Wednesday, May 17, 2006

I'm hate to announce this, but i'm breaking up with whole foods. As much as I love the new austin flagship store, the company has lost me. Why? Read this from the Washington Post:

SEAFOOD SALES

Wednesday, May 17, 2006; F03

ALIVE, ALIVE . . . NO

Whole Foods Market halted sales of live soft-shell blue crabs in its stores nationwide last week after receiving complaints of animal cruelty. The company said the move was in keeping with its commitment to the ethical treatment of animals. Whole Foods will still sell cleaned and frozen soft-shells.

In the Washington area, the new policy brought complaints from shoppers who want live crabs. "We know that [soft-shell crabs] are a big deal here," said Kevin McDade, the company's seafood coordinator for the mid-Atlantic region. "Some people don't understand why we are doing this."

Because soft-shells are best fresh, most seafood markets kill and clean -- or dress -- them at the fish counter.

For Whole Foods, the sale of other live crustaceans is in question as well. "We're looking at all live creatures, such as lobster and crayfish," said Kate Lowery, a corporate spokeswoman. "We want to be as compassionate as we can be."

-- Walter Nicholls

COME ON! Where do these people think their food comes from? Chicken isn't born boneless and skinless and cut into perfect little pieces. Nor does beef steak come in even portions. And don't get me started on sausage! I read that Upton Sinclair book!

I like to buy local. Most stuff I can't, so I buy as fresh as possible. Which doesn't include frozen versions when things are in season.

6 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Don't forget my tale of my husband being escorted out of that store by the management for taking photos of the produce arrangements!!

That being said, we are anxiously awaiting our new Whole Foods in Nashville due to our own beefs with Wild Oats...

4:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

and no pun intended on the beefs

4:10 PM  
Blogger jk said...

i don't know that story! you can share it here, if you'd like.

8:37 PM  
Blogger Nazila Merati said...

I'm not a fan of the crabs, but I can't believe that they would sucuumb to that.

I don't go there anyways, but now I definitely will avoid.

nm

9:23 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I can take the crabs or leave 'em too, nm, but I really have a soft place in my heart for bivalves...NOT!!

Ya'll've got most of the story really...my man was taken with the arrangement of the lettuces, was clicking away with his wide angle lens; the next thing he knew he was being escorted by the arm out of the Austin store. The manager said he had been observed on the camera and that in-store photography was not cool. Apparently she was not aware that she was escorting someone who was involved in violent campus protests in the sixties...I have had a heck of a time getting him back to Austin ever since.

11:02 PM  
Blogger jk said...

and he takes such great pictures, too.

some grocery store here, maybe wegman's, has a sign requesting that competitors register with the office before taking pictures.

i always see japanese tourists snapping away!

as for austin===i'll miss the store, but i really prefer central market north.

11:08 PM  

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