still be in plastic but it is better that food not get wasted than it get thrown away!
Levi and Leah, Will you be doing a video at some point to address why you like vegan, plant based foods and an in depth comprehensive dive into the manufacturing, processing etc of plant based products? Some of your viewers like myself may be wondering why one would prefer to choose something labeled plant based(what plant/s? exactly) versus a product whose ingredients are labelled with produce most people are familiar with and can pick up at most of their grocery stores. The other question would be how much(what percentage) of plant based products are formulated in a laboratory to look like the traditional food item and conversely what percentage is made 100% from plants grown in soil or hydroponically from seed to full mature plants? Some viewers may be wary of currently adopted widespread marketing that appears to be the latest consumer fad…
I have to drive at least 2 towns over to grocery shop. I've never tried Whole Foods because it seemed so inaccessible, but we may check it out and see if it's really any different than the stores we already shop.
I’d love to host the two of you for a visit so you can experience Wegmans grocery stores. Also, I’m sure you could teach me a few more ways to be more sustainable. Why I think you’d love Wegmans: they carry local & organic produce, they’ve had bulk bins since the 1980s, they’ve even started their own organic research farm. They’re also consistently voted a top company to work for, so they’ve got that whole “value their employees” thing going for them, too.
I would love to hear your opinion on the Amazon factor of Whole Foods. Where I live Whole Foods is a good option for low packaging, bulk and organics but since it’s been bought by Amazon I have questioned whether it is ethical to shop there. Thanks for the video!
Thank you for recognizing there IS privledge that cones with Whole Foods and theike. Too many veg and vegan creators tend to forget this and it is EXTREMELY off putting to those of us who are low Income, but tryin to do better about their health. I can't run out and be only vegan or vegetarian, it's not economically feedable, but I watch for info and insperation and it's nice to feel welcome.
I think Whole Foods is so popular is that it is so widespread and the only option for a lot of health-minded people. It has also been around from the beginning of the allergen-free movement, which is why my family shop there a lot. It was our only option for a while, and now we can get a lot of stuff pretty much anywhere. It is also convenient as you can get almost everything in one store, although not always particularly affordable. You can often get stuff cheaper at various other stores if you shop around, but some stuff is pretty cheap, mainly their 365 brand items. I feel like Whole Foods, while advertising and carrying local, organic produce and such, is more health-minded not environmentally minded, although there is overlap. It has a very particular demographic of white, often upper middle class, very health-minded people, especially women (as you could probably tell by their extensive beauty section...). Where I am, there are less local produce, although they try and they do have more than many stores. Then again, there aren't many farms near us that grow produce for humans, mostly just industrial corn (Chicago area). Also, at least at my local store, there are just as much non-organic produce and food as organic, sometimes/often more. Thank you for this video, it definitely made me think a bit harder about Whole Foods, which is good since we have shopped there for so long. I have become less comfortable with that store/chain, especially since Amazon bought it out (as I mentioned on the Futureproof video), but even before then. With the rise of good options elsewhere, I am trying to phase away from shopping there when I can, although there is still a lot that I need to get there, or is cheaper (like canned beans, a staple for us). The prices for most things seems to have gone up quite a bit, and it with more options elsewhere it is no longer the only or even cheapest place to get our groceries.
This is such a great video! I imagine there are lots of Whole Foods in the US but sadly none in Alberta :( Have the two of you tried SPUD Delivery? Or do you Save on Foods in Victoria? I feel like those are two other great options!
Save on is our middle of the road grocery store. Decent prices, decent selection, pretty easy to find haha. We haven’t done spud but we’re definitely curious about it!
I'd be interested in your perspective on how the environmental impact of a plant-based egg replacement in plastic packaging compares to chicken eggs. I know plant-based is better for the environment but I often wonder how processed, highly packaged plant-based foods that are marketed as replacements for the animal-product equivalent stack up.
I have a wholefoods down the street from me, and I try to shop there only for specialty items that I otherwise couldn’t get from the local grocer. Leah’s point of view was *chefs kiss. It’s almost a guilty feeling shopping there because there’s this air of elitism inside Wholefoods.
I love being in an area with Fresh Thyme. They have affordable and quality foods without the stink of Amazon. Though they are partially owned by Meijer...
you talked about a takeback program of plastic in the supermarket. but is recycling not a thing in canada? Here in the netherlands there are different bins that you throw your thrash in and the city empties them and takes care of the recycling
If only there was a Trader Joe’s in your area I would love to see your minds explode when you see the amount of excessive plastic packaging for the most unnecessary things. 🙃 It’s one of the most affordable places to buy organic, decent quality food, especially here in NYC, but it kills me every time I walk inside.
