Comments on: Let’s Talk About Whole Foods

By: Chelsea

Chelsea — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 22:27:52 +0000

Framework isn’t even complete….

By: jim

jim — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:40:50 +0000

Guys its coming I can promise you that. I’ve heard rumors of possibly being done in Nov. I have inside info and the deal is signed…trust me on this on..Look for it towards the end of the year..

By: Sherry

Sherry — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 14:07:37 +0000

This has been a very interesting thread! I work close to Classen Curve so a WF would be a great lunch time destination. I agree that its really a sad commentary on our city that there are no local markets anymore. There is, however, several farmers markets that offer good produce in the summer and there is a wonderful alternative in the Oklahoma Food Cooperative. Talk about supporting yoru local farmer! Local grocery stores may not be interested in buying from local farmers so what can you do? Buy from the directly through the Co-op. It only costs $51 to join. The online order cycle opens the 1st each month and you pickup your order the 3rd Thursday at your local pickup site. There are pickup sites all over the state! This is an amazing all volunteer organization with the goal to see locally grown food on every table in Oklahoma. Check it out at http://www.oklahomafood.coop. You won’t regret it, I promise.

By: david ball

david ball — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 23:27:46 +0000

interesting how louisiana is further down the list. i stopped at a non-descript grocery store in lafayette about 4 years ago, and was blown away when the pork section ALONE was bigger than the entire meat department at my local grocery store. i brought home about $200 worth of various goodies (coffee, boudin, tasso, wine, real grits, etc.). ahh, louisiana…

i find it astounding that you can’t walk into a grocery store ANYWHERE in this state and buy a fresh local tomato. oklahoma DOES produce tasty food locally, we just can’t seem to market anything besides barbecue sauce and salsa.

By: Slim

Slim — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:11:20 +0000

James here is the information for Wal-Mart Supercenter (only). I could not find the rest of the information for Sams, Neighborhood markets, discount stores, etc. If I come across it I will happily post is.

# 1 Arkansas: 22.309 per 1 million people
# 2 Mississippi: 18.486 per 1 million people
# 3 Alabama: 16.675 per 1 million people
# 4 Wyoming: 15.708 per 1 million people
# 5 Oklahoma: 15.22 per 1 million people
# 6 West Virginia: 14.861 per 1 million people
# 7 New Mexico: 14.52 per 1 million people
# 8 Tennessee: 14.422 per 1 million people
# 9 Kentucky: 14.377 per 1 million people
# 10 Kansas: 14.209 per 1 million people
# 11 Louisiana: 13.706 per 1 million people
# 12 Missouri: 13.62 per 1 million people
# 13 Iowa: 13.148 per 1 million people
# 14 Nebraska: 13.077 per 1 million people
# 15 South Dakota: 12.888 per 1 million people
# 16 South Carolina: 11.751 per 1 million people
# 17 Georgia: 11.463 per 1 million people
# 18 Texas: 11.33 per 1 million people

Interesting to say the least

By: Steven

Steven — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:28:11 +0000

James, your quoting the same lame arguments that have been rehashed. The fact is there are stores in Colorado, Texas (Dallas has dry counties), New York City, Philadelphia, Tulsa and other places that do not sell wine in their grocery stores, including WF. WE DON’T BUY THE LIQUOR EXCUSE, ALTHOUGH IT WOULD HELP.

By: James Ellison

James Ellison — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 00:43:19 +0000

Slim – don’t get me wrong I think it is great that there is citizen dialog (even though it is always the same few citizens weighing in), however, this is not “what it takes to get a decent grocery store in this city.” Changing our wine/liquor laws will be the first step…until that happens we will just merely be talking about Whole Foods, not shopping there. By the way;

As of January 2010, Walmart’s presence in Texas includes:
Supercenters: 298
Discount Stores: 40
Neighborhood Markets: 32
Sam’s Clubs: 72
Distribution Centers: 16

AND

As of January 2010, Walmart’s presence in Oklahoma includes:
Supercenters: 75
Discount Stores: 11
Neighborhood Markets: 17
Sam’s Clubs: 8
Distribution Centers: 2

By: Slim

Slim — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:46:48 +0000

James, the answer is a simple one. In Oklahoma City, there is more square footage of walmart per capita than any place in the entire world. Think about that for a second.

Grocery stores have been closing left and right in the city for 15 yrs. To be replaced by walmart neighborhood markets and supercenters.

Apparently this is what it takes to get a decent grocery store in this city. It’s too bad that you find it depressing. I, on the other hand, think it’s great that citizens can talk and wish for something and then the chatter gets so loud you can’t ignore it anymore.

I think this is a huge win for Oklahoma City.

By: James Ellison

James Ellison — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:34:46 +0000

I just wanted to comment on how depressing it is that a city of this size even has to have this kind of discussion and subsequent controversies over a grocery store. There is a reason why Whole Foods and others don’t want to be here…maybe it’s time someone just call their corporate offices and ask them for the honest answer.

By: Slim

Slim — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:53:40 +0000

James, the reason Whole Foods works is it has the distribution systems in place that insures each store get fresh organic produce. You can’t just go out and find organic farmers in this state that would be a to keep a local store like that stocked.

Have you been to Crescent lately?

If you had, you probably wouldn’t be saying that.