Whole Foods plans on creating a new set of organic rating standards that will be implemented by a third party for all food retailers. The 5 star system will focus on positive animal welfare conditions, sustainability for the environment, soil fertility, worker conditions and fair trade,
When asked about the dilemma in getting these expensive, nutrient rich foods to people with less money, Mackey didn’t think his answer through quickly enough and suggested people are getting wealthier and more should be able to afford organics. This led to boos and hisses from the passionate Berkeley audience. Quickly he changed directions and addressed the question quite well by saying, “If you are willing to cook, food is not that expensive, especially if you buy seasonally.” Approving applause followed.
Mackey summed up with “Whole Foods has many internal contradictions,” and reminded the audience that there is no blueprint to follow when running a corporation like Whole Foods, but “critics help us to grow.”
Pollan left the audience with an answer to the question he gets asked the most: What should I eat? “Let your food choices reflect your values.”
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