| The Edge: Facebook group lobbies for Whole Foods in ‘Boro |
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By: ERIN EDGEMON, Post Columnist
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Posted: Monday, June 21, 2010 9:24 am
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Many people would like to see Murfreesboro get its own Whole Foods grocery store.
It’s evident by the more than 1,150 people who joined the Facebook group “Bring Whole Foods to Murfreesboro, TN.”
Karen Ford started the group on the popular social networking site about a month ago to help show Whole Foods Market that Murfreesboro wants and can support the grocery store.
Ford asks members of the group to post comments and to leave posts on the “Suggest a Store” forum on the Whole Foods website.
But she is surprised that so many people joined the group so fast.
“I started the Facebook group on Saturday, May 22. I was assuming I would have to hustle to get 500 members in a month, but it was up to 500 by that Monday. It is now over 1,000.”
But Ford said it shows that there are many Murfreesboro residents looking for a place where they can buy organic foods.
“It goes to show that many of us have had the same need, but didn't know how to find each other. Facebook gives us that connection. I remember being shocked that first day when the numbers grew and I saw names I'd never heard of before. Members are rallying, posting links to where we can tell Whole Foods we want them here.”
The idea for the Facebook group came after her “critical thinking” book group read “Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan. The book talked about how food is getting further and further away from its natural state such as corn-fed beef that is usually only available at grocers. Markets like Whole Foods sell healthier grass-fed beef.
“Instead of complaining that Murfreesboro did not have a place to purchase healthy food in large quantities, I wanted to be proactive,” Ford said. “Facebook came to mind.”
Ford said she would love to see the Facebook group actually convince Whole Foods that it needs to open a store in Murfreesboro, but it has shown that there are families in Murfreesboro that need a large health food store.
The “Bring Whole Foods to Murfreesboro, TN” Facebook page has gotten the attention of some local officials.
Holly Sears, vice president of economic development at the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, said “it is great when a community comes to together to lobby for something that would benefit the community as a whole.
“Whole Foods is a unique grocer that offers a variety in produce and purchasing options. There are currently two in Middle Tennessee and we have marketed to the company for several years and we will continue to market to Whole Foods and other grocers that offer specialized shopping.”
Murfreesboro City Manager Rob Lyons said he knows there is a community interest in specialized grocers and echoed Sears’ comments that the Chamber is marketing to the company.
A Whole Foods spokesperson didn’t respond to requests for an interview from The Murfreesboro Post.
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Murfreesboro Jersey Mike’s locations are holding a benefit for cancer victims Tracy Billingsley and Hyun-Hee Daugherty June 25-27.
Customers will receive a free regular sub with a $5 donation to the cause.
The offer is available at the Jersey Mike’s locations at 2705 A Old Fort Parkway and 128 W. Northfield Blvd.
Billingsley is a neighbor of Jersey Mike’s owners Shane and Tonya Ray. She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer about two years ago. Her husband, Aaron, was in Afghanistan and was able to be stationed stateside so Tracy could be treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
After a double mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy, she was cured. About a month ago, she was having headaches and found out she had two brain tumors. The doctors removed them two weeks ago. She is now trying holistic medicine. Aaron is an ROTC instructor at MTSU.
Daughtery has cancer throughout her body. Her husband is a retired soldier and also an ROTC instructor at MTSU.
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Want to have your new business featured in The Edge? Send an e-mail to eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.
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