At home, we all keep our refrigerators closed and we turn off lights and televisions when we’re not using them, right? That’s just common sense! Until recently, though, larger energy-saving projects like upgrading to more efficient windows or installing solar panels weren’t attractive to the majority of homes, especially if they competed with projects that would enhance a home’s appearance or provide additional space like an extra bedroom or bath. Other than on your bill at the end of the month, many of the results of energy investments can’t be easily seen. Also, we weren’t connecting our increasing demand for energy with the increasingly negative stress on our planet. When we turned up the thermostat, we didn’t see the oil or natural gas that was burned to provide us with heat or the dirty coal that generated much of our electricity – and we didn’t see the air pollution it caused either.

Just like in our homes, many commercial businesses were approaching energy efficiency the same way. There’s only so much money to go around for improvements and, in most cases, projects designed to generate additional sales or remodeling that improved appearance edged out energy investments. Even so, environmentally conscious businesses like Whole Foods Market did things to encourage recycling, mass transportation and using less packaging through our bulk foods departments. Read the rest of this entry »

There can be no life without water. I’ve heard this more than once from my scientist cousin. And of course, he’s right. Our bodies are about 60% water, more or less, and every day that we live, breathe and move, we lose the water we have. So, reasonable deduction tells us we have to replenish that which we are losing!

Our bodies use water to regulate our temperature, transport oxygen and nutrients to our cells, and assist in the process of digestion, metabolism and elimination. Without water, our bodies can’t flush out waste and toxins. Not getting enough leads to dehydration; and this leads to a number of health problems, one of which can be death. Are you with me so far? Read the rest of this entry »

Your best meal of this week may just be my best meal of next week. Best, of course, is highly subjective. It could be healthy, super quick, inexpensive, fabulously delicious – or a combination of all that and more. Whatever your criteria, we want to hear about your Best Meal of the Week. We’ll do this post from time to time and we’ll feature ideas from readers as well as include some of our own.

From Kimberley, a reader:
My best meal this week was a good hamburger. The quality of beef from Whole Foods is top notch and the beef makes the burger. I grilled the burger (seasoned with salt, pepper, green onions, and Worcestershire sauce) medium well, put in it a whole wheat bun, with some cilantro pesto, arugula, and tomatoes. It was the best burger I’ve had in a long time, and it was homemade. Read the rest of this entry »

We thought we’d get in on the fun and post our own “25 Random Things” list. How many of these did you know about us? Do you have a favorite fact about us that has missed our list?

1. Several times a year, our stores hold community giving days (known as “5% Days”) where five percent of that day’s net sales are donated to a local nonprofit or educational organization.
2. Margaret Wittenberg, our Vice President of Global Quality Standards and Public Affairs, was the only retail representative on the board which created the U.S. National Organic Standards.
3. We stopped using disposable plastic bags at checkout on Earth Day 2008, keeping 150 million plastic bags out of the landfills since then.
4. We started with 19 Team Members in 1980, and several of them are still with us!
5. An old joke about our first store was that people confused it for a Volkswagen car dealership because of all the VW Beetles in the parking lot. Read the rest of this entry »

Annie’s has done it again. Just when you think “how are they going to top [insert their latest cool product here]?” – they come out with the next nifty thing that fills a niche. Before talking about their newest product, though, I think a brief history lesson is in order.

Most folks know about Annie’s Homegrown Macaroni and Cheese. It’s a legendary natural foods item. Starting a few years ago, Annie’s decided they wanted to expand their portfolio. They took the lovable bunny that adorns their mac and cheese box and they decided it would make a nice cracker. Literally. No surprise: Annie’s Cheddar Bunny Cracker is loved by millions of kids and adults alike.

Next, Annie’s and that lovable bunny took on the cereal category. They hit another home run with their delicious low sugar cereals. The encore to that? Organic Bunny-shaped Fruit Snacks. Another score.

