Whole Foods backtracks poppy ban after swift backlash from public, government officials

Whole Foods says it will allow employees to wear poppies in honour of Remembrance Day following swift backlash after they banned employees from wearing them on shift based on their dress code policy.

In response to the grocery chain’s move, Premier Doug Ford said Friday his government would introduce legislation to prohibit any company from banning the wearing of poppies at work during Remembrance week.

In a statement, Whole Foods initially said their dress code policy prohibits any additions to their standard uniform, apart from items required by law.

Later on Friday, they walked back the decision and issued another statement saying their dress code is meant to ensure safety and consistency, but they “appreciate the thoughtful feedback” they received from customers.

“Our intention was never to single out the poppy or to suggest a lack of support for Remembrance Day and the heroes who have bravely served their country,” they said. “Given the learnings of today, we are welcoming Team Members to wear the poppy pin in honour of Remembrance Day. As was previously planned, we will also be observing a moment of silence on November 11, as well as making a monetary donation to the Legion Poppy Fund.”

Speaking from the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa Friday morning, the premier called the company’s policy “disgraceful” before they reversed their decision.

In an earlier tweet, Ford called the decision “disgusting” and asked for a reversal and an apology.

It’s disgusting and disgraceful that @WholeFoods has banned poppies for their employees. We will always stand with our veterans. Whole Foods should apologize and immediately reverse this decision. Everyone should wear a poppy #lestweforget.

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) November 6, 2020

Ford once again touched on the subject during a COVID-19 briefing with reporters from The Ottawa Civic Hospital, this time speaking more forcefully.

“Obviously, whoever at Whole Foods made this decision isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer, about as sharp as a butter knife,” said Ford.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh also expressed his disagreement on Twitter, saying “It was wrong when they banned staff expressing support for Black Lives Matter and it’s wrong to ban the Poppy. Canadians shouldn’t lose the right to honour the sacrifices of veterans when they go to work.”

Veteran Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay tweeted that Whole Foods’ policy is “absolutely unacceptable” — a message the prime minister retweeted.

When asked whether the federal government would consider enacting legislation similar to what Doug Ford is proposing, Justin Trudeau said MacAulay has reached out to the company to “highlight to them that they have made a mistake.”

“Whole Foods has made a silly mistake that I’m hoping they will correct very quickly,” said Trudeau.

Erin O’Toole, the leader of the federal Conservative party, says that the sacrifices of Canadian veterans in the past “provides the freedom for a U.S. grocery chain to be stupid today.”

In July, Whole Foods came under fire for banning staff from wearing any items that expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement, based on a company dress code that prohibits slogans or logos not affiliated with the company. The grocery chain is being sued in the U.S. for that decision.

A federal lawsuit filed in Boston on July 20 alleges that the supermarket chain disciplined, intimidated and retaliated against the workers who were showing solidarity with the racial justice movement that had a resurgence of support following the May death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, according to the lawsuit.

The Amazon.com Inc.-owned chain has 14 locations across Canada.

Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report