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My Whole Foods experiences are unique within this class. The Whole Foods' which I frequent most are in the middle of two very urban industrial areas, in the hearts of Wall St. and Columbus Circle. This places Whole Foods at the center of business and luxury. Between the traffic jams, the excess of lights and pollution, the location does not add to that organic feel. It makes Whole Foods seem like all of the other surrounding businesses, big and expensive.
As Michael Pollan describes the modes of transportation for the food, and the fuel used, it's not really a surprise, it's just a validation for me. I often think people just don't think about it. They're not dumb, they don't think someone milked a cow right in the store to produce their fresh milk. They just never realized that the process through which they are getting their food adds to the industry they forsake.
I have nothing against veganism or vegetarianism, I tried the latter temporarily and it didn't work out. What I'm not fond of is those people who are either and become totally self righteous, shoving their beliefs down your throat and making you feel guilty about your lifestyle choices. They speak as if they are saving all of the animals and all of the fuel. They should gain a more worldly perspective before they make such claims. While I do not agree with everything Michael Pollan says, I'm glad someone has taken the time to do the research and publish the facts about the real differences between living organically, being a vegetarian, and being a vegan.