Comments on: Grapes With Integrity http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/03/grapes-with-integrity/ The Official Whole Foods Market Blog Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:14:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jane Johnson - Community Manager http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/03/grapes-with-integrity/#comment-203154 Jane Johnson - Community Manager Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:20:53 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=1191#comment-203154 @David I reached out to the experts for a response to your question and here's what they said... "Our WTG certifiers ensure that very specific environmental standards are met…I think you all have the links to their full standards. Specific to the questions below, here is a link to the Rainforest Alliance / Sustainable Agriculture Network’s list of prohibited pesticides: http://sanstandards.org/userfiles/file/SAN%20Prohibited%20Pesticide%20List%20November%202011.pdf" @David I reached out to the experts for a response to your question and here’s what they said…

“Our WTG certifiers ensure that very specific environmental standards are met…I think you all have the links to their full standards. Specific to the questions below, here is a link to the Rainforest Alliance / Sustainable Agriculture Network’s list of prohibited pesticides:
http://sanstandards.org/userfiles/file/SAN%20Prohibited%20Pesticide%20List%20November%202011.pdf“

]]> By: David Meyers http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/03/grapes-with-integrity/#comment-203090 David Meyers Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:29:52 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=1191#comment-203090 Your discussion on "Rainforest Alliance certified grapes" in Chile doesn't mention the use of pesticides. My understanding is that highly toxic pesticides such as DDT are still in use in Chile in the production of grapes and blueberries. Although DDT use in agriculture has been banned in the USA since 1972, the Chilean government 40 years later has not been able to effectively control it's use throughout this industry in Chile. Without a strict government prohibition on DDT use in Chile, it seems very risky for Whole Foods to continue importing produce from that country considering Whole Food's claim to being a high quality food retailer. Your discussion on “Rainforest Alliance certified grapes” in Chile doesn’t mention the use of pesticides. My understanding is that highly toxic pesticides such as DDT are still in use in Chile in the production of grapes and blueberries. Although DDT use in agriculture has been banned in the USA since 1972, the Chilean government 40 years later has not been able to effectively control it’s use throughout this industry in Chile. Without a strict government prohibition on DDT use in Chile, it seems very risky for Whole Foods to continue importing produce from that country considering Whole Food’s claim to being a high quality food retailer.

]]> By: David http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/03/grapes-with-integrity/#comment-117739 David Fri, 13 May 2011 21:46:20 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=1191#comment-117739 Yeah! Enjoy them. How the hell do you wash that sulphur that they are sprayed with??? Because water doesn`t work. And I don`t really feel like scrubbing one by one... any help whole foods?? Yeah! Enjoy them. How the hell do you wash that sulphur that they are sprayed with??? Because water doesn`t work. And I don`t really feel like scrubbing one by one… any help whole foods??

]]> By: Michael Bepko http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/03/grapes-with-integrity/#comment-107928 Michael Bepko Wed, 06 Apr 2011 18:44:04 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=1191#comment-107928 @Katy: Thanks for your question. Our product selection varies from store to store so please check in with the folks at the location where you've bought the grapes. @Katy: Thanks for your question. Our product selection varies from store to store so please check in with the folks at the location where you’ve bought the grapes.

]]> By: Katy http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/03/grapes-with-integrity/#comment-107884 Katy Tue, 05 Apr 2011 22:28:41 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=1191#comment-107884 once awhile, we get some white & round juice sweet grapes (made in chile) from wholefoods. it's the best grapes in the world! but we don't know the name of it? once awhile, we get some white & round juice sweet grapes (made in chile) from wholefoods. it’s the best grapes in the world! but we don’t know the name of it?

