do you believe it?

[Anonymous]

many of the non-organic chicken, beef or pork product in wholefood are marked "no hormones or antibiotics and grass fed"
I know there are a lot of procedures to get to organic and I need to pay more. but under current economy enviroment, I would compromise a little bit and get something still healthy, even not the best for my family.
so those products would the the ones that I go for. however, I have to ask is that true?
now I can get out of WF under $150. last week the grocery shopping I paid in wholefood for 2 adult and one 5 yr old was $200.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, but what is your question?

[Anonymous]

Simple: Don't shop at Whole Foods. You can get equally healthy options at much cheaper prices, pretty much at any other grocery store.

[Anonymous]

If you decide it's worth the money to pay for "no hormones"....Read the fine print carefully - some labels that say "no hormones" are included even on things that USDA doesn't allow their use in anyway (like i think chicken).

[Anonymous]

I think her question is do you believe the labels on meat that say things like "no hormones or antibiotics". I do believe the labels that say no hormones or antibiotics. I don't shop at Whole Foods, I shop at Wegman's but still believe these labels and purchase their chicken which is labeled like this. There was a whole article awhile back in the Washington Post regarding food labeling and what is regulated and what is not. Terms like "natural" are not regulated. But I believe that "hormone free" and "anitbiotic free" (or something in that vein) is regulated.

[Anonymous]

No which is why I purchase directly from local farms. There are zillions of local farms in the area.

[Anonymous]

OP here. thank you for rephrase the question for me.
for PP, so are you saying that local farms don't use this stuff and vegeterian diet? do you have a web site for those local farm or how do I find them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. thank you for rephrase the question for me.
for PP, so are you saying that local farms don't use this stuff and vegeterian diet? do you have a web site for those local farm or how do I find them

I visit the farms I get my food from and have seen their practices. I will not purchse food from a farm that does not allow visitors and does not have a transparent operation. A good farm will be PROUD of what they do and be happy to show it off and talk to you about it. I get all of my beef and chicken from Polyface Farm. They have buying clubs in VA & MD and do drop offs abouut every 6 weeks. I buy in bulk so I pick up from the farm. I have used other farms as well, but Polyface is a great one-stop shop for meat. I just did a pick up and have a few hundred pounds of beef, chicken, pork, and lamb in my freezer. It will last 18 months. I'm not against some form of human intervention and feeding a cow some grain, but ONLY to supplement in times of drought or something else that might threaten the heard. However I am against farming practices that disrespect the environment, abuse the animal, and that fester disease and filth. I personally believe that feeding as many people that exist on this planet in a purely organic way is completely impossible, but I do think that the way it is done on an industrial scale right now is very harmful and foolish.

http://www.polyfacefarms.com/default.aspx

[Anonymous]

11:56 poster here again. I just got back from Wegman's. Their "Food You Feel Good About" Chicken is listed as being antibiotic free, not hormone free. As another PP stated, I think that there are regulations preventing the use of hormones in poultry.

[cmkeough]

Okay I'm totally jealous of one of the PP's that lives near a Wegman's. LOVE that place. It's like a Whole Foods on steriods.

Question for the other PP about Polyface Farms. Approximately how much do you pay per pound for chicken & beef? Do you know what the rates are for delivered items? Sounds like a good alternative and if delivered hassle free.

IMHO Whole Foods is a great store. Some of the products are more expensive but oddly enough some are not. I can purchase baby food for far less than I can at Safeway for the same food even. Not to mention cereal (Puffins) and other items. Their meat selection and vegetable selections (and freshness) is far better and the food tastes a heck of a lot better than the crap I can get from Giant most of the time. I should say that I don't shop at Whole Foods as often as I do Safeway (Safeway is about 2 miles closer than WF) but it's a good store, little crowded at times but a great store none the less.

[Anonymous]

If you email Polyface and inquire about their buying clubs (I know there is definitly one in Arlington) they will send you price lists and how it all works.

Basically the prices vary on the cut you get. I buy mine in bulk so it is significantly cheaper than buying it by the cut. Whichever wayyou go, its cheaper than WFs and bulk is just as cheap or cheaper than conventional meats.

I buy my chicken whole, its too expensive to do parts alone. Anyways its better to use the whole bird. Less packaging, less processing, less energy.

[Anonymous]

I believe the "no antibiotics" just as much as I believe the "certified organic" - thus kinda.

You can buy "smart chicken" at Harris Teeter for way less than the similar type at WF.