Photo: Rene Magritte, painted in 1950.
Where Oh Where BC Apples?
You won’t find ANY BC apples at Whole Foods (Park Royal). Reason: WF only buys apples conforming to a certain size and shape, all the same. ORGANIC BC apples do NOT conform to “same size and shape.” Nature has more imagination than that!
Remember the Joni Mitchell song “Big Yellow Taxi,” and the lines “keep the spots on the apples, but leave us the birds and the bees!” Well, ORGANIC apples are ONLY perfect when they’re NOT conforming to “same size, same shape” or look. Nature celebrates individuality, NOT “homoginality” (new word meaning “all the same”).
So, if you’re shopping at Park Royal in West Vancouver and want to buy “BC apples” (organic or otherwise), forget Whole Foods. ALL Whole Foods apples come from the US. NONE are from BC! [Of course other organic produce is available at Whole Foods, just NOT BC apples.]
If you want to support, not just US conglomerates but local merchants too, then add Kin’s Market (about 400 yards east of Whole Foods) to your list of providers. Kin’s Market has LOTS of BC ORGANIC produce, APPLES included!
You can bet when our new North Shore ORGANIC cooperative is up and running, there will also be lots of BC apples on the shelves. How do you like Them Apples?
[Editor’s Note (28/01/08): Whole Foods fans will be happy for this UPDATE from “Wholey Moley” (our Whole Foods corporate “insider”):
“Capers produce buyer, Mike Norrie, formerly Assistant Store Manager at the Dundarave (now closed) Capers store has accepted the position of Produce Merchandiser (read buyer) as of the end of last year (2007). I spoke with him over the Holidays. It’s definitely possible that, during that time, he made the necessary changes from the US suppliers (which are ALL Mike found available on arrival to Whole Foods Park Royal store).
Anyone can address this issue further by contacting Mike Norrie directly at Whole Foods (where he is now the “produce merchandise buyer”).
I would like to think that Whole Foods will purchase as much local BC produce as possible in ALL seasons. Only price and quality should prevent Whole Foods from doing that. I was not happy to see ONLY US apples available back then.
Fortunately, everything changes…sometimes even to the better! Keep those apples coming!”
[Editor’s Note 2: additional information from Adam S, excerpted from his comment (#9) below: ”I have checked the apples this week at Whole Foods and can see that most of them are NOW coming from BC, but NOT (unfortunately!) from Capers former small independent supplier farms. Those small “independents” will be missed, and I’m sure are missing Capers!”
I’m Canadian and I own stock in Whole Foods… what do you mean “Whole Foods is a US corporation profiting US shareholders only, pure and simple”. Kind of an ingnorantly [sic] broad statement don’t you think? Do any other of the thousands of Canadian shareholders want to lend their opinion?
I also know lots of local businesses, farmers and contractors that make quite a nice living from servicing Whole Foods and it’s customers and employees. Have you ever even been to one of their stores?
PS. I bought local organic apples there yesterday, and you’re right, they were big and perfect! Way nicer than I’ve ever seen at any Caper’s or Kin’s.
Thanks for your comments. All comments (and opinions) are welcome.
In fact, though, the “inside information” given to “Adam” comes from WF’s “corporate office.” All “Adam” remarks are accurate and store “policy.” And yes, “money talks.” No one disputes that, or that Whole Foods is all about “money.” Gross revenue for the Park Royal store was $30,000/hour during the Holiday Season.
PS. I love your spelling of the word “ignorant”! Words are so much fun.
Hi Adriane,
I work at Whole Foods in Park Royal and noticed some misinformation here on your site. All of the apples here at the store are Organic #1 grade, and all but one variety are from BC. Here is a list of some of the local apple varieties available here and the local farms that grow them:
Fuji – Mother Tree Farms/River Valley
Gala – J&G Farms
Red Delicious – Taylor Farms/Big Root Farms
Braeburn – J&G Farms
Granny Smith – River Valley/Sunshine Harvest
Ambrosia – Mennel Bros.
The only US apple on the shelves right now is the Organic Pink Lady. The BC supply has been completely sold through as of this week, and the only Organic Pink Ladies available are from the same growing region, but on the US side of the border. I encourage you to come to the store, or contact some of these local growers, and check your facts before posting.
Please get your facts straight. Your comment that Wholefoods doesn’t carry B.C apples is laughably untrue.
I shopped there today and not only are all the apples from B.C., the quality of them is fabulous.
Thanks for your comments, but an “insider” at Whole Foods (corporate office) provided the information that BC apples are not (currently) featured AND the reasons “why not”. I doubt the policy has changed since the weekend (but anything is of course possible). Facts are as “straight” as possible. But, it’s a blog, afterall. Opinions are welcome.
The more outlets for organic food on the North Shore, the better. I personally WELCOME all sources.
I shop all over Vancouver, in different stores offering organic food. But, with the exception of summer farmer’s markets (where produce is fresh off the trees!), I like best shopping for produce at Whole Foods in Park Royal. Yes, it’s a giant superstore with a big budget, but that’s good for selection. So, three cheers.
Just thought I’d comment on the produce at Whole Foods Park Royal. I shop at various grocery stores all over the Lower Mainland, and I have to say that the produce at Whole Foods is by far the best! I’ve always been impressed by the selection of local and organic products and the quality and presentation is matched by no other. I feel very lucky to have this market as part of our West Van community.
Whole Foods has over a dozen corporate offices here in North America and the UK, which one is your ‘insider’ from? Try contacting the one above the Kits store, they can give you any relevant info for the Vancouver area stores. Each region buys local produce from their respective areas, BC isn’t so local if you’re talking to someone from Texas.
I have checked the apples this week at Whole Foods and can see that most of them are NOW coming from BC, but NOT (unfortunately!) from Capers former small independent supplier farms. Those small “independents” will be missed, and I’m sure are missing Capers! I will try the Whole Foods Granny Smiths if they are not from Washington State.
Too bad about the small independents missing out. C’est la vie, huh?
By the way, when you provide apples (BC or not) with such mass, perfection and consistency, it takes all the fun out of discovery.
I like the offerings of small independent organic farms. You can choose an apple the shape , size and variety you wish. What if you wanted to choose a smaller apple for a child. Granny Smiths or Newtons are the healthiest because they support a more alkaline ph and are lower in sugar- perfect for getting children started on their way to healthy snacking.
If all of the apples are too massive, it will most likely prove too daunting and put a child off the snack. To purchase a smaller apple, you might then have to choose a different variety which may not be as healthy a choice or a variety which you favour.
Ces’t tout
[...] [See Editor’s Note 2 in “Them Apples.”] [...]