I’ve been somewhat critical of Whole Foods on certain topics, so here’s an opportunity to give credit where credit’s due.
The other night I went there for a few slices of pizza, mostly because it was on sale for half-price during September. I hadn’t realized it, but it was pretty late.
I became aware of that fact when the server told 
me that slices were two-for-one after 9 p.m. But he made my waste sensor even happier when he said another option was one slice for half-price (75 cents). Given the pizza sale, this meant that it’d be one-fourth of the usual (pricey) cost.
I’m praising Whole Foods is because they provide that choice. It’d be easy for them to stick with the buy one, get one offer because they’re looking to sell off their product by the end of the night. There’s no yesterday’s pizza for sale at Whole Foods or anywhere I’ve seen (even thought I’d be psyched if there was).
That’s why I’m even more appreciate that they offer the one slice, half-price option, as it doesn’t encourage overeating or waste. Of course, I plowed through two and considered a third, but that’s another story.
4 Comments
I don’t buy pizza by the slice so this is just a related comment.
In our local supermarket “2 for the price of one” always, insofar as I know, just means “half price”.
I can appreciate the consumer advantages of half price versus BOGO, but as it’s to get rid of the pizza what happens to the slices that don’t get “forced” into a sale? I love pizza so I would probably eat them each night myself if I worked there but I don’t know that’s actually the (best) solution!
Do you know what Whole Foods policy is for food waste from their deli? I know they have a huge selection at our store so I’d hate to know it all went in the trash.
It’s a conundrum. But I still love a good slice for 75 cents!
Janes’_kid–I’ve not found that to be the case, but that’s great for you if your store plays it that way. I have found that 5 for $5 means you can get one for $1.
Leigh–As far as I know, Whole Foods doesn’t donate any of their prepared foods. What they do with it varies by store. I’ve seen some composting, some giving it to farmers and some trashing. And based on the link in the post, I don’t think they’re keen on employees eating what’s left. I have talked to a WF worker who said they’re allowed to take some bakery excess home. But stores are much mroe hesitant with prepared foods…
I’d ask one of the employees as they’re getting ready to close. Then again, you may want to spare yourself the aggravation–they’re not likely getting this very edible stuff to anyone.
They sell their own brand of compost – at least in California. The packaging indicates it is made from recycled items within their own company. Go figure.