OAKVILLE, Ontario (May 2, 2005). Whole Foods Market®, the world's leading natural and organic supermarket, will open its doors on Wednesday May 4, 2005, in Oakville. The much-anticipated store is the second Whole Foods Market located in the Toronto area. The first store opened in May 2002 in Hazelton Lanes in downtown Toronto. The new store will provide Oakville and surrounding area residents with great tasting, high quality foods and a convenient and contemporary shopping experience.
“We know the Oakville area residents have been patiently awaiting the opening of Whole Foods Market on May 4, and we are eager to share our passion for truly delicious, fresh, all natural foods,” said Tanya Kleider, Whole Foods Market Store Team Leader. “Whether they are seeking the largest selection of organically grown produce, all natural and organic meats, fresh artisanal cheeses, or simply an enjoyable shopping experience with outstanding customer service, we look forward to opening our doors and being a part of the Oakville community.”
Spanning 43,000 square feet, the new Whole Foods Market store will offer a vast array of tempting features sure to please the most discerning palate. Featuring restaurant-quality prepared foods and the convenience of one-stop grocery shopping, Whole Foods Market features a number of unique and enticing features including: freestanding pizza and sushi stations, an extensive selection of prepared and specialty foods, an incredible variety of olives and pastas, and a state-of-the-art open kitchen area where shoppers can view the company's premier chefs preparing meals. Designed with a vibrant, welcoming flair, the café area offers shoppers the opportunity to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal or snack in a relaxed setting.
Customers can shop with confidence knowing that Whole Foods Market takes pride in being highly selective about the products placed on its shelves. All products must meet Whole Foods Market's strict quality standards to ensure that they are free of hydrogenated oils and artificial additives, sweeteners, colourings, and preservatives.
“We believe food in its purest state – free of artificial flavours, colours, sweeteners, preservatives, and hydrogenated oils – is the best tasting. Our Team Members are excited to help shoppers explore delicious, natural foods,” said Kleider. “At Whole Foods Market, we guarantee 100 percent customer satisfaction and go to great lengths to delight our customers.”
The new Whole Foods Market store will also provide shoppers with the attention and convenience of a neighbourhood butcher shop with the widest collection of prime meats and poultry raised to the company's strict natural meat standards, free of antibiotics and hormones, minimally processed and never fed animal byproducts.
For the bakery lover, there will be freshly baked hearth breads and tempting cookies. For those with dietary concerns, the bakery will include a delicious variety of gluten-free and wheat-free baked goods sure to please even the most discerning taste buds.
Additionally, the Whole Body™ department will present the largest selection of luxurious natural and organic body care items and cosmetics and a large array of unadulterated nutritional supplements and vitamins. Customers will be able to enjoy a make-up station where they can test selected products and take home samples. All products in Whole Body are made with the highest quality natural ingredients, are free of harsh chemicals and unnecessary fillers, and have never been tested on animals.
Whole Foods Market has a history of maintaining a deep commitment to each of the communities it serves. The company donates at least five percent of its after-tax profits to non-profit organizations, and Whole Foods Market also holds quarterly Community Support Days, in which five percent of the day's gross sales are donated to a local non-profit organization.
A Community Support Day for the Oakville Hospital Foundation to support Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital will be held on June 15, 2005. On that day, five percent of the store's sales will be donated to the Foundation. The Foundation strives to ensure that Oakville residents have access to the highest quality healthcare services, which government funding alone cannot provide. With community support, the Foundation works to ensure essential healthcare services and resources will continue to be available to meet the community's increasing needs.
Whole Foods Market is a progressive employer offering competitive compensation, benefits and a respectful work environment. In fact, the company was named by Fortune Magazine as as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America for the past eight consecutive years. Its team structure emphasizes customer service, respect, empowerment and professional and financial rewards. Store Team Members make decisions that impact their areas of responsibility and contribute to their overall success and that of the store.
What Makes Whole Foods Market Oakville So Special?
- Fresh, in-store roasted coffee beans and espresso bar
- Meat carving station for hot sandwiches
- Made-to-order sushi
- Brick oven pizzeria
- Made-to-order noodle and teriyaki bowls
- Rotisserie chicken station
- Italian kitchen
- More than 30 feet of help-yourself food bars featuring cold salads and hot entrées
- Ready-to-eat prepared foods that are healthy and delicious
- Ethnic cuisine from the deli, prepared fresh daily
- No artificial flavours, additives, preservatives or colours
- Largest selection of fresh, locally grown organic produce
- Fresh seafood delivered six days a week
- Organic and free range poultry and pork that is antibiotic and hormone-free
- Hormone and antibiotic-free Ontario beef
- Dry-aged beef
- More than 300 varieties of artisan cheeses
- International olive bar
- Organic and European artisan hearth-style breads baked fresh daily
- Organic and additive-free frozen foods
- Many organic dairy products
- Bulk foods including granolas, nuts and pastas
- Whole Foods Market store brands: 365 Everyday Value™, 365 Organic Everyday Value™, Whole Kids Organic™
- A floral and garden centre with a selection of cut flowers, plans and seasonal organic flowers.
- All natural beauty and body care products, including bulk herbs
- Dietary supplements
- Environmentally-friendly cleaning products
- Natural pet food
