Two Food Titans Have At It

Food politics are complicated. Author Michael Pollan and Whole Foods CEO John Mackey have opened up a whole new chapter of food dialogue through a series of web-posted letters.  The two have been discussing the future of organics, sustainable agriculture, and what America is eating – and thankfully, they have been sharing their thoughts with the world.

Whole Foods Market is one of the world's largest retailers of natural and organic foods.  Pollan is an esteemed journalist and author who has been a long-time proponent of sustainable agriculture.  In Pollan's most recent book, The Omnivore's Dilemma, he is quite critical of Whole Foods Market for failing to use its position as an industry leader to support small and/or local farmers.   Of particular offense to Whole Foods, Pollan writes of its asparagus “My jet-setting Argentine asparagus tasted like damp cardboard. After the first spear or two no one touched it." Whole Foods Market contends that they have been at the forefront of the growing organic market in the United States, and support small farmers when they can do so feasibly.

How can the organic market grow, efficiently and conveniently, without selling out its founding principles? This is one of the major discussions in the food world today. No matter who you agree with, the dialogue opens up important questions about how we are eating and why. The entire exchange is available here on Whole Foods’ website.