LOS ANGELES (Nov. 5, 2012) – Is standing in long check-out lines gobbling up quality time this holiday season? Never fear, Whole Foods Market is here — helping shoppers bypass the long lines and head straight to the dinner table with everything they need right at their fingertips. Starting Nov. 1, with the click of a button, shoppers can have a holiday meal — and much more — ready for pick up during the week of Thanksgiving at their nearest Whole Foods Market through Whole Foods Market’s online ordering system.
Whole Foods Market’s online ordering system is available year-round with select holiday items available through Jan. 2, and winter holiday options being added on Dec. 3.
“From wines and hors d’oeuvres platters to full-course meals artfully arranged and served up in reusable dinnerware, Whole Foods Market offers a one-stop-shop — whether in person or online — for shoppers to create enviable holiday gatherings and unforgettable memories,” said Hilary Maler, associate marketing coordinator, Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific region.
This year, setting a Thanksgiving table is even easier with Whole Foods Market’s ready-to-serve side dishes, including traditional stuffing and mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and turkey gravy. As an added bonus, all side items are available for purchase in convenient oven-ready, table-ready white porcelain dinnerware — a perfect addition to any cookware set that can be reused again and again.
In addition to easy e-meals, Whole Foods Market shoppers can also pluck their perfect Thanksgiving bird from a wide range of options which are all raised without antibiotics, added hormones or animal byproducts in their feed and are rated according to Global Animal Partnership’s (GAP) 5-Step™ Animal Welfare Rating system.
“What makes the GAP program unique is that it outlines minimum animal welfare standards for our suppliers, provides transparency for our customers and explains incremental changes suppliers can make to continue improving the lives of their animals,” said Anne Malleau, assistant global meat coordinator for Whole Foods Market. “Animals raised in an environment that encourages them to perform their natural behaviors are animals ‘raised to taste better.’”
Cyber shoppers will know exactly how their turkey was raised with Step-3-rated turkeys from Mary’s Turkeys in Sanger, Calif. or Diestel Family Turkey Ranch in Sonora, Calif. For those who want to take it a few of steps further, Mary’s Heritage Step-5-rated turkeys will tantalize any taste bud. Want to see one of Whole Foods Market’s turkey farms in action? Here’s Mary’s Turkeys in Sanger, Calif.
Whole Foods Market’s trained butchers are also available to help shoppers choose the best bird for their budget – from turkeys raised this season to reach the perfect size; to fresh brined kosher; organic; heritage or heirloom turkeys, raised for their remarkable flavor. Recipes and turkey carving guides are available at www.wholefoodsmarket.com.
Sealing the deal with a perfect pairing and festive centerpiece will ensure shoppers’ guests will go nuts. The e-store has a full selection of holiday wines – red, white, bubbly and pink — and a full line of Whole Trade® floral arrangements perfect for adding that splash of color to any spread. Plus, holiday dinner guests won’t leave empty handed with Whole Foods Market’s selection of Tru Melange candles or an Alba Shower Gel and Lotion gift set — a perfect memento for any joyous occasion.
For ideas and tips on making holiday celebrations festive and tasty, and to find cooking tips for more than 2,500 tested recipes, visit Whole Foods Market’s online holiday resource guide at www.wholefoodsmarket.com. To shop online for the perfect holiday party, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/online-ordering. Keep an eye on the Whole Story blog, too, where Whole Foods Market will be serving up even more ways to master the holiday feast.
