10/07/2016
We love and support our local natural food stores! Terra Firma Botanicals will not sell our products at Whole Foods.
Does a downtown Whole Foods Market serve the best interests of our community?
The criterion for the sale of public alleys to developers of a Whole Foods Market chain store at the entryway to our downtown is that it be “in the public interest.” Is it?
Eugene is already well served by six locally owned and operated neighborhood natural foods stores and a locally based chain of supermarkets that, like WFM, sells natural foods along with gourmet and conventional groceries.
Studies show that 3 to 5 times more money spent at local stores stays local. When large chain retailers move into town, they take business away from existing stores, resulting in a net loss of jobs. A WFM needs sales of over $100,000.00/day, 30% of that in their food service. This would endanger the new eateries that have invested themselves in our downtown and greatly harm local grocery stores. Furthermore, our quality of life and sense of connectedness is nurtured by the neighborly interactions we have at our local grocery stores. That feeling of community isn't found in formulaic big-box chain stores, such as WFM.
It is not in the public interest to drain money and jobs from our community and diminish our quality of life. I encourage the citizens of Eugene to share their thoughts about what is in the best interest of our community. Please email the mayor and city councilors or speak in person at their Monday forum.
Support the economic and social contributions of our local businesses.
Be vocal – keep it local!
GAVIN McCOMAS, Owner
Sundance Natural Foods
P.S. – For more information on this issue, visit the blog I created when WFM tried to get the city to build them a multi-million dollar parking garage in 2006 – keepitlocal.org