Whole Foods Market: A Whole Lot of Blogging Going On

Writing today’s post will leave me just enough time to run out to the grocery store and buy a few last minute items for this afternoon’s picnic by the lake.  But instead of a grocery list, I thought I’d make a quick list of the number of blogs currently supported by Whole Foods Market.

The most well-known blog is run by the CEO himself, John Mackey. 

In case you haven’t heard, Mackey’s blogging privileges were suspended last July by his company’s board and the SEC.  There were accusations that Mackey tried to drive down the stock prices of Wild Oats in order to take over the company.  He wasn’t accused of doing this through his actual blog, but rather by posting comments on Yahoo! Finance forums using the anonymous user name Rahodeb. 

The SEC has since decided not to pursue the matter and Mackey’s blogging privileges were returned last week.  His first post is an interesting article explaining why he considers what he did a “lapse in judgement, but not a lapse in ethics”.  As a business blogging case study – it’s worth some debate over the potato salad.

Whole Foods has several other blogs besides the CEO’s:  

Whole Foods Market Video Blog
This blog is comprised solely of podcasts that are about current issues relevant to Whole Foods, such as Compassionate Farming.  The videos are generally presentations, interviews and panel discussions by John Mackey and other corporate executives. 

Secret Ingredient Video Blog
This is a truly fun blog comprised of cooking videos - especially if you are like me and spend more time fantasizing about cooking than actually doing it! Check out one of my favorite videos Sopa de Jitomates y Rajas with Chef Rick Bayless (Roasted Tomato soup with Pobalnos, Oregano and Fresh Cheese).  The posts also include recipes if you are inspired enough to try it at home!!

Whole Green Blog
Another blog with fodder to promote lively discussions at your picnic table: this blog aims to share innovative ways to promote sustainability and help us all reduce our carbon footprints.  The topic might sound dry but I found a variety of interesting posts on topics such as downshifting, the concept of slowing down your pace and greening up your world – perfect goals for this coming Summer!

Be Good To Your Whole Body Podcast Blog
Speaking of slowing down, this weekly blog has posts about nurturing yourself using natural products to recreate spa treatments, aromatherapy and reduce allergies. 

Farm to Market Slide Show Blog
This fascinating blog uses slide shows to depict the stories.  According to Whole Foods they “hit the back roads and discover the stories of the people and places behind local and regional foods found in our stores. They travel the farm-to-market roads of the rural South and interview farmers and producers whose passion it is to produce the highest-quality, best-tasting product available.” 

Slide shows are an easier alternative to podcasts that allows you to merge photos with audio and share experiences with your readers. A not to miss summertime video is Miles Berry Farm in Baxley, Georgia, growing organic strawberries.

That completes the Whole Foods Whole List of a Whole Bunch of blog ideas that you can leverage in your own business blog:

•  a CEO blog
•  a media archive
•  short educational videos (viral!)
•  a blog promoting alternative uses of your products 
• a slide show of suppliers, partners and behind-the-scenes experiences

Which ideas are you going to try??

photo credit: Lamerie