If you're a Whole Foods employee who's been stocking up on the 365 brand quinoa and tofu, then you're in luck. The grocery chain has just introduced a "weigh less, pay less" discount plan that will allow the company's healthiest employees to knock an additional 10 percent off of in store purchases in an attempt to "encourage and reward Team Members for making healthy, positive lifestyle changes and to reduce the costs of our health plan."
All Whole Foods workers already receive a 20 percent discount in the store, but non-smokers who keep their body mass index, total cholesterol, and blood pressure below certain levels will soon be able to net additional discounts ranging from 2 percent to 10 percent, according to Whole Foods documents published on Jezebel. The blog notes it's an "interesting" way to "reduce health care costs," considering that "[Whole Foods CEO John] Mackey is against the health care reforms that would actually reduce costs for all people."
According to the Daily News, voluntary screenings will begin on Jan. 21 and discount cards will be distributed to employees in March. This program comes as Gov. Paterson moves forward with his plan to tax sodas and sugary drinks and Mayor Bloomberg pushes to reduce the amount of salt in packaged and restaurant food. Recent studies show that 55 percent of New York City residents are overweight or obese.
