Mission and Culture: The Ingredients for Success

October 13, 2010 marked the grand opening of the Huntington Beach Bella Terra Whole Food's Market location.  I ventured in knowing that their coffee and food selection was impeccable.  After seeing the parking lot flooded with cars, I hoped that the inside of the store would not be the same scene.  Instead the parking lot was only a small glimpse of what I saw inside the store.   The crowds in every isle, food vendors at the each corner, new employees and regional management supervising the customers made Whole Foods Market a robust mini-city.  The amount of people in a grocery store was on the brink of mob scene.  From the fruits to the butcher, to the raw foods and even to the diverse array of lunch options, this vivacity is the epitome of health and wellness.


At the same time, Whole Foods Corporations mission and culture carries over to its successful store operations and popularity in a niche market.  According to their website, "Achieving unity of vision about the future of our company, and building trust between Team Members is a goal of Whole Foods Market. At the same time diversity and individual differences are recognized and honored. We aim to cultivate a strong sense of community and dedication to the company."


The customers that walk through Whole Foods doors do so with reason and  purpose.  In seeking fresh produce and ingredients, customers have shown how their desire for the highest quality natural and organic products available.  As proper nutrition is tried to overall health and longevity, there must be greater implications for new health modalities for these customers as well.  In the same sense, what if these same customers have that same desire for accessing the highest quality healthcare professionals as well as for these professionals' services?  Instead of organic products, what if these customers desired the highest quality medicines and resources for disease prevention? 

Now in addition to their health isle with natural remedies and vitamins, what if new stores employed a staff pharmacist or included a pharmacy area to help those with health questions and concerns?  In this way, pharmacists can serve to address community health concerns.  These same pharmacists would be able to educate customers and potential patients on the benefits of preventative measures and daily wellness activities to achieve ultimate health.

In that sense, Whole Foods Market would still be fulfilling their essential values:

• Satisfying and delighting our customers
• Caring about our communities & our environment
• Creating ongoing win-win partnerships with our suppliers .

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