(Glastonbury, Conn., March 12, 2008) –Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFMI), the world’s leading natural and organic supermarket and America’s first national certified organic grocer, opened in Glastonbury today. The new store at 55 Welles Street in the Fox Run Mall is the fourth Whole Foods Market in Connecticut region, with other locations in Greenwich, West Hartford and Westport.
On Monday, Whole Foods Market hosted a day of “sneak peak” store tours, which raised over $5,000 for several local charities including the Glastonbury Education Foundation, the YMCA, Glastonbury Relay for Life, Glastonbury Rotary Club, the Audubon Society, Connecticut Farmland Trust, Glastonbury Partners in Planting and the Humane Society. Attendees sampled delicious creations from Whole Foods Market chefs, as well as other local vendors and producers from Connecticut.
“Caring for the local community is at the core of what we do at Whole Foods Market,” said Kim Hall, store team leader at Whole Foods Market Glastonbury. “We want to be actively involved in every community we are part of and we are excited to become a trusted community partner in Glastonbury.”
To add to the excitement, Whole Foods Market will also be the first supermarket to generate green on-site energy by using PureCell® fuel cell technology from UTC Power. This technology will enable the Glastonbury store to generate over 50 percent of the electricity and heat needed to operate the store, and nearly 100 percent of the hot water while conserving natural resources. The fuel cell produces electricity, heat and water electrochemically, so there is no fossil fuel combustion. In addition to being highly efficient, fuel cells are one of the cleanest energy generation sources available in the world and meets the strictest U.S. emission standards.
By generating most of its power on site, Whole Foods Market is able to reduce the burden on the power grid and lower its carbon footprint. To match the carbon dioxide-mitigating benefits of a fuel cell vs. a conventional power plant you would have to plant 21 acres of forest. The annual nitrogen oxide emissions reduction will be equivalent to removing 100 cars from roadways! Additionally, the Whole Foods Market Glastonbury will prevent the release of more than 90 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually by using the fuel cell instead of a traditional power plant. In the event of a grid power outage, the store will be able to seamlessly serve the community without disruption because the power will be generated on-site.
“We are incredibly excited to introduce such a promising new technology in our Glastonbury store,” said Jeff Turnas, president of Whole Foods Market’s North Atlantic Region. “We are generating responsible power, providing energy security to customers and reducing our carbon footprint, which is a huge step in our ongoing mission to go green and protect the environment. We hope this will be the first of many Whole Foods Market stores to open with fuel cell technology.”
As with all Whole Foods Market locations, shoppers in Glastonbury can be confident that they are buying the freshest, tastiest and purest foods available. Whole Foods Market prides itself on quality and has extremely high standards for the products and goods it carries. Every item must meet the company’s strict quality standards to ensure that all are free of all artificial additives, sweeteners, colors, flavors, preservatives and hydrogenated oils.
Spanning more than 46,000 feet, the new Whole Foods Market store is designed with a vibrant airy feel. A large cupola will bathe the café area in sunlight, where shoppers can enjoy freshly prepared foods or sip coffee and catch up with friends. Within the expansive natural meat and poultry departments, which includes an on-site dry-aged beef room, wide selections of the highest quality natural and organic offerings will be available. The experienced Team Members provide knowledge and expertise remnant of neighborhood butchers by helping with custom cuts and offering cooking instructions and personal recommendations. A variety of pre-marinated and oven-ready entrees will also be featured.
At the seafood department, knowledgeable fishmongers are ready to help you choose from the freshest daily catches and help with recipe tips. The only supermarket to own and operate three seafood processing and distribution facilities, Whole Foods Market offers the freshest and highest quality seafood available. From delicious seafood salads and pates, and fresh whole fish displayed on packed ice, to oven-ready entrees made onsite, the selection is exceptional.
“Grocery shopping won’t feel like a chore once you enter Whole Foods Market— it will be an interactive experience you look forward to! From the bright colors of the fresh fruits and vegetables, the smell of freshly roasted coffee and delicious homemade breads, our extensive selection of all natural meats and cheeses from around the world, and our wide selection of restaurant quality prepared-foods, Whole Foods Market can accommodate the tastes and needs of all shoppers,” said Turnas.
For shoppers looking for restaurant-quality prepared foods, Whole Foods Market offers an extensive selection of freshly made healthful foods made by the company’s talented chefs. Two salad bars, a hot bar specializing in Italian and other international cuisine, and freshly prepared soups will be created and stocked daily. You can sit down or order out from Sushi Island, which features delicious dim sum, hibachi and noodle bowls options as well as a wide assortment of fresh sushi. Brick oven pizzas, freshly pressed panini and pre-packed sandwiches round out the prepared foods offerings at the new Glastonbury location.
The bakery will be a destination on to itself, with freshly baked breads made from scratch, cakes, pastries and treats made on-site daily. Shoppers with special dietary needs will also find the bakery department suitable for them as vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free items will be available. Our specialty department will also feature a variety of unique freshly-made compound butters, which will be made on-site. For those who have an appreciation for hops, Whole Foods Market will feature a very unique assortment of local and specialty beers from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Shoppers will also delight in a vast selection of fresh and delicious fruits and vegetables that are offered in both the organic and conventional varieties. Escape to the gelato and espresso bar for a sweet indulgence, peruse the full-service cheese case and where homemade mozzarella will produced daily or stop by the ready-to-order guacamole station where you can enjoy a tasty treat while you shop, or pick up an order to take home.
Whole Body™ at Whole Foods Market will offer a large selection of luxurious natural body care items and cosmetics, as well as a diverse selection of high-quality nutritional vitamins and supplements. It will also feature a large children’s section including Born Free baby bottles and accessories, organic clothing lines, shoes and music. All products carried at Whole Body are made with the highest quality natural ingredients and are free of harsh chemicals and unnecessary fillers.
Whole Foods Market is a uniquely mission-driven company with one of its core values being commitment to the local community. The company donates five percent of profits annually to a variety of non-profit organizations in addition to hosting regional five-percent days quarterly, where stores donate five percent of daily sales to a local non-profit organization.