I wish we had a whole foods and/or the smaller store you shop at in Victoria where you’re able to bring your own containers for refills. What specific reasons beyond the driving distance do you not find yourselves shopping again at whole foods?
i'm relief, i thought it was a video "aboot" weird leah's hat 😅. I Start my job at 4am in a french huge supermarket. Too bad i can't make a video "behind the scenes", Its unbelievable! you have to be fast in order to put products on shelves, and you can't imagine the food with throw away everyday! Have a good one fellow Canadians. The French Stalker, Jerome 😋
Cool video. I've only been Whole Foods a handful of times, but like you touched on, the prices are pretty much the same as a small, local mom & pop organic shop that I've always thought why bother? I'd rather support small business. Bezos doesn't need another spaceship. To be fair though, the ones I've been to (Toronto and Vancouver) had very little Canadian product (I suppose WA and OR could be local if you're in BC) so it was a big reason I've walked out with almost nothing. I generally go to a small local organic chain here in the GTA called Organic Garage. While they have a decent selection of organic stuff, my gripe is that there is so little local produce. Ah well, at least the meat is from local sustainable farms though. Anyways, keep at it! :)
Hey guys! I'm an ESL teacher/writer based in Galicia (Spain) and I would love for you to go online and compare the food that you're able to get versus what we here have, Mercadona, Carrefour, Lidl, Aldi
If I can`t get somewhere by public transport or on foot it is off limits to me and my shopping trolley So in my city there are "out of town" supermarkets I have never been to in 14 years.
I always appreciate you mentioning privelege when talking about food choices, two CSAs in our area have a sliding scale and donate some bundles, a initiative that is a big solution to access to healthy organic food for all. Also just egg is bomb, if it was cheaper, healthy and package free I would eat it everyday but its none of those things lol I know you wanted to go to whole foods because you thought it would be accessible for people but there is actually not very many in Canada, I believe none in the maritimes or sk or man.
Whole Foods was kind of a once in a while store before the pandemic. There’s a local place by us that literally is called “SS Natural” it has most of the stuff you’d find at Whole Foods, but it’s a short walk from home (they have a second location out on Long Island too). There are surprisingly no Whole Foods unless you go to Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn… I guess the rest of the city is 🤷♂️ to them? The one thing I can’t find anywhere else is real Sri Racha sauce from Thailand, only Whole Foods seems to sell it (spur chilis, orange in color… that Rooster brand has a lot of oddball chemical ingredients, the stuff from Thailand has a much shorter ingredient list.) Just Eggs are great, there’s a Bulgarian dish called Mish-Mish if you can find a recipe, though it’s just chopped red and green peppers, plum tomatoes, and vegan feta (close enough to the Sirene cheese used in the original recipe, since that’s like super duper specialty store stuff, and there’s no vegan version as far as we know) and a little bit dried green herbs as garnish (parsley or savory work best).
Random question: one of the products you recommended was David's natural toothpaste because it tastes better than other natural toothpastes. What other brands have you tried? Have you tried Dr. Brite? I'm about to do some experimentation of my own so I'd love to have your opinions as a starting point!
We've done tabs (Toothy tabs I believe they were called) and didn't love it. I know there's a company called Bite that other creators love so hopefully that helps?
I live in a third world country, so to me Whole Foods is on a different planet in terms of grocery stores. I absolutely love it, the same way any tourist loves stuff that isn't available in their home country. Great video!
CAREFULL: WholeFoods is owned by Amazon. And supporting amazon in anything is the worst you can do for the climate! Even if you eat a bit more local...
As an Austin native, Whole Foods was amazing when it was just a local chain that was basically like the better of the natural food stores. I went in recently and it was a big fact meh. Though I do know people that have worked there from the change to Amazon and they like it.
I wish I had a Whole Foods around me tbh. Pricey (for me at least) but they carry stuff I struggle to find. I have a tiny farmers market around me from June-October but other than that my option is Aldi... Loving you guys videos btw!
Fresh prep looks like a good option for some who have busy lives and/or limited skills for putting together their own meals without too much waste each week. What is the cost for someone considering fresh prep?
Is Whole Foods overrated? Obviously, they charge excessively for goods that in some cases are widely available and much cheaper in the US but for some reason just aren’t in Canada. Combine that with the snootiness. I will admit though that I’ve on occasion eaten at their in store food offerings when that was still a thing (I have no idea if those are back now with COVID-19 protocols)
I do agree that local, plastic free and quality foods in general should be both accessible and affordable for all budgets to shift towards as a regular weekly/biweekly shop.
I just LOVE how clear and transparent you are. your explanations on the sustainable budget and telling that this was your job were absolutely need and make people think on that in a rational way. I just love the work you made. thank you so so much.
You are so welcome! We're trying our best here! haha
The tiny baskets are the solution to shopping on a budget - “this basket limits you to $10 worth of stuff!” 😄
Leah i appreciate your honesty when you said you feel slimy that you liked the shopping experience because I have the very same feeling. I’m also that white woman with some privilege and I can also see how curated it is to my demographic.
We didn’t shop there much before because of pricing but since Amazon purchased whole foods, we try not to shop there unless there’s something specific we can’t seem to get anywhere else.
With regards to packaging, I’d be curious if all the produce really is package free or if it just gets disposed of before being put on the shelves. Obviously all produce has some packaging but I wouldn’t be surprised if whole foods goes that extra step to make it “feel” like you’re shopping package free. It’d be great to hear from an employee.
supporting amazon in anything is the worst you can do for the climate! Even if you eat a bit more local...
Produce arrives to the store in vented cardboard boxes. It is recycled in our cardboard compacter and picked up.
The shopping experience isn't catered to white people, it's catered to people who have extra money to spend. You're supposed to feel like you're shopping at a "nicer" store. In many ways, they are genuinely nicer.
Yes I'm an employee
Leah’s ‘ooh lavender soap’ cracked me up - I completely get that. Also, as others have said, your level of transparency & honesty in everything is brilliant. 💚
Thanks for the comment and your nice words. Glad you appreciate it!
Levi: I'm creating a separate channel to pick apart brands.
