I adore my local Whole Foods (fresh, organic produce and a fresh peanut butter dispenser? Of course I love it!). But I was a little wary when I heard about the company’s latest program.

The grocery chain has started an initiative called the Team Member Healthy Discount Incentive. Whole Foods employees with low BMI’s (Body Mass Indexes) are eligible to receive a bigger store discount than employees who are above a certain BMI level. So even though every employee gets a 20% discount, those who are deemed healthier by the store can get up to 30% off. According to Whole Foods’ CEO John Mackey, the program is an effort to reduce the company’s health care costs.

I’ll be honest: This doesn’t sit well with me. I definitely think it’s important to stay healthy, and offering employees incentives for doing just that could be a good thing. But considering that many experts are uncertain about the accuracy of measuring health with BMI, and the varying definitions of what really makes a person “healthy,” this just seems fishy. What about an employee who’s perfectly healthy but whose BMI is higher than the company wants? She may have to accept her standard discount while her “healthier” coworkers enjoy 10% more.

On the other hand, the program is optional. And the employees’ “Healthy Discount Levels” aren’t just based on BMI; they also take into account cholesterol and blood pressure. What do you think? Is this incentive a good way for employees to stay healthy? Or is it unfair?

-Michelle, KIWI editor

Here’s the latest and greatest of what’s going on in the mom blogosphere.  Interested in having your blog featured?  Let us know in the comments!

-Our hospitals use a lot of energy and produce a lot of waste.  A guest blogger at Crunchy Domestic Goddess explains how staying healthy is one more way we can help the environment.

-A timely post: Learn how going green with your baby can save money, courtesy of Green Baby Guide.

-Green SAHM tells the merits of greening your hair care routine.  Who says you need to wash every single day?

-We all know the importance of getting our kids to be active outdoors.  The Tranquil Parent has great tips for outside fun.

-Mom Goes Green talks about the effect of pesticides on our children.

Marygrace, KIWI intern