Not wanting toxic pesticides on your food is NOT a sham. For that matter, not wanting growth hormone in your meat and dairy isn't either. It's called choice, Whole Foods, among others, provides that choice. There's a reason main stream grocery stores have an organic section and many farmers are moving back to toxic free (organic) agriculture.
For those who think Whole Foods is too expensive, I did a price comparison yesterday of shelf items I buy there with a mainstream store and there was no difference FWIW. The difference is that at Whole Foods, I can buy in bulk and not pay for marketing, and Whole Foods has a discount brand, called 365. But hey, there's always Trader Joe's, if you're lucky to have one.
Good post. I'm a customer - not weekly, but once a month or so. And, they just have superior quality products compared to my local Kroger. And, I'll admit it. I like good food - it's the one thing me and Obama have in common. Arugula? Love it. Kobe beef? Gotta have it, can't afford it. Sierra Pale Ale over Bud Light? No doubt.
Is Whole Foods more expensive? Maybe. But, I'm not buying the same products at Whole Foods as I'm buying at Kroger, so it's hard to tell. As you point out, I'm guessing that on like products, they're close to equally priced.
And, you make a great point about choice. It's nice to have a Whole Foods alternative. I don't necessarily want my government telling me what I can and can't buy, but I do appreciate the option of deciding for myself. And, Whole Foods gives me that option.