Levi the very next week: Is whole foods overrated?
The full video for it is on the Future Proof channel FYI
Whole Foods is usually really expensive and its owned by Amazon so I tend to avoid it. But every now and then they have a sale on something very specific and I consider it. Generally speaking though if I'm going to spend the extra money on nicer groceries I would rather it be the farmers market
same, I don't want to support Bezos, and I never order anything on Amazon.
Amazon owned, would never set foot in there but appreciate the video nonetheless. Just dont want places like WF putting your local places out of business.
Agreed. It was an interesting experiment but our dollars are better spent elsewhere for sure.
It's owned by amazon? I've never shopped there and now I never will. Thanks for the info.
What’s odd is being from Austin, TX it used to be a local business. We went there all the time growing up. Now we avoid it at all costs.
supporting amazon in anything is the worst you can do for the climate! Even if you eat a bit more local...
@@martinschmidt1652 agreed.
I’ve only shopped at Whole Foods a few times back when I was living in Toronto. I didn’t even realize that there was one here in Victoria. The other benefit of Whole Foods is that it’s a 1 stop shop which for some people (families) is critical. As someone who is childfree, I can spend a good chunk of my Saturday going from store to store but if you have a family that may not be realistic. I would like to see a video on how to shop organic and low waste on a student/senior budget to see what’s possible. One of the biggest sticker shock for me when I moved to the island was the cost of food.
Yeah that's a great point. It's going to be very interesting to see how things change when we start a family. 🤷🏻♂️
Girl if you don’t stop! People with kids do everything else they want to do. 90% of the time they are neglecting their kids anyway for social media, etc. They can drive around for what they need like the rest of us, and like real parents did back in the day.
Thank you for always bringing up that many sustainable options are not for the majority of folks and is a privilege. And that it needs to change. ❤️
Thanks for being here 🥰
Goodness, the clarity and honesty in your videos is SO refreshing. Thank you guys! Once again, another amazing video
Thanks so much! We're so glad that you enjoyed it!
I live in Europe so no whole foods here but I really enjoyed your video and have been enjoying your content for quite a few years now. Love your personality and that you try to help others by giving them different pieces of information. Thank you so much for this. Never stop ❤️❤️
Thanks so much for this! ❤️
I discovered Whole Foods in Dallas, TX, before they were "A Thing." Maybe the bulk bins are still out of service due to Covid, but that was my favorite thing about WF. In the late '90s, I'd never seen them before, and I loved being able to get just the amount i needed and try new things without having to invest in a whole container that might possibly just go to waste (not to mention the lack of packaging if you brought your own bags). I know bulk bins aren't much of a novelty now (and it sounds like you have that available right in your neighbourhood, so that's fabulous!), but for some of us, WF is one of the few (relatively) local places that has a decent range of food available in bulk without packaging. I was kind of surprised you skipped that part of the store.
There wasn't a bulk section in the store we were in from what we saw. It's a pretty new store though so maybe they've changed how they do things?
@@LeahandLevi I think Levi was standing the middle of the the bulk section aisle at 3:29
I work in a shopping center that has a Whole Foods so I stop by to grab lunch and other random things I need every now and then. They have a surprisingly good collection of items but honestly, I don't have the money to spend there. I do most of my shopping at Kroger/King Soopers but do appreciate what Whole Foods has and what they do
I live in the stix (northern PNW 🇨🇦)… we don’t have anything like this. It’s a stretch to find local food or package free anything… hence we have 2 veggie gardens and a greenhouse during the growing seasons. Whole Foods would be the type of store that I would visit if I was on a vacation (got siblings in your city) just to see it for myself. WoW… the price of food is sure on the rise, isn’t it? Thanks for the awesome vid and have a great day! 🌎💦Ⓜ️ary🍁
Thanks Mary! Enjoy the stix for us! 😜
For $81 that’s a shocking amount of food, I’m surprised! Maybe I’m just super used to crazy food prices these days, but stuff like that Just Egg can’t be cheap to make!
So true! The Just Eggs wasn't cheap. I think 6.99 before tax. Probably won't be buying it again but kinda neat to try!
Agreed! They said they were doing their standard grocery shopping as the experiment and I assume they do a “regular” grocery shop once a week. I think $40 per person is perfectly reasonable. On the low end even for those who prioritize spending more disposable income on food.
Its great how honest you guys are
4:17 ah yes. Important shots of all the organic produce. Glad to see you are a man of culture Levi.
🤷🏻♂️🙋🏻♂️😜
I like the way you keep it real- acknowledging that the food chain is something that is not accessible to many folks. LOL … they call it Whole Paycheck for a reason.
It's a 7 minute drive outside of downtown Victoria and has bus stops all around it and is the anchor of a major shopping area. Yeah definitely in the middle of nowhere.
This was a very interesting video. I especially appreciated the chat in the end and you admitting honestly that you are privileged in your options.
We don‘t have Whole Foods were I live, so that‘s not an option for me. I try to get my groceries as zero waste and local in my local supermarket as possible and occasionally drive to a organic store in town for more specific items (especially cleaning products or unpackaged soap). There‘s actually a zero waste store planning to open next year a few villages away and I am excited to see what they‘ll be offering
Thanks for this! Hopefully your zero waste store works out!
