Whole Foods isn’t simply a store; it’s a universe unto itself. Boasting a selection whose breadth is equaled only by the wondrous rainbow diversity of its ever-engaging staff, Whole Foods is the place where refugees from and heirs to Berkeley’s hippie heyday mix harmoniously, whose meaning in life derives from constant explorations of Berkeley’s gourmet ghetto. Whole Foods recently became the country’s first nationally certified Organic Grocer, a voluntary certification program from Quality Assurance International. True, there are outlets where prices are lower — and other stores occasionally beckon when you need a bottle of bleach. But when all is said and done, Whole Foods remains the store with the broadest selection of food products that qualify as natural and organic.
Readers’ Pick:
Whole Foods Market