When WholeFoods magazine recently named Mitch McConnell “Person of the Year” in the December 2019 issue, a storm of consumer confusion was set off for Whole Foods Market.
After the New Jersey-based b-to-b natural products publication made the announcement, Republican senator and senate majority leader McConnell tweeted, “Honored to be named @WholeFoodsMag 2019 Person of the Year.” Immediately, those not fond of McConnell sent tweets admonishing the supermarket chain. The store repeatedly had to clarify that it is not associated with the magazine.
“Thanks for reaching out … Whole Foods Market is not affiliated with this publication,” the chain replied on Twitter. National media outlets followed up on the story.
In response, Heather Wainer, WholeFoods magazine’s publisher, stated, “The Person of the Year is not meant to be an award or honor, but rather a report on the one person who has had the most influence—positive, negative or a mix of both—on the natural products industry in the past year.” McConnell was chosen specifically for his work legalizing hemp, as well as his connection to climate change, according to the magazine.