After watching this, I really miss going inside Trader Joe's to get their samples. And also Central Market to get their sandwiches for lunch (I use to work across the street from them). But I mainly grocery shop once a month at Kroger, I save money there with the deals they have. :)
Great video! I liked how you mentioned that the grocery haul was a business expense. I guess you didn’t want to take the bus though? Lots of bus stops in that area because it’s surrounded by a hub of stores. Can’t wait to hear what you think of the egg-like product.
Agreed, I enjoyed the video and no shame in driving to get groceries but it’s also literally right on the city’s biggest protected bike lane (
Haha yeah we could have biked but it was a gross day and we’re not keen on biking in the rain. Lol also we took the car because for two of us to take the bus back and forth is sadly more expensive than us sharing a car. Plus then we don’t have to carry all the bags you know? But this is a great point!
@@LeahandLevi totally get it! I don’t own a car but the time I miss it the most is grocery shopping. I just think it’s fortunate that this store is so (comparatively) accessible for people who don’t drive.
@@LeahandLevi wow. Impressive that the car is cheaper than two people taking the bus. Neat service. I don’t have a car, so maybe this is worth checking out
Trying to do this had to be fun / challenging! Great video!
Is there a zero waste meal prep option like fresh prep in the US? I'd love to try it if you know of one. Also great video love this content and the new channel as well! :)
Love all the nuance in your commentary 🤩
We’re trying! 🥰
hey guys!
love your videos! 😊 I also subscribed to Future proof when you launched it but I just wanted to let you know that your thumbnails on the other channel stand out less than this one, and I have missed the whole food video... I now found it though 😉. Cheers!
Thanks for the info! We're always trying new stuff so hopefully it gets better in the future!
Save on Foods has the Just Egg too. Whole Foods has a larger selection of alternative milk products and often on sale, so we drop in there as I with my milk allergy have a better selection for many items. They also have two vegan sandwiches and the burrito bowls which make for a great lunch or light dinner. We've noticed some items are cheaper than Save on Foods or Root Cellar. Whole Foods is there when I go to the gym (Fitness World so yes driving) or on the way home by bus on the #26 to pick up. I'm picky about produce and get mine at Root Cellar due to carrying a lot of local (would like to compare...maybe a future video?). Hahaha--great comment Leah, and I agree, but they do have the BEST supplies, next to Toute de Sweet, for S'mores.
I was an occasional Whole Foods shopper (for specialty items) up until I had a kid with multiple food allergies. In the area where we live, there are no specialty shops within a reasonable distance. Whole Foods became the place where I could get everything in 1 trip.
And my 3-year-old would live solely on Just Egg if I let her…
loved this video! love spending saturdays with you both! thank you for the transparency, always great to see!
To Leah wondering what the little basket is: It is OBVIOUSLY a basket sapling. You plant it in the ground and it grows a bigger basket 😂(you have to plant it upside down, the handles are the roots)
My wife and I buy all our meat and part of our produce from whole foods. The other half is purchased from the Buford Highway Farmers Market, where my parents and many nationalities shop at for a reminder of home.
Splitting between the two helps keep cost down.
Love this! Keeping those local spots alive!
Happy to hear that. While foods does have a great quality meat selection from much smaller suppliers than their competitors.
I agree with all your sentiments! I like Whole Foods for getting some specialty items (for my husband, seafood for a super special occasion like my MIL’s birthday) but we have an amazing co-op in Albany, NY called Honest Weight that has an incredible bulk section and we can get just about everything we need package free. We’re so lucky to be able to have it available and that we can afford it since it’s not the cheapest option in our area.
I have a whole foods very close by driving and a smaller locally-owned natural grocery store within walking distance. When I need something specific that I know is only sold there, I visit the locally owned store out of principle. I've found that WF has a lot of the same stuff that Wegmans and Safeway has, just marked up. I was also hugely disappointed to see that WF got rid of their bulk section, so I have pretty much no reason to go there now.
Thanks for sharing! Having never been in Whole Foods before I can see the roots of some other co-op style grocery stores that it inspired. It's too bad that it couldn't have retained some of its original appeal.
I hope they come out with something like fresh prep in the US! I’ve really been thinking about getting a meal prep service. I’m a student and it’s hard for me to plan and shop for meals that taste good and don’t require too many ingredients
I tend to only go to Whole Foods to buy Salmon or a specific type of vegetable or fruit I can't get at my local grocery store. It's a bit of a drive for me to get there too. I totally agree with Leah and feel the same way- I hate how much I feel so comfortable when I go in there! Ha!!
Haha it’s a weird sensation! Thanks for leaving a comment!
I've shopped there for close to a decade. They carry Alaffia soaps, Indian herbal toothpastes, clean cat food, cultured wheat tortillas, heirloom tomatoes, Romanesco, hard kombucha, organic spices and all kinds of interesting and rich foods, such as the organic coconut kefir I've been enjoying recently. I don't buy everything I eat there; that would be absurd, but they've been a staple for years now because of their quality and the wonderful unique products they carry.
The whole foods you went to is right next to the galloping goose trail! Makes it very easy for me to bike there:) I try not to drive anywhere
Yes that is true!
I love Leah’s outro thing :) makes me smile every time :)
I really appreciate this video and taking privilege into account when making the decision to shop there or not.
