SAN MATEO, Calif. (January 15, 2003) Whole Foods Market, the world's largest retailer of natural and organic foods, opens its San Mateo store Wednesday, January 22. This is the 16th Whole Foods Market in Northern California and like its counterparts, provides natural and organic products that are free of artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings and preservatives, as well as approximately 150 new jobs locally.

The 42,000 square foot store is located at 1010 Park Place in The Center at Bay Meadows (off Highway 101 between Saratoga Dr. and Hillsdale Blvd.). The space is lively and vibrant, utilizing a burnt orange, yellow and burgundy color palate, and adorned with wall murals and historic photos of San Mateo. It features the Salud! cooking and lifestyle school that provides demonstrations, cooking and nutrition classes, crafts and more.

Whole Foods Market is a unique blend of old-fashioned green grocer, organic farmer's market, European pastry shop, custom butcher and seafood shop, rotisserie grill, healthful deli, first class wine merchant, nutrition and body care center, full-service market and neighborhood café.

“As a San Mateo native, I'm pleased to lead the opening of San Mateo's first Whole Foods Market,” said San Mateo's Store Team Leader Patrick Vandenbroeck. “Whole Foods Market is highly selective about what it sells, dedicated to its Quality Standards, and committed to sustainable agriculture. San Mateo now has a trusted source for the highest quality natural and organic foods.”

During the grand opening, the first 1,000 customers who spend $25 or more will receive a canvas tote bag for their groceries. Additionally, there will be numerous grand opening specials including: $1.89/pint California strawberries, $2.99/lb. boneless pork loin roast, Albacore Tuna for $6.99/lb., $.99/each crusty artisan baguettes, $1.99/lb. old fashioned hand cut cheddar, $1.49/each ½ gallon Clover organic milk and $1.29/each organic canned tomatoes.

Giving Back To The San Mateo Community

Whole Foods Market is committed to giving back to the community where its team members live and work by supporting food banks, sponsoring neighborhood events, compensating team members for community service work and contributing at least 5 percent of total net profits to not-for-profit organizations.

 

The store will host a pre-opening event to benefit the Peninsula Boys & Girls Club. Events similar to this will take place quarterly at Whole Foods Market and are known as Community Support Days. Tuesday, February 18 marks the first Community Support Day for the San Mateo store. Five percent of sales that day will go toward the Central Elementary School playground reconstruction project to make it environmentally friendly.

“Whole Foods Market is not your typical natural foods store. We bring a whole new approach to supermarkets by remaining uniquely mission driven,” said Whole Foods Market Northern Pacific Regional President Ron Megahan. “We believe that customers will quickly discover Whole Foods Market offers high quality, fresh and great-tasting products at reasonable prices.”