How Sandy Gooch Started A Natural Foods Revolution
“Sandy Gooch single handedly pioneered a natural foods revolution for everyday people”
~~~Whole Foods CEO and co-founder John Mackey
Sandy Gooch was experiencing chest pains at too young of an age. Upon investigation, Sandy Gooch found that what she was eating was making her ill. She made an immediate change in her eating choices. Little did she know, in her own quest for health she would pioneer the nation’s natural food movement.
Sandy Gooch discusses her illness, her recovery and what it took to open the first Mrs. Gooch’s Natural Food Store in Los Angeles in 1976.
She discusses how she revamped advertising and the grocery business by offering product knowledge.
Sandy believed when you empower people with the knowledge needed to make an educated decision in their food choices; they will learn for themselves that natural foods are a natural choice.
In 1993, Mrs. Gooch's was the largest-grossing natural products market in the world with annual sales of over $90 million. In September 1993, Mrs. Gooch's merged with Whole Foods. Sandy discusses what it was like to give up the business she started.
Sandy also shares her thoughts about food safety, what it takes to be an entrepreneur and how the expression “goochable” got started and to this day is still used.
…and much, much more. I’m very excited for you to meet this inspiring woman, Sandy Gooch.
Let me know what you think in the comments below. If you get a minute, please leave a review on iTunes. The higher we rank on iTunes, the more people we can inspire with our plant-based message.
Sandy Gooch
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I was one of the lucky people that was employed at the first store. I always felt very happy to pass along things that I had learned by working there. We were family. Sandy was always able to give her time to you or customers. Even if she were on her way somewhere else. I will always feel fortunate for being able to experience this wonderful place.
Tina thanks so much for sharing that. I only met her that once and I could tell what a caring person she was, not to mention a female trailblazer!
I went to school in the 1980’s with a boy named Nick Zafiras who used to brag all
The time his mother owned the store- I still to this day wonder if this was true-
Does anyone know of Mrs Gooch had any kids?
Thanks
Her husband’s last name was Lederman. Not sure if they had children.
Mrs Gooch has a daughter from her first marriage. (Gooch) No sons
So amazing!! I remember going to Mrs. Gooch’s with my mom when I was little. We used to get some kind of frozen dessert.. like alternative ice cream or something.. some kind of ice cream station? I can’t remember but I loved it so much! I wonder if you remember something like that? Interesting what memories stick- I must have been 6 or 7!
Aloha
I’m grateful for all the pioneers who shaped, shared and created awareness towards a healthy lifestyle and living.
To all and everyone a loving Mahalo💞
Mrs. Gooch thank you again.
My husband love for your Apple juice is growing ever since as well as the vast array of empty 1 gallon glass bottles. Out of resourcefulness and need I started cleaning /sterilizing and filling them with distilled/filtered water. For Neighbors and families in need. As the bottle caps are aging and are hard to find our hope was directed towards you.
Our wish and prayer is that you might know someone else who could help us and guide us to the company who supplied your glass bottle caps for Mrs Gooch’s apple juice🍎. Our momentary need is 100 bottle caps+ .
With gratitude and appreciation. Thank you again. Mahalo🌺
Sincerely
Sabine
Hi Sabine – Thanks for stopping by and your kind words. I don’t know if Mrs.Gooch will see this, but hopefully she will. Have a wonderful day!
Was a great place back in the day in Santa Monica. Quality. Today Whole Foods tells us how we must address their employees. Last day we will ever shop at Whole Foods. Thanks for your hard work. Seems like good ideas like good products disappear. Hippy farms, vermiculture, non GMO, NO SUGAR. Everything including gluten free has sugar. We are eating ourselves to death. Thoroughly dissatisfied with the times we live in.
I moved to California in 1975. Lived in West LA and Westwood. Went to Mrs. Gooch on a regular basis. That is when I got started taking vitamins. Miss the vibe of that time.
Thanks for sharing and stopping by Cathy
No kidding, Cathy. The vibe of that time was something great. I used to shop at the Gooch’s in Hermosa Beach, then Redondo. Also, I really miss that chain’s hard-core attitude. For example, they allowed no refined products, e.g. sugar and flour. In addition, nothing with caffeine, either coffee or chocolate.
My name is Brian Sweeney. I moved out to California in 1987 from Chicago. Upon arriving a neighbor suggested working at Mrs Goochs. I applied for the job and was hired at a new location she was opening up in Beverly Hills. It was a joy to work there. Friendly. I worked there for 7 years. Every year Mrs Goochs had their annual picnic. I will never forget the friends and people I have met there. Thank you Sandy for the best times I had.
What a nice story. Thank you for sharing.