I originally avoided shopping there due to their high prices/bad vibes, but I openly boycotted Whole Foods and really limited my shopping at Amazon as much as possible because of the damage they did in my home city, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US. Whole Foods already had a store in one of the most popular shopping/residential areas that was already super gentrified, but they didn’t have the biggest parking lot, so they decided to buy a plot of land only a few streets over to build a multi-level store with a parking garage. The major problem was that their perfect new location was actually the site of a large, older apartment complex that housed disabled and lower income residents. Even though we protested, boycotted, and residents/leaders openly called for them to choose another location, they only addressed criticism and tried to back track after the occupants were already displaced (in a city where it’s difficult to find housing period, let alone affordable and accessible housing) and the building was torn down. They finally started construction of the new site this year after years of giving our city the runaround. While we do have issues with food insecurity in certain neighborhoods due to stores/markets closing, putting in expensive grocery stores and further gentrifying areas isn’t the solution. Here are some articles with more details about this controversy:
www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/affordable-housing-advocates-to-boycott-pittsburghs-whole-foods/Content?oid=1945579
newpittsburghcourier.com/2019/05/23/whole-foods-in-a-battle-with-penn-plaza-supporters/
pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/05/03/whole-foods-east-liberty-project-controversy/
Also, as someone who has complicated dietary restrictions (I’m lactose intolerant and can’t eat gluten), I do appreciate stores like Whole Foods that provide so many allergy/food sensitivity-friendly options. I’m grateful that vegan and gluten-free diets are more popular theses days because I’m able to access food I can eat at most local grocery stores and some restaurants, but I know I have the privilege of choice (on top of me being a college educated, financially stable, cis het mixed white/Native woman) and the money to be able to buy these foods, which are generally way more expensive than "regular’ ones. Whole Foods is gross all-around between their unethical business practices and shaming of people who don’t fit their ideal customer (see their super toxic co-founder, John Mackey).
Ugh that is so sad to hear. It sounds like the "walmart effect" isn't just for walmart. I hope you find a balance that works for you!
Yeah, My mom likes to grocery shop at whole foods, though, not as much as she likes Costco.
I think that it's able to provide organic groceries to people at a certain level of scale but as your Future Proof video points, out, it's since been part of the "Big Grocery" industry
There's a Whole Foods very near to where we live. I'd never do my regular shopping there, but for certain specialty items, it's the only place i can purchase them in person in the area
Yeah I think this is the only real perk IMO. They just have a bigger selection than smaller stores can afford. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Agreed. I live in a mid-sized city in the states and have 3 Whole Foods within 6 or so miles of me. But I go only for specialty items I can’t get elsewhere.
This was a nice watch! I value your honesty and transparancy, there is no Whole Foods in Sweden but still interesting to watch the video if they should ever decide to branch out to my part of the world. And no need to feel slimy Leah! It does look like a good experience shopping there, grocery stores should feel fresh and inviting for every demographic, not just people with more disposable income :) There is no shame in enjoying a curated shop.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I've been a few times, but not much.
Around DC area we have Mom's Organic Market that I can drop off my compost bags and do some bring your own container shopping.
Though I'm jealous of that zero waste shop y'all have up there haha
That is awesome! Gotta support those local options!
Yay Leah in the credits!!....now I hit subscribe 😊 (I haven't had a chance to watch the decluttering one yet probably happened in that video....but food over clothes!! LOL)
Thanks a lot for making this video. The idea was clever. A good part of the video was about how privileged you are for being able to shop as you do but you did not spend much time giving detailed objective review of how good Whole Foods is. The thing is that affordability is not a concrete thing. Yes, some people may have only 20$ to spend on a grocery haul and some other people may not care about the cost at all but there are also some people in the middle. People who may be able a good amount if they are sure it is worth it. Giving objective review helps this group. For example, you could have compared the price, packaging and quality of some grocery items you usually buy at your local store that other people are also likely to buy.
Shopping in my area of Colorado tends to be a mixed bag of stores. Whole (Paycheck) Foods is something I used to spend waaaaaaaaaay too much money on. My regular grocery store has organic and local options so they value proposition isn't there for me at whole foods.
I reduced my spending at whole foods a couple years ago and calculated that by doing so I saved over $1000 USD. I ALSO put myself on a strict shopping list when I do go for those special items I can't find elsewhere. So in the end Whole Foods is just the specialty store where I get some items I can't find elsewhere. Costco and King Soopers are my go to stores.
5:07 They sell Vegan Just Egg (that same product you found in whole foods) at some Save on Foods locations. I’ve seen one at the king George hub in Surrey recently when I went to visit. Fun fact, at the king George hub there’s also a Jollibee
Nog showed up in our local Save On in Langley in late September! This situation is getting out of hand...
From the video you showed inside Whole Foods, it looks like our Save On actually has a similar selection of plant-based products and local/organic produce, but I wonder if that's just because Langley is near Vancouver and near farms? Not sure about other Save On Foods. Spread 'Em also has a really great nut-based "cream cheese".
"Go and check it out - it's one of my favourites [of two...]" 😅
Loved the Fresh Prep as an easy and fun way to create a meal together with guests. Also, usually learn a new meal idea!
Here in (North-Western) Germany, we have Temma (Tante/Aunt Emma, which are "Mom and Pop shops") supermarkets, that seem like the equivalent of Whole Foods. We go there on a regular basis, but since "regular" supermarkets carry quite a selection of organic foods, too, the regular kind make up the bulk of our food shopping, as we can go there without driving ...
That sounds lovely tbh. There seems to be a vastly different cultural relationship with those smaller markets in the EU than in north america from my experience. Thanks for sharing!
