(Colonie, NY – June 16, 2014) – Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM), the nation’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, is excited to announce the company’s first store in New York’s Capital Region will be opening its doors on Wednesday, June 18th at 9:00AM. Whole Foods Market Albany, located in the Colonie Center Mall (Intersection of Central Avenue and Wolf Road in Colonie, NY) will be a community destination, offering residents the full range of high-quality natural and organic foods the retailer is known for. The day will start with the company’s traditional bread breaking ceremony at 8:30AM, followed by an array of tastings, vendor samplings, giveaways, and other events for the whole family! 

As part of Whole Foods Market’s commitment to its local communities, the store is proud to dedicate 5% of opening day sales to the Capital District Community Gardens (CDCG), whose mission it is to nourish healthy communities by providing access to green spaces for all. Whole Foods Market will be providing shoppers with a “Top 10 Produce” list, encouraging shoppers to donate these goods to the CDCG, and in exchange for their donation, will receive a packet of seeds from the company’s non-profit, Whole Kids Foundation

At 32,000 square-feet, the Albany store will offer an extensive variety of the highest quality natural and organic items, including being home to a number of local products sourced from the many farms and artisanal producers throughout the region. As a special opening day sale, the store will be offering a 20% discount on Whole Foods Market’s private label 365 Everyday Value® line of products throughout the store. 

“Whole Foods Market is excited to be introducing the Capital Region to our abundance of natural and organic goods with the highest quality standards in the industry, as well as to an overall unique and exciting shopping experience,” said Gabriel Edell, Store Team Leader at Whole Foods Market Albany. “We’ve embraced the community and look forward to forging fruitful and lasting partnerships with local vendors, businesses, and our community.” 

Whole Foods Market is pleased to share that there will be more than 50 first-to-launch products from Capital Region and Hudson Valley area artisans and producers to add to the hundreds of local upstate New York products already sold in stores. This list includes producers such as The Peanut Principle, Indian Ladder Farms, Gatherer’s Granola, Rad Soap, Bilinski’s Sausage, and many more.

Each department will host a bevy of delicious offerings, such as in-house made juices and smoothies at our Coffee Bar, a wide selection of artisan-produced, hand-cut cheeses both from around the world as well as Upstate New York in our Specialty Department, and a beer growler filling station.  Whole Foods Market Albany will also be introducing a seasonal cream pie and homemade ice cream sandwich program in the Bakery Department, along with a variety of in-store venues offering everything from in-house chef prepared pizzas and cheesesteaks, to hearty salad bowls, sushi and much more.

In line with Whole Foods Market’s commitment to excellence, the Albany store will continue to provide options for locally sourced goods, high quality meats that are free of antibiotics and added hormones, with options from farms in both New York and throughout the Northeast Region. The retailer’s Seafood Department, recently named the best in sustainability for the second year in a row by Greenpeace, offers access to knowledgeable fishmongers who can help customers select, prepare and custom cut fresh catch, much of which comes from the grocer’s own docks in Gloucester, MA. Shoppers will also always be able to find a selection of seasonal, local, and certified organic produce year-round. With our Whole Foods Market 365 Everyday Value® line of high-quality house brand staples, the grocery department is an all-in-one destination for all your cooking and pantry needs. The Whole Body department will feature personal care and beauty items with top-of-the-line natural and organic ingredients, as well as nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, and baby care items.

For additional information about our Albany location, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/wholefoodsalbany or on Twitter and Instagram @WFMAlbany.

Whole Foods Market Albany

1425 Central Avenue (at the Colonie Center Mall)

Albany, NY 12205

Regular Store Hours: [Mon.-Sun.] 8AM-10PM

Phone Number: 518-621-5300