Whole Foods Market® to open in Noe Valley on September 30

EMERYVILLE, Calif. (September 28, 2009) – Whole Foods Market is thrilled to announce that it will open its new San Francisco store in Noe Valley at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 30, with a bread breaking ceremony at 9:45 am.  Bevan Dufty, San Francisco City Supervisor, District 8, and Whole Foods Market store leadership will be on hand to cut the traditional eight-foot long sourdough bread and welcome shoppers into the store.

The new store, located at 3950 24^th Street in the old Bell Market location, will feature a wide range of products from more than 50 made-in-San Francisco producers including Lev’s Probiotics, Maggie Mudd, Dr. Melina Bars, Poco Dolce, 479° Popcorn, Mission Mini Donuts, We Love Jam, Philz Coffee, 21^st Amendment Brewery and a multitude of La Cocina vendors. Additionally, over 200 local producers that are in the San Francisco Foodshed (defined by American Farmland Trust as farms and ranches that are within 100 miles of San Francisco) will be featured including Durst Organic Growers, Happy Boy, Devoto Gardens and Dirty Girl Produce.

Whole Foods Market Noe Valley is also currently working with the James Lick Middle School to create an Edible Schoolyard during the 2009-2010 school year. The James Lick Edible Schoolyard will be a partnership with members of Whole Foods Market Noe Valley; James Lick staff, parents and student body; the Noe Valley Farmers’ Market and the California Culinary Academy. For the first year, the garden will be incorporated into James Lick’s 7^th grade science curriculum.

“Noe Valley is such a wonderful neighborhood, and we are thrilled to become part of this vibrant and diverse community,” said Angela Lorenzen, store team leader for Whole Foods Market Noe Valley. “I hope that Noe Valley and surrounding area neighbors come to think of our store as their community ‘go to’ grocer. Whole Foods Market is a place where folks can find the highest quality natural and organic foods as well as a place filled with awesome team members that can help them with all their needs – be it information on special dietary requirements, shopping on a budget to choosing the right products for their children.”

Some of the highlights that Noe Valley Whole Foods Market shoppers can look forward to enjoying:

• Kombucha – Kombucha Botanica’s Healthy Living Tonic™ will be available on tap.

• Coffee Bar – fresh-brewed coffee daily from Allegro® as well as sell a variety of beans from San Francisco coffee roasters including Philz Coffee, Ritual Coffee Roasters, De La Paz Coffee and Vasquez Coffee Company.

• Meat – meat department featuring the best-tasting, freshest and highest quality meat available that is carefully raised without antibiotics or added growth hormones, as well as hand-made sausage and a professional butcher who can prepare any cut to order.

• Seafood – vast array of fresh and frozen selections, as well as all the marinades, sauces, seasonings and herbs to complete a meal with seafood as the centerpiece. Whole Foods Market’s seafood standards are industry leading and in December 2008, for the second time in a row, Whole Foods Market was named the nation’s “No. 1 Retailer” on Greenpeace’s Retail Seafood Sustainability Scorecard. Whole Foods Market also offers a selection of seafood products certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

• Prepared Foods – mealtimes are a snap with an extensive selection of healthful, ethnic and comfort foods made exclusively for Whole Foods Market by La Cocina (lacocinasf.org).  Featured La Cocina vendors include Zella’s Soulful Kitchen, El Buen Comer, 3Spoons and Shi Gourmet. A wonderful array of healthful and tasty lunch options also will be available on a daily basis.

• Artisan Bakery – featuring Whole Foods Market Artisan Hearth Breads (made with organic flour) baked fresh daily and an array of delectable items from Inticing Creations, Kika’s Treats, Clairsquares, La Cocina; fresh pastries from La Boulange and mini cupcakes from Mission Minis.

• Nut Butters – grind-your-own almond and peanut butter station.

• Bulk Section – large variety of bulk bins brimming with olive oil, honey and agave syrup as well as legumes, grains, flours and nuts.

• Store Tours – the store will offer shopping tours tailored to special diets including plant-based diets, food allergies and healthy eating for back-to-school as well how to shop on a budget.  Private tours can be arranged by request for organizations like schools and senior centers.  These tours will start in November and will be free.

• “Tuesday Tours: A Taste of Whole Foods Market” – both seasoned shoppers and new customers can benefit from a guided store tour and learn everything about shopping at Whole Foods Market and will be free.

• Whole Foods Market 5% Days — four times a year, Whole Foods Market sets aside a day on which 5 percent of the day's net sales is contributed to a local 501(c)3 non-profit organization. One 5 percent day, scheduled for early 2010, will benefit the James Lick Middle School.

• Community Spotlight Series: Whole Foods Market is passionate about supporting the causes that are important to our customers and neighbors. Each month, we shine our spotlight on a different non-profit organization and help them spread the word.  Upcoming Spotlight’s are held at the store and include:

•  

  • Meet Rebuilding Together San Francisco: Rebuilding Together San Francisco provides free repair and renovation programs for low-income, elderly and disabled San Franciscans and for nonprofit and community facilities.  They will celebrate their 20^th Anniversary on October 17^th– to learn more go to: www.rebuildingtogethersf.org. Wednesday, October 7^th from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • Meet Food Runners:  Food Runners is a volunteer organization dedicated to alleviating hunger in San Francisco. Much of the excess food from our store is picked up by Food Runners volunteers and taken to shelters and neighborhood programs that feed the hungry.  Learn more about them at: foodrunners.org. Thursday, October 22^nd from 12 noon – 2 p.m.

   

• GreenOps Tracking System – a product-specific and consumer-driven recycling program available curbside at Whole Foods Market Noe Valley that will offer shoppers real-time redemption coupons to be used in the store. Additionally, ala greenopolis.com, recyclers will be eligible for Think Green Rewards which will provide discounts and coupons good for entertainment, dining, travel and more. The GreenOps Tracking System differentiates itself by being product and material specific, it is traceable, and offers recycling on the go. Post-consumer PET will go to carpet makers and to make Earthbound Farms packaging, glass will primarily go to the wine industry, aluminum to beer brewers and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) will be routed to Epic Plastics – makers of faux wood decking.

• Kids Club – all children, ages 2-8, are eligible to be Kid’s Club members. They receive a membership card which allows them to receive one free Kid’s Club treat each time they visit the store.

• “Whole Paws” Pet Club – the Pet Club member card allows pet(s) to receive one free dog treat every time they visit the store.

Store Information Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Location: 3950 24^th Street, San Francisco, CA, 94114 Telephone: 415-282-4700 Web site: www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/noevalley Facebook: www.facebook.com/wholefoodsmarketnoevalley Twitter: www.twitter.com/wfmnoevalley About Whole Foods Market® Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com), a leader in the natural and organic foods industry and America’s first national certified organic grocer, was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” in 2008 by Health magazine. The Whole Foods Market motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures the company’s mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to its 51,100 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 13 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2008, the company had sales of $8 billion and currently has more than 280 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market, Fresh & Wild^TM, and Harry’s Farmers Market® are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP.  Wild Oats® and Capers Community Market^TM are trademarks owned by Wild Marks, Inc.