[oh8eleven]

They don’t have a monopoly on any commodity.
Actually, they won't need one - all they have to do is have a monopoly in a service area, say all the red states, then decide they won't sell a given food product.
Look at what the cable companies have done - agreed amongst themselves not to "invade" a competitor's area ... and they can gouge their customers all they want.

[discostu]

They won’t get that either. Whole Foods has a minuscule percentage of any market. And their stores are too small to seriously compete.

Cable companies are a utility, they CAN’T invade competitors area, not unless the local government decides they can.