Orland Park, IL (February 8, 2012) – Whole Foods Market (Nasdaq: WFM), the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, confirms today that a new location is planned in Orland Park. The store will be located at 15260 South LaGrange Road at 153rd st. in Orland Park.
The 27,000 square foot store, slated to open in the fall of 2012, will reflect the company’s mission of supporting sustainable agriculture and the environment by featuring natural and organic foods that are free of artificial ingredients and hydrogenated fats. With a focus on fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, specialty items, high-quality meats and poultry, everyday pantry staples and sustainable seafood, the store will appeal to a variety of customers ranging from the health conscious to serious foodies.
“At Whole Foods Market, we strive to offer the freshest, most flavorful natural and organic foods available, and we are overjoyed to finally announce our entrance into the Orland Park community,” comments Michael Bashaw, Midwest regional president at Whole Foods Market. “We greatly look forward to sharing our wide selection of high-quality natural and organic products with our new customers in the area, while also employing a team that is passionate about what we sell,” says Bashaw.
Whole Foods Market, which estimates it will add approximately 150-160 additional jobs in the area, has been named by Fortune magazine as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in the U.S. for 15 consecutive years – every year since the List’s inception. In addition, the Company boasts an 80% fulltime employment rate nationwide, which is nearly double the rate of its competitors. This commitment to the company translates to increased passion and product knowledge by its Team Members.
“Our excellent customer service is what sets us apart from our competitors,” Bashaw says. “We’re proud that our Team Members are truly passionate about sharing the joys of great-tasting natural and organic food with our local communities.”
Whole Foods Market has a history of establishing a commitment to each of the communities it serves. Community support is considered a “Core Value” to the Company, and is something that is supported during everyday business. Quarterly Community Support Days, where 5 percent of one-day’s sales are donated to a local nonprofit organization, are one of the most successful of the Company’s programs. Other community support programs include One Dime at a Time, where customers can opt to have their 10¢ bag refund donated to a nonprofit organization, as well as daily donations to local food banks.
“These stores will allow us to deepen our connections within the community,” Bashaw comments. “We look forward to building strong relationships with our neighborhood partners in the Orland Park area.”
