[Thibaut1]

Where I live, Whole Foods tends to offer mid to high grade foods (for the middle class person at least). What makes you think it's low quality? I can get live mussels and clams, relatively ethical and fresh beef, good cheeses, decent produce... There are much worse options. Is Whole Foods not always like this? I went to one in California (just North of Monterey as I recall) and it seemed nice enough too. I live in Canada though, so maybe in the rest of the US it's not so great.

[spookthesunset]

Dunno what you are replying to, but where I live whole foods is pretty damn high quality, especially with respect to meat & poultry.

[koolba]

Spot on. The Whole Foods meat department is a thing of beauty both on its own and compared to other mainstream chain supermarkets.

[wil421]

Most places that are selling muscles, clams, or oysters on ice are selling live shellfish. In the US they are required to keep the tag and you can ask for it. The date of harvest and origin will be shown on it.