The following statement was sent to us from Laura Derba, President of North Atlantic region of Whole Foods. Derba was sent the following questions, but instead issued the statement. Here are the questions we asked:
- When do you expect the new store to open?
- What do you think of the two public letters written to the JP Neighborhood Council by Senator Chang-Díaz and Councillor Arroyo? Do you agree with all the recommendations they mention?
- Will Whole Foods guarantee that cultural food staples from Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and other countries of Latin America be stocked in the Hyde Square store?
- Is Whole Foods committed to the development of a more robust Latin Quarter in Hyde Square? If so, what plans do you have to make this is a reality?
- How many ex-Hi Lo employees have you hired to work in other Whole Food Locations? How many positions do you expect to have open in the Hyde Square location?
Here is what we received:
We are aware of the avid discussion in the community and online regarding the recent letters issued by Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz and City Councilor Felix Arroyo to the Ad-Hoc Committee on Whole Foods of the JP Neighborhood Council, and we genuinely appreciate the passionate interest. It’s exciting to be a part of a community that cares so much about what is happening in their neighborhood and we look forward to building positive partnerships when we open this fall.
We look forward to introducing ourselves to the neighborhood later this month at our first Town Hall meeting where we hope we can underscore our commitment to the community—that we are active community partners on a daily basis. From 5 % Days, food donations, event and sporting team sponsorships and community clean up days with Team Members, we strive to support the local community, economy and businesses. Giving back, acting as trusted partner and being a good neighbor supports our core values as a company and we look forward to proving ourselves as a positive community partner to JP residents. I’ll be providing additional information including the date of our Town Hall meeting in my second letter to the community, which will go out next week.
–Laura Derba, President, Whole Foods Market
Franky Benítez 
My take is that” Laura” never got your letter. Instead, it was intercepted by the pr department. The PR department sent you a standard talking point memo they send everyone else. Rare is the boss or CEO that actually reads letters. Example, I have late night comedian Jimmy Fallon As a facebook friend. I SERIOUSLY doubt he has seen my profile or wall.lol. Anyway…as you know, you go the typical corporate runarround letter. Your questions were not hard at all.
Of course. Typical bs PR in the time of social media. Whole Foods can’t have it both ways: they can’t use social media to say how AWESOME they are and then use traditional PR control bs to not answer their criticisms. Fail.