Organic Food: Vindicated

Jim Cramer, on CNBC mentioned Whole Foods (WFMI) and Wild Oats Markets (OATS) (I own Wild Oats)

Whole Foods is a great company. I do have some concerns some of their< social resposibilities>, but they run their business very well, with profits, dividends, and growth.

They have management that is very good and business minded. But the leaders also
may not be as socially resposible as your local organic food co-op. They do however, give substantial amounts to fund social projects and are therefore socially resposible. They are just anti union and against high wages. Understandable. You have to make money right?

If you live in a large metro area, there is probably a farmer's market or co-op that is close.
You may have a local market theet is just as good because many grocers are carriying (or may soon carry) organic food as the market demands. Whole Foods management is great when you compare its store's business model to A&P or Kroger or Harris Teeter.


PUBLICS, Harris Teeter, Lowe;s Foods, Kroger...all sell organic foods.

Wild Oats Markets ( est. 1987, Colorado) is much smaller and faces substantial competition from Whole Foods. Whole Foods (est. 1978, Texas) has 170 stores in 3 countries, and has a $9 billion market cap with $2.37 EPS, or $4 billion in revenue. OATS has $1 billion in revenue, $348 million market cap, 10% less quarterly growth, 112 stores, and a stock price with less growth.