Books · A little off the clock
Good stories. Big ideas. A few books to help you see the grocery aisle—and the people behind it—a little differently.
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Food culture, retail pioneers and building something with purpose. Our seven latest additions include links to published reviews. Pick whatever catches your eye.
Behind the shelf
The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket
A reported journey through the people and systems that keep American grocery stores stocked, from aspiring food entrepreneurs to the workers behind the supply chain.
A closer look at what it takes to get food onto a shelf—and the human stories a store visit rarely reveals.
People & pioneers
Adventures in Love, Life, and Capitalism
Whole Foods Market’s cofounder tells the story of building the company, weaving its growth and difficult decisions into his own personal journey.
An inside perspective on the Austin roots, people and ideas behind one of the natural channel’s defining retailers.
Food & culture
A Natural History of Four Meals
Following the origins of four meals, Pollan explores industrial agriculture, organic food and other ways of bringing food to the table.
Context for the sourcing and food-system questions that helped shape the natural and organic conversation.
Food & culture
An Eater’s Manifesto
An exploration of how nutrition advice, processed food and food culture influence the way people eat.
A thought-provoking companion to understanding why shoppers seek simpler ingredients and a different relationship with food.
Building a business
The Education of a Reluctant Businessman
Patagonia’s founder shares the experiences and business philosophy behind a company built around products, people and environmental responsibility.
A little beyond the grocery aisle: ideas for building a brand whose values show up in how it operates.
People & pioneers
From Health Foods to Whole Foods—How the Pioneers of the Industry Changed the Way We Eat and Reshaped American Business
A history of the entrepreneurs, retailers and brands that brought natural foods into the mainstream, including Celestial Seasonings and Bob’s Red Mill.
One of the closest fits for this shelf: the people, turning points and business decisions that shaped the natural channel.
Publishers Weekly highlights its industry insight and engaging profiles of natural-food pioneers.
Read the review
Retail strategy
How I Did Business My Way and Still Beat the Big Guys
Trader Joe’s founder explains the unconventional buying, assortment, marketing and operating choices behind a distinctive grocery chain.
A lively look at how knowing your shopper and choosing products differently can give a retailer its own identity.
Publishers Weekly praises its revealing account of the decisions behind Trader Joe’s success.
Read the review
Organic roots
Natural Foods and How They Grew
From organic farms to Earthbound Farm, Silk and Whole Foods, Fromartz follows the growth of an industry and the tensions that came with scale.
Useful context for understanding organic certification, industry consolidation and the relationship between small growers and larger brands.
Publishers Weekly commends its thoughtful, practical treatment of organic’s move into the mainstream.
Read the review
Behind the shelf
The Buying and Selling of Food in America
Through the family-owned Heinen’s grocery business, Ruhlman explores the people, products and decisions that make a supermarket work.
A retailer’s-eye view of buying and selling food, with a regional independent at the center of the story.
Publishers Weekly praises the engaging reporting and store-level detail, while questioning some of the nutrition commentary.
Read the review
Building a business
How to Make Money and Save the World
Stonyfield’s cofounder shares lessons from building an organic yogurt business while trying to make environmental commitments part of everyday operations.
A natural-channel founder’s perspective on earning shopper trust, winning shelf space and balancing purpose with commercial growth.
Publishers Weekly recommends its practical lessons for managers interested in sustainability and business performance.
Read the review
Brand builders
Integrity and Passion in Life and Business: The Story of Clif Bar Inc.
Clif Bar’s founder connects outdoor adventures with the choices involved in growing a food brand, protecting its culture and deciding what success means.
An entrepreneurial story for anyone interested in food brands, ownership and the values behind a company’s growth.
Newsweek praised Erickson’s candor about both mistakes and successes; its review is reproduced by Bookshop.org.
Read the review
Food & farming
Field Notes on the Future of Food
A chef’s journey through farms, fisheries and kitchens explores how soil, biodiversity and agricultural systems influence what ends up on our plates.
A broader view of sustainable sourcing that connects food quality and flavor to the health of the whole farm.
Kirkus recommends its ambitious argument for changing how food is grown and consumed.
Read the reviewMake room for one more
Know a great read about grocery, food, founders or the natural channel? We’d love a recommendation.