[BCN] Fwd: produce comparison between harvest and whole foods prospect street

[Karla Ellenbogen]

I have heard that the Whole Foods store on Prospect Street 
systematically prices their items below those of Harvest, in an attempt 
to force the co-op out of business. It isn't hard to do because Whole 
Foods is a big chain, which can afford to take some losses -- 
especially so since their workers are not unionized.

We do as much of our food shopping as we can with the Somerville Food 
Co-op SFC), which is not a store-front co-op like Harvest and orders 
directly from UNFI (United Natural Foods Inc.), so it's often cheaper. 
You might want to consider that as an option. (But SFC doesn't order 
lamb.)
-- Karla
On Jan 5, 2007, at 9:04 PM, Jeffrey Rosenblum wrote:

> I was surprized by this, just wanted to pass this info on to other
> coopers. I'm not sending this to discourage shopping at Harvest (I was
> on the Board for 5 years), just to encourage coops to get active in
> communicating their concerns to the Board.
>
> Jeff
> Bishop Allen Drive Coop
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Jeffrey Rosenblum <rosenblum.jeff at gmail.com>
> Date: Jan 5, 2007 8:58 PM
> Subject: produce comparison between harvest and whole foods prospect 
> street
>
>
> All--
>
> I'm catering a party for 100, and part of the menu is lamb (which I
> rarely cook), so I bought that at Whole Foods Prospect Street store.
> While I was there (I'm never there, I'm always at Harvest), I did some
> comparisons pricing of organic produce, and ended up buying all my
> produce there. I thought you might be interested in the difference,
> which surprized me quite a bit.
>
> Best,
> Jeff
>
>
> January 5, 2007
>
> All items are organic.
>
> item -- harvest price -- whole foods price
>
> leeks -- $4.89/lb -- $2.98/lb
> yellow onions -- $1.50/lb -- $1.98/lb
> red onions -- $2.39/lb -- $1.98/lb
> yukon potatoes -- $7 for 5lbs -- $3.98 for 5lbs
> parsnips -- $3.79/lb -- $2.19/lb
> carrots -- $5.99 for 5lb bag -- $4.49 for 5lb bag
> beets -- $4.29 per bunch -- $2.49 per bunch
> turnips -- $2.29/lb -- $1.98/lb
> parsley -- $2.19/bunch -- $1.49/bunch
> romaine lettuce -- $3.99 /head -- $2.49 /head
> dates -- $9.99/lb -- $7.98/lb
> arugula -- $2.99 /bunch -- $2.49 /bunch
> cilantro -- $2.99 /bunch -- $1.49 /bunch
> watercress (harvest did not have any)
> endive (harvest did not have any)
> local massachusetts boston-head lettuce -- $2.49 /head -- (harvest did
> not carry)
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