Beginning this Thanksgiving, boycott Whole Foods Market until they sign an agreement for the Jamaica Plain, MA neighborhood.

An agreement with Whole Foods Market is vital to the Jamaica Plain neighborhood. This year, thousands of neighbors opposed Whole Foods Market opening a store in their diverse, urban community; it literally replaced a large, affordable Latino grocery store. Many were concerned that the massive multi-national, anti-union corporation would not be responsive to the needs of our neighborhood, which thrives on local business. Many were concerned that the store's presence would accelerate gentrification; higher rents will force out those of us in the neighborhood who are low-income.

By signing this petition, you are demonstrating your commitment to boycott Whole Foods Market.

The 5 things we demand in an agreement with Whole Foods are:

1. FUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Whole Foods Market stores have a nationally-reputed impact on housing costs in communities surrounding their stores, it's known as the “Whole Foods Effect”.  Values of properties within a few blocks of a Whole Foods Market store are known to rapidly escalate by as much as 20% when a store opens -- realtors market the area to more affluent newcomers, owners raise rents, and ultimately, the face of the neighborhood changes. An agreement with Whole Foods Market could contribute significantly to accessible housing in Jamaica Plain.  Even if Whole Foods Market contributed only $150,000 annually -- less than 1% of their expected revenue in JP -- to help JPers stay in their homes, it could assist approximately 50 families in paying their rent. It could prevent evictions of families in financial crisis. It could fund at least 3 full-time neighborhood organizers who would help prevent rent hikes and foreclosures. Or, such funding could be used by neighborhood organizations to buy foreclosed homes back and re-develop them as affordable housing. Or, it could help renovate, weatherize, or “green” existing affordable housing.  This is not much money to a corporation that drew in over 9 billion dollars in 2010.  But it means to the world to many of us and our neighbors.

2. FUND YOUTH PROGRAMS

Throughout the JP community’s struggle with the incoming Whole Foods store, several Hyde Square neighbors have advocated that the company contribute to local youth programs. JP is home to powerful, progressive youth programs at organizations such as the Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, Hyde Square Task Force, Spontaneous Celebrations, and the Curley after-school, among others. If Whole Foods helped fund youth programming, it could contribute to the “financial literacy and well-being of young people, especially JP’s middle- and high-school aged students,” as recommended in the JP Neighborhood Council’s Ad-Hoc Committee Report on Whole Foods.

3. PAY A LIVING WAGE

Whole Foods has stated that they will pay employees $10 per hour, which is more than $3 per hour below the “living wage” defined by the City of Boston. A “living wage” is the wage that is sufficient for a family of four to live on or above the poverty line. A living wage, as defined by our city, is currently $13.10 per hour.  The difference between $10/hr and $13.10/hr is approximately a $6,450 difference annually.  And for some, that could be the difference between being able to survive the rising expenses of our neighborhood, or not.

4. ASSIST LOCAL BUSINESSES

Because the “Whole Foods Effect” is known to draw other upscale chain retailers that replace more afforable and often locally-owned businesses, local businesses are under threat as this giant retail “anchor” plants itself in Hyde Square. In Hyde Square and Jackson Square, over half of the businesses are currently Latino-owned and cater to Latino clientele. If these local business are replaced by a newer wave of upscale stores, it will be a form of cultural and economic displacement. The following are ways that neighbors have envisioned Whole Foods Market assisting local businesses :

1) Fund a program that would assist low- and moderate-income residents in buying healthy foods at locally-owned, non-chain, retail food sellers and farmers’ markets.

2) Share parking with neighboring tenants after hours.

3) Create a workforce development/small business fund for training programs that target low- and moderate-income residents.

4) Prioritize purchasing products made by small food manufacturers and other businesses in Jamaica Plain and surrounding neighborhoods.

5. PUBLISH A TRAFFIC STUDY

As everyone knows, Centre St. is congested to the point of a stand-still on a daily basis. Cyclists frequently suffer accidents with cars and worry for their basic safety. The opening of Whole Foods at 415 Centre St. will certainly increase the congestion and danger as well as contributing to air pollution. To this date, no traffic study has been made public. A published traffic study would help apprise neighbors of any environmental and safety hazards and empower us to address them before it’s too late.

1 See “An Open Letter to Jamaica Plain on The Whole Foods Effect”: http://jamaicaplain.patch.com/ articles/an-open-letter-to-jamaica-plain-on-the-whole-foods-effect

2 Data on housing provided by tenant advocacy organization City Life/Vida Urbana.

3 See Whole Foods Market’s latest annual report: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/pdfs/ ar10.pdf

4 See the JP Neighborhood Council’s report on Whole Foods: http://www.jpnc.org/wp-content/ uploads/2011/07/Ad-Hoc-WF-Committee-Report-June-28-2011.pdf

5 See http://www.cityofboston.gov/jcs/Liv_wage_ord.asp for information on Boston's living wage as defined by the city of Boston.

6 See “Opponents: Whole Foods Jobs Should Start at More than $10/hour”: http:// ​​jamaicaplain.patch.com/articles/anti-gentrification-group-whole-foods-jobs-should-start-at-more-than- 10hour

Join us in boycotting Whole Foods Market, starting this Thanksgiving.  Do your Thanksgiving shopping at a locally-owned business that is responsive to its community's needs.  

See http://www.whosefoods.org for more info.

Show your support on FACEBOOK here: http://www.facebook.com/events/255331314515491/