Great video! I had to laugh at your comment describing wholefoods as being in the middle of nowhere though. As a local, I disagree lol I'm glad your future proof channel came up as a recommendation. Love your content :)
Thanks for being here Stacey!
4:55 I bought a Kleen Kanteen mug and thermos at the Whole Foods near me in New Jersey, US. I was always wondering "what if I held out, I could have a HYDROFLASK!" But now that I've seen your content I feel a lot better about owning Klean Kanteens and now will double down on it moving forward :)
I've been so torn. I just moved across the US and haven't found a ton of places to go for sustainable shopping (plus becoming a student again so funds are limited). Whole Foods always looked enticing to shop at, but luckily there is a co-op here that I need to check out.
Good luck!! Whole Foods is a solid backup you know?
I live in Detroit Michigan. I am a senior citizen on Social Security. I actually really love Whole Foods, they do accept food stamps which helps. That being said they are not budget-friendly. If you have Amazon Prime you get discounts on some items, but you cannot beat the freshness and quality of some up their Foods.
Thank you for acknowledging that your experience is not always a reality for MANY people. And i always appreciate transparency about money in monetized content bc it's easy to forget that this is your job, not necessarily life. I used to work at a Whole Foods and definitely saw a specific demographic being the majority of our shoppers. The company had their heart in the right place, but some of their sustainable systems fell through. I don't want to support them now that amazon bought them out 🙄
honestly though, law student here, even though Whole Foods is under the Amazon corporation, it is hands down my favorite supermarket in the US. Buying local is not a option for me at the moment, due to lack of access to a car and farmer market not really being a thing in my industrial area of NJ. The other grocery stores in my area are just not as affordable as I find Whole Foods to be, and mainly require me to purchase products in single use plastic. I wish you explored more of their 365 products, their store brand products. Their quality is usually great, always affordable, usually certified organic and GMO free. ALSO, discounts could often be added with a prime membership, which I have through my university. Again, it is an Amazon corporation so ideally, I would love to avoid it. But I usually purchase double the amount that you've shown and spend about $100 a month on groceries, atleast covering two meals a day.
Before anyone ask, I do intermittent fasting and try to stick to an exclusive vegetarian diet, so I'm not really spending on meat.
Also, I'm a law student, girl ain't got time to jump from one shop to another to make sure I got everything on my grocery list. I need a grocery store where I can walk to, not spend much of my tight student budget, and make sure they have everything in stock that I need for the week.
Your Future Proof is great and I hope that you explore more about Jeff Bezos.
Whole foods might have a great local source but I can't justify buying there just because the food it's organic or local. Knowing that is own by Amazon and how they treat and treated their employees during covid 19 and knowing the Amazon business model.
I would have liked to hear your comments about that on this video.
A lot to cover in a single video sadly. There's always more to talk about but I think it's safe to say we're not pro-bezos obviously lol
A LOT of big companies have treated their employees terribly. The Westons (Loblaws chain) here in Canada are no better...
@@SilverSamurai12 Agreed 100%. I don't judge people that does the groceries at Wallamart or Superstore. I have the luxury or choose to follow a similar lifestyle as Leah and Levi.
They made a video about WF, it's worth mentioning who owned and their business model. It won't take more than 10 seconds to mention it.
WF has a more affordable store chain, it called 365. It stocked mostly with their generic in house brand. It definitely has less choices than a standard WF, but if you on a budget it a good place to go to.
I really appreciated this video and look forward to checking out your other video. While my city has a local coop and Sprouts (grocery store similar to WF that’s.. not owned by Amazon), I frequent WF more because it’s so close to my home. My eco anxiety goes back and fourth- do I spend a LOT to buy the products but be local, or to spend less and not Amazon but carbon footprint to drive or do I drive very little and spend sort of less. While I hope to transition away in future, it’s practice over perfection in my mind.
I will say WF produce has lasted me WAY longer than any other generic grocery store in my area.
Local, first, seasonal to help...
BUT the bigger chain can give a larger wider choice. And as commented below, take a maybe once a quarter visit to the big box shop, but local produce, local shop as much as poss.
Whole Foods is hard because most people and families can't do their weekly shopping there. It's expensive and for some out of reach. I go when I want something really specific, like hot food or boxed water, or these frozen lemonade pops😋 but they do have a good selection and sales do pop up on popular stuff. I'm an Amazon prime subscription user, so sometimes I can get a little extra off too. But not enough to dent my budget and justify my full shopping, which is something I have noticed when I go. Not many people are making what most think of as "groceries", you know? Like maybe a bottle of wine, some veggies, maybe a pack of chicken. But they aren't filling up a whole shopping cart and spending large amounts. Sometimes a Walmart or a Target is better for some things 🤷🏾♀️
Curious about shopping at Walmart organic section???
I usually go to wholefoods only for like 'treat yoself' moments where I get the expensive cashew cheese I love. Recently, I had to isolate for a few days since my partner had covid and being able to get quality, plant based food - even the specifics- delivered was a large sigh of relief, even if it is because of Amazon (who we don't love). That all being said, I use Trader Joes and the farmers market usually or Farm Boy if I'm back home in Ontario - currently in NY!
We need a 'low waste groceries on a budget video'!! I live in a small city in Saskatchewan with less than 30,000 people and don't have many options
I am also on a budget anf I feel like shopping at outlet grocery stores is a good option. It might still be in plastic but it is better that food not get wasted than it get thrown away!