]]> By: Paige Brady http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/03/grapes-with-integrity/#comment-46366 Paige Brady Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:00:33 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=1191#comment-46366 @Bee We absolutely still carry organic grapes! Certified organic grapes are usually available from Mexico beginning in May. The domestic crop follows shortly after and can extend through Thanksgiving. We don’t have access to organic fruit in winter except for from South Africa, which has proven to be prohibitive on both the cost and the quality fronts. Our Rainforest Alliance certified grapes from Chile are usually available February - March. These are conventionally grown; however, Rainforest Alliance certification includes detailed guidelines for environmental stewardship, protection and conservation. The use of agrochemicals is strictly regulated (with many dangerous pesticides prohibited). While this fruit isn’t organically grown it is being produced by growers who respect the land and care about their impact on the environment. Details specific to Chilean grapes & organic: · Grapes ripen quickly and attract pests. Unless grapes are certified organic, synthetic pesticides and fungicides are commonly used in production. · The USDA requires that all grapes from Chile be fumigated with methyl bromide upon entry into the USA in order to eliminate the grape mite, a serious agricultural pest. · A result of the USDA requirement to fumigate grapes upon entry into the USA is that certified organic grapes from Chile are not available in the USA. · Imported conventional grapes must meet USDA standards to be marketed within the United States. Detectable residues are not permitted in the United States if that product is not registered for use in the United States. · The USDA is currently testing an alternative protocol for organic grapes to allow entry without fumigation. This protocol includes pre-inspection of vineyards to certify that they are free of spider mite. Hope you find this helpful! @Bee We absolutely still carry organic grapes! Certified organic grapes are usually available from Mexico beginning in May. The domestic crop follows shortly after and can extend through Thanksgiving. We don’t have access to organic fruit in winter except for from South Africa, which has proven to be prohibitive on both the cost and the quality fronts.

Our Rainforest Alliance certified grapes from Chile are usually available February – March. These are conventionally grown; however, Rainforest Alliance certification includes detailed guidelines for environmental stewardship, protection and conservation. The use of agrochemicals is strictly regulated (with many dangerous pesticides prohibited). While this fruit isn’t organically grown it is being produced by growers who respect the land and care about their impact on the environment.

Details specific to Chilean grapes & organic:
· Grapes ripen quickly and attract pests. Unless grapes are certified organic, synthetic pesticides and fungicides are commonly used in production.
· The USDA requires that all grapes from Chile be fumigated with methyl bromide upon entry into the USA in order to eliminate the grape mite, a serious agricultural pest.
· A result of the USDA requirement to fumigate grapes upon entry into the USA is that certified organic grapes from Chile are not available in the USA.
· Imported conventional grapes must meet USDA standards to be marketed within the United States. Detectable residues are not permitted in the United States if that product is not registered for use in the United States.
· The USDA is currently testing an alternative protocol for organic grapes to allow entry without fumigation. This protocol includes pre-inspection of vineyards to certify that they are free of spider mite.

Hope you find this helpful!

]]> By: bee http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/03/grapes-with-integrity/#comment-46337 bee Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:25:51 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=1191#comment-46337 I'm sorry to see that Whole Foods seems to have committed entirely to the Rainforest Alliance conventionally-grown grape. Although I was glad to read about the steps taken towards environmental responsibility during farming, it means that WF no longer carries organic grapes, and therefore my family can no longer eat them. Surely WF could find one organic vineyard that they could do business with? I have no problems finding organic raisins at WF. I’m sorry to see that Whole Foods seems to have committed entirely to the Rainforest Alliance conventionally-grown grape. Although I was glad to read about the steps taken towards environmental responsibility during farming, it means that WF no longer carries organic grapes, and therefore my family can no longer eat them. Surely WF could find one organic vineyard that they could do business with? I have no problems finding organic raisins at WF.

]]> By: Elaine http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/03/grapes-with-integrity/#comment-20092 Elaine Fri, 15 May 2009 22:23:42 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=1191#comment-20092 Very nice post, Chris! Those grapevines are beautiful. Hope you're doing well. Elaine (your old friend in Boulder) Very nice post, Chris! Those grapevines are beautiful. Hope you’re doing well.
Elaine (your old friend in Boulder)

]]> By: florence keenan http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/03/grapes-with-integrity/#comment-13556 florence keenan Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:54:54 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=1191#comment-13556 I'm concerned about pesticides used on table grapes, in particular DDT and other banned pesticides. How do you ensure your chilean grapes are not produced using DDT? I’m concerned about pesticides used on table grapes, in particular DDT and other banned pesticides. How do you ensure your chilean grapes are not produced using DDT?

]]> By: Jim http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/03/grapes-with-integrity/#comment-12622 Jim Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:49:59 +0000 http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/?p=1191#comment-12622 The red seedless grapes are great The red seedless grapes are great

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