Bloomberg: Whole Foods eyeing ways to curb healthcare costs

NEW YORK — Is Whole Foods looking to get into the health clinic business? Perhaps.



In a recent interview with Bloomberg, John Mackey, co-founder and co-CEO of Whole Foods, said a major focus for the company is reducing the healthcare costs for its own employees, and he has a few ideas on just how to do it.



One idea is a Whole Foods medical clinic, he told Bloomberg. Inspired by Rosen Care, an employer health care program run by Rosen Hotels and Resorts in Orlando, Fla., Mackey is toying with the idea of rolling out a Whole Foods clinic for employees — and perhaps customers.



Another idea that Mackey shared with Bloomberg is setting up a weight-loss and nutrition camp for employees and customers. The idea is based on its Total Health Immersion program, a weeklong clinic that Whole Foods employees can attend to undergo medically supervised testing, group discussions with nutritionists and cooking classes. According to Bloomberg, Mackey would like to offer the program as a weekend getaway to customers and is even negotiating on a property in Austin, Texas.