Organic food tastes bad in a recession, just ask Whole Foods

Organic food tastes bad in a recession, just ask Whole Foods

There is no hard evidence that organic food is any better for people than beer and burgers. There are some studies that show all the good side effects of eating well, but they were probably paid for by companies that produce milk straight from cows or wild salmon.

It does not matter much if the entire organic thing is a hoax, when people don't have money to buy fancy food, they are going to have to settle for Spam and Cheese Wiz, whether they like it or not.

One company that will be hurt by the eating retrenchment is Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFMI), a favorite of the upper middle class who wants to look down their noses at people who go to regular grocery stores. According to The Wall Street Journal, "Analysts say the upscale grocer probably will have to trim its earnings forecast for the current fiscal year and announce further cuts to capital spending or new-store plans."

The real question is how long it will take WFMI to recover from any downturn. Its customers may decide that they like cheap, fatty food and never return. Whole Foods has watched its shares go from a 52-week high of $51 to $10. Those stock certificates may become so worthless that people will have to eat them as part of a healthy meal. At least they will cost less than the Whole Foods produce.