Levi and Leah,
Will you be doing a video at some point to address why you like vegan, plant based foods and an in depth comprehensive dive into the manufacturing, processing etc of plant based products?
Some of your viewers like myself may be wondering why one would prefer to choose something labeled plant based(what plant/s? exactly) versus a product whose ingredients are labelled with produce most people are familiar with and can pick up at most of their grocery stores. The other question would be how much(what percentage) of plant based products are formulated in a laboratory to look like the traditional food item and conversely what percentage is made 100% from plants grown in soil or hydroponically from seed to full mature plants? Some viewers may be wary of currently adopted widespread marketing that appears to be the latest consumer fad…
I love grocery store adventures. ❤️😁
I have to drive at least 2 towns over to grocery shop. I've never tried Whole Foods because it seemed so inaccessible, but we may check it out and see if it's really any different than the stores we already shop.
I’d love to host the two of you for a visit so you can experience Wegmans grocery stores. Also, I’m sure you could teach me a few more ways to be more sustainable. Why I think you’d love Wegmans: they carry local & organic produce, they’ve had bulk bins since the 1980s, they’ve even started their own organic research farm. They’re also consistently voted a top company to work for, so they’ve got that whole “value their employees” thing going for them, too.
That sounds amazing! We've never heard of them before but if we see them we'll have to check it out!
I used to work here and a huge part of their customers base and staff actually bike because it right off the galloping goose trail. :)
I would love to hear your opinion on the Amazon factor of Whole Foods. Where I live Whole Foods is a good option for low packaging, bulk and organics but since it’s been bought by Amazon I have questioned whether it is ethical to shop there. Thanks for the video!
Do the best you can. 2021 nothing is produced ethically lol
Thank you for recognizing there IS privledge that cones with Whole Foods and theike. Too many veg and vegan creators tend to forget this and it is EXTREMELY off putting to those of us who are low Income, but tryin to do better about their health.
I can't run out and be only vegan or vegetarian, it's not economically feedable, but I watch for info and insperation and it's nice to feel welcome.
Down here in Bellingham they have some take back programs! They take back the glass bottles from a local dairy farm and give them back to the farm.
Love this! Bring back the milk man! haha
I think Whole Foods is so popular is that it is so widespread and the only option for a lot of health-minded people. It has also been around from the beginning of the allergen-free movement, which is why my family shop there a lot. It was our only option for a while, and now we can get a lot of stuff pretty much anywhere. It is also convenient as you can get almost everything in one store, although not always particularly affordable. You can often get stuff cheaper at various other stores if you shop around, but some stuff is pretty cheap, mainly their 365 brand items.
I feel like Whole Foods, while advertising and carrying local, organic produce and such, is more health-minded not environmentally minded, although there is overlap. It has a very particular demographic of white, often upper middle class, very health-minded people, especially women (as you could probably tell by their extensive beauty section...). Where I am, there are less local produce, although they try and they do have more than many stores. Then again, there aren't many farms near us that grow produce for humans, mostly just industrial corn (Chicago area). Also, at least at my local store, there are just as much non-organic produce and food as organic, sometimes/often more.
Thank you for this video, it definitely made me think a bit harder about Whole Foods, which is good since we have shopped there for so long. I have become less comfortable with that store/chain, especially since Amazon bought it out (as I mentioned on the Futureproof video), but even before then. With the rise of good options elsewhere, I am trying to phase away from shopping there when I can, although there is still a lot that I need to get there, or is cheaper (like canned beans, a staple for us). The prices for most things seems to have gone up quite a bit, and it with more options elsewhere it is no longer the only or even cheapest place to get our groceries.
Thank you for this comment! It’s such an important subject but hopefully this is just a small part of the conversation. 👍🏼
This is such a great video! I imagine there are lots of Whole Foods in the US but sadly none in Alberta :( Have the two of you tried SPUD Delivery? Or do you Save on Foods in Victoria? I feel like those are two other great options!
Save on is our middle of the road grocery store. Decent prices, decent selection, pretty easy to find haha. We haven’t done spud but we’re definitely curious about it!
I'd be interested in your perspective on how the environmental impact of a plant-based egg replacement in plastic packaging compares to chicken eggs. I know plant-based is better for the environment but I often wonder how processed, highly packaged plant-based foods that are marketed as replacements for the animal-product equivalent stack up.
I have a wholefoods down the street from me, and I try to shop there only for specialty items that I otherwise couldn’t get from the local grocer. Leah’s point of view was *chefs kiss. It’s almost a guilty feeling shopping there because there’s this air of elitism inside Wholefoods.
wow! I shop there everyday! Well, guess I’ll continue
I love being in an area with Fresh Thyme. They have affordable and quality foods without the stink of Amazon. Though they are partially owned by Meijer...
Love the Just Egg product, particularly the frozen version. Great work y'all.
you talked about a takeback program of plastic in the supermarket. but is recycling not a thing in canada? Here in the netherlands there are different bins that you throw your thrash in and the city empties them and takes care of the recycling
If only there was a Trader Joe’s in your area I would love to see your minds explode when you see the amount of excessive plastic packaging for the most unnecessary things. 🙃 It’s one of the most affordable places to buy organic, decent quality food, especially here in NYC, but it kills me every time I walk inside.
We’ll that’s too bad but it’s nice to hear they’re doing something right!
