Working at Whole Foods?

[Fuhzy]

I want to get a job at Whole Foods (employees get 20% off all products!) but I am concerned that I would have to support the meat industry in some way. Whether it's stocking the shelves with meat products, etc. I am worried that I would be compromising my values. I would request to not work in the kitchen so I wouldn't have to make anything with meat in it, but I am trying to think of all the problems that could arise.

However at the same time working at Whole Foods would be supporting a company that supports vegan/vegetarian/organic foods, so it could also be good in a way to work there, right?

Ah confusing is the vegan life we lead...

[Pisces]

One of my best friends works at Whole Foods (she's also on this forum---Rosehips is her username---though hasn't been in a while). Unfortunately cons are everywhere. Though just as well there are pros. I prefer small independent shops personally, but am not a stickler to those who favour Whole Foods (which I feel neutral about). Ultimately, you should go with what feels right to you.

[KrissStress]

I had a six month stint a Whole Foods three years back and worked as a bagger...so really my only contact with animal stuff was putting it into a bag. Ultimately, of all of the major grocer chains, Whole Foods is the most sensible to find a job with. And they're really good to their employees as well, atleast from my personal experience. It's an environment that tends to be looser then places like Kroger or Food Lion anyway - I suppose that has something to do with the whole organic thing - people act more organic too I suppose...hahah

[ivandurago]

I plan on trying to get a job at one this next semester in Ft Collins
Although they do sell quite a few animal products, I don't think there are too many other jobs where you would be working at a place that sells that much locally grown vegan/vegetarian food, or contributes that much to the community.

I think a lot of times in vegan employment you will finding yourself deciding between the lesser of two evils, and I personally don't think Whole Foods is a bad choice.

[xrodolfox]

I posted about this in another forum, but I forgot some new info that really informs my opinion.

My wife, as a vegan, had to work at a seafood restaurant to make ends meet. It was what she had to do.

So do what you have to do that you can live with. The only person you need to answer to is yourself. Just make sure you can answer to yourself at all times, and you'll be fine.

This is not our decision to make. Only you know your own ethics, your needs, and what that balance means to you.

[LittleSeaWolf]

you can always work the registers and make gross faces at people with the slabs of meat on the belt... or comment(but im assuming u wanna keep your job).
I was just at whole foods the other day and the person at the register noticed all my vegan items and she got all excited and started asking me questions about some egg replacer i purchased.. if it was good and such. Then she gave me a handful of vegan recipe packets and a huge grin. So at least she made a felow veganite feel proud to be one. That's a plus!

[fondducoeur]

My best friend works at Whole Foods (she is vegetarian and mostly vegan) and says it is the best job she has ever had. Like other people have said they treat their employees very well, you get insurance after like a year, and the discount is excellent.

But, don't do something that makes you feel uncomfortable, but know that it is very difficult to find a job that is vegan in every way, or even in most ways.

[angelamc]

I was just at whole foods earlier today. I think it's a very pleasant work environment because all of the employees look happy and are very helpful. I think you should weigh the pros and cons of working there and try to imagine how you would feel in certain situations where meat was involved. If you don't feel too uncomfortable then I say give it a shot!