Here are a couple of historic notes from 1999 (I couldn't stand to edit away into the void. They tell quite a lot about why we got out of the sprout business and stopped selling wholesale to wholesalers and retailers (stores) on 12/31/1999, and why we turned our focus to the Direct-Retail of Seeds and Sprouting Supplies - finally.

We did continue to sell sprouts direct-retail at the Madison Farmers Market for a few more years, so perhaps all these things say is why we couldn't let anyone else sell our stuff anymore.

HISTORIC NOTES:

Minneapolis + St. Paul, Minnesota

As of September 27, 1999 we no longer deliver sprouts to Minnesota stores. We were forced to discontinue direct delivery in August of 1999 due to poor sales. We switched to supplying a wholesale produce distributor (Roots and Fruits), who we shipped our sprouts to, in turn supplying all of the stores we have supplied for over 4 years. After 4 weeks Roots and Fruits decided we were not worth the trouble and they "cut us loose".

We have been saddened repeatedly by the focus on money instead of organics over the years we have supplied sprouts up north, and we just don't have it in us anymore to fight to keep this part of our business going. It has always required much more work than our Wisconsin route has and though our Northern route was, at this time last year (1998), more than 50% of our business, we are letting it die. We are instead focusing on our ever supportive Wisconsin customers and on our home sprout business.

Some of the stores in Minnesota will be picking up our Home Sprout product line in the near future. We will add stores to that list as they join.

To all of you Minnesotans who are sad to see us go: Thanks for your support, we wish there had been enough of you to keep us going. Perhaps, if we succeed in turning the tide of negative press we will return someday. In the mean time you should seriously consider growing your own sprouts - they will be even fresher and less expensive and you'll enjoy yourself - we swear it!

UPDATE: As of 2001 we have a few sprouts in a few stores in Minnesota thanks to the loyalty of customers who ask for us and buyers who find a way to make their customers happy! Keep asking!!!

Why we no longer serve Whole Foods Market Inc.

We had served Whole Foods in Madison, WI since June, 1996. The very day the produce buyer got to town I was on the phone with him. I presented samples within a week and got the account. We had moved and expanded our business on account of their opening in Madison, (which we waited for for over 2 years from the date they bought their building), with the complete confidence that we would get their account.

We delivered to them for over 3 years. During that time we had the usual ups and downs associated with selling an item to a vendor, but in the case of Whole Foods we often suffered more due to the fact that they are a corporation which - as we found out in 1999 - cares more about money then they do about their mission ("Supporting sustainable agriculture. We are committed to greater production of organically and biodynamically grown foods in order to reduce pesticide use and promote soil conservation."). We discovered that their support for organics was contingent on liability (see our long conversation with WF on the subject of organics) - they don't want to be sued. They would only sell our product if we allowed them to post a sign which stated that our sprouts might be dangerous, thus releasing them from liability. The last straws came in October, 1999 when an outbreak of salmonella attributed to sprouts caused the Wisconsin Health and Agriculture departments to issue a press release warning all not to eat ANY sprouts. Though we were not suspected, Whole Foods told us "We don't want your sprouts" - they offered no further explanation and their regional buyer refused to return 4 calls/pages. 2 weeks later when they took the time to find out from the state agencies that our sprouts were completely safe they called and asked us to start serving them - they didn't even apologize. It's like any bad relationship - when your partner dumps on you repeatedly, you eventually call it quits. But the final thing was this: The Texas Observer discovered that Whole Foods has been 34% owned - since 1988 - by venture capitalists whose other investments include the B-1 Bomber. Lori wrote a letter to the Madison weekly which states that we will no longer serve any Whole Foods Market. She suggested as I do here that Whole Foods should be Boycotted! We are all best off supporting our local economy so we would all be better off shopping at our local Co-Op or locally owned natural foods store or best of all - from your local farmers market. If you can't patronize a locally owned store and chains are your only choice I can tell you that Wild Oats and their stores were totally right on when it comes to organics (in 1999 anyhow) - so shop there if you have the chance.

Boycott Whole Foods Market Inc.