I wish we had a whole foods and/or the smaller store you shop at in Victoria where you’re able to bring your own containers for refills.
What specific reasons beyond the driving distance do you not find yourselves shopping again at whole foods?
i'm relief, i thought it was a video "aboot" weird leah's hat 😅. I Start my job at 4am in a french huge supermarket. Too bad i can't make a video "behind the scenes", Its unbelievable! you have to be fast in order to put products on shelves, and you can't imagine the food with throw away everyday! Have a good one fellow Canadians. The French Stalker, Jerome 😋
Cool video. I've only been Whole Foods a handful of times, but like you touched on, the prices are pretty much the same as a small, local mom & pop organic shop that I've always thought why bother? I'd rather support small business.
Bezos doesn't need another spaceship.
To be fair though, the ones I've been to (Toronto and Vancouver) had very little Canadian product (I suppose WA and OR could be local if you're in BC) so it was a big reason I've walked out with almost nothing.
I generally go to a small local organic chain here in the GTA called Organic Garage. While they have a decent selection of organic stuff, my gripe is that there is so little local produce. Ah well, at least the meat is from local sustainable farms though.
Anyways, keep at it! :)
Great suggestions! Support those local spots!
What brands should I check out that are local at Whole Foods? Looking to bring some back to Oregon
Hey guys! I'm an ESL teacher/writer based in Galicia (Spain) and I would love for you to go online and compare the food that you're able to get versus what we here have, Mercadona, Carrefour, Lidl, Aldi
If I can`t get somewhere
by public transport or on foot
it is off limits to me
and my shopping trolley
So in my city there are
"out of town" supermarkets
I have never been to in 14 years.
I always appreciate you mentioning privelege when talking about food choices, two CSAs in our area have a sliding scale and donate some bundles, a initiative that is a big solution to access to healthy organic food for all. Also just egg is bomb, if it was cheaper, healthy and package free I would eat it everyday but its none of those things lol
I know you wanted to go to whole foods because you thought it would be accessible for people but there is actually not very many in Canada, I believe none in the maritimes or sk or man.
Thanks for the comment! Haha our just egg experience was similar. 😅
Whole Foods was kind of a once in a while store before the pandemic. There’s a local place by us that literally is called “SS Natural” it has most of the stuff you’d find at Whole Foods, but it’s a short walk from home (they have a second location out on Long Island too). There are surprisingly no Whole Foods unless you go to Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn… I guess the rest of the city is 🤷♂️ to them? The one thing I can’t find anywhere else is real Sri Racha sauce from Thailand, only Whole Foods seems to sell it (spur chilis, orange in color… that Rooster brand has a lot of oddball chemical ingredients, the stuff from Thailand has a much shorter ingredient list.)
Just Eggs are great, there’s a Bulgarian dish called Mish-Mish if you can find a recipe, though it’s just chopped red and green peppers, plum tomatoes, and vegan feta (close enough to the Sirene cheese used in the original recipe, since that’s like super duper specialty store stuff, and there’s no vegan version as far as we know) and a little bit dried green herbs as garnish (parsley or savory work best).
Random question: one of the products you recommended was David's natural toothpaste because it tastes better than other natural toothpastes. What other brands have you tried? Have you tried Dr. Brite? I'm about to do some experimentation of my own so I'd love to have your opinions as a starting point!
We've done tabs (Toothy tabs I believe they were called) and didn't love it. I know there's a company called Bite that other creators love so hopefully that helps?
I live in a third world country, so to me Whole Foods is on a different planet in terms of grocery stores. I absolutely love it, the same way any tourist loves stuff that isn't available in their home country. Great video!
CAREFULL: WholeFoods is owned by Amazon. And supporting amazon in anything is the worst you can do for the climate! Even if you eat a bit more local...
Great video! Are there any net zero housing developments up in BC, similar to Geos in Colorado? That would be fun to see. :)
Good question! We have some cool projects here but I'm not sure about net zero. Just trying to deal with our own affordability crisis atm sadly...
I enjoy how the one channel compliments the other.
Glad you enjoy it! We won't be able to do this all the time but hopefully it happens every now and then!
As an Austin native, Whole Foods was amazing when it was just a local chain that was basically like the better of the natural food stores. I went in recently and it was a big fact meh. Though I do know people that have worked there from the change to Amazon and they like it.
i realy wish more supermarkets and brands in general would choose better packaging option if zero waste isn't an option
I wish I had a Whole Foods around me tbh. Pricey (for me at least) but they carry stuff I struggle to find. I have a tiny farmers market around me from June-October but other than that my option is Aldi... Loving you guys videos btw!
Yeah it's a struggle in most places but keep looking for those local options. A CSA or foodbox program might be nearby too.. 👍🏻
Fresh prep looks like a good option for some who have busy lives and/or limited skills for putting together their own meals without too much waste each week. What is the cost for someone considering fresh prep?
It's about $12 a meal which is pretty good considering the quality of the ingredients they use. 👍🏻
Is Whole Foods overrated? Obviously, they charge excessively for goods that in some cases are widely available and much cheaper in the US but for some reason just aren’t in Canada. Combine that with the snootiness. I will admit though that I’ve on occasion eaten at their in store food offerings when that was still a thing (I have no idea if those are back now with COVID-19 protocols)
I do agree that local, plastic free and quality foods in general should be both accessible and affordable for all budgets to shift towards as a regular weekly/biweekly shop.