Now, as I mentioned, how are they going to top all that? Here’s how: an organic version of the classically favorite snack mix? Annie’s developed an organic snack mix devoid of all the artificial flavors and hydrogenated oils of the conventional versions. The mix includes the cheddar bunny cracker, a butter version of the cracker and bunny shaped pretzels. Kids and adults alike will love this great combination of snacky goodness.

The question is not if you’re going to like them, but how will you eat the mix? Will you snack indiscriminately? Will you hoard the pretzels? Will you pick out the butter bunnies for your personal snacking satisfaction? Whatever your style, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this latest tasty endeavor. The snack mix…as well as the other Annie’s items mentioned…are in our stores now, so try a box today for yourself.

Ok, so this blog is actually a confession…Well a couple of confessions!

First off, a bit about Whole Foods Market that people may not know…We work REALLY hard!!! I think sometimes people think we are a bunch of crazy hippies that sell natural & organic food and in between hang out in the back room and eat tofu while sipping herbal tea. Well, actually we ask a lot of our team members at all levels of the company and because most of us are so passionate about what we do it is not uncommon for us to be working 50, 60, 70 hour weeks! In fact, I am writing this blog on a Sunday evening at 8:00pm actually as it was the only time I had to sneak it in to the normal workflow. So all of that work and long hours definitely creates the need for an occasional boost every now and then which leads to confession # 2…

I must admit I really love energy shots and quick fix products that give you a nice KICK, when you are about out of gas. And frankly, I have to tell you that caffeine, especially from natural sources has been a good friend to me lately as we all plug away on those long hours!

So, if you are like me and many of our team members then you will be as stoked as I was to try the new Guayaki Organic Energy Shot (GOES). It is the first ever certified USDA Organic energy shot and it is full of wonderful herbs and of course Yerba Mate so that it gives you a smooth burst of energy without a crash. We all have seen those energy shots at the convenience store that are full of artificial colors, preservatives and sweeteners and other junk that you wouldn’t give to an enemy let alone put in your body. Well, now you can get a super clean, super powerful shot when you check out at Whole Foods Market. By the way, they taste GREAT too, so good that Bevnet recently gave the GOES shots a 5 star rating on their site which is a big honor. Check them out when you need a lift!

]When we’re in the dead of winter here in the U.S., Chile is at the height of their summer season and summer fruit is in full production. (California stone fruit makes its first appearance much later this spring.) If you’re looking for a taste of sunshine in February, read on!

On the produce team we’re always looking for the best fruit available in the market. Our favorite deals are those where we know the grower and have seen the fruit in production across multiple seasons. For the past two winters, Whole Foods Market buyers have trekked to Chile to learn more about the products and people of a country that provides so much summer fruit to our hemisphere when we’re out of season. Read the rest of this entry »

Jump directly to the FDA Product Recall List to search for peanut product recalls, or call CDC-INFO at 1-800-232-4636 for more information.

*Updated 2/20/09*

Added the following vendor products to the list:

71.    TrueNorth Brand Peanut Crisps <Withdrawal> (FL, MA, MW, NA, NE, SO).
72.    Crispy Cat Roasted Peanut candy bars
73.    Beneficial Foods/Nature’s Candy <Withdrawal>:

• Nature’s Candy Peanut Butter Krinkles (Bulk) (MW, RM, SW)
• Nature’s Candy Karob Krinkles (Bulk) (MW, RM, SW)
• Beneficial Foods Omega-3 Uplift Bars (MW, RM, SW)

74.    Marich Confectionery items:

• Milk Chocolate Peanuts (10lb, BULK)   (Some Regions)
• Milk Chocolate Peanuts (8oz Bags)   (Some Regions)
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Toffee  – Unlikely we carry

75. EB Performance PB &Whey Protein Bites bars (FL Only)
Read the rest of this entry »

We always hear that we need to eat more fiber. For most of us, it’s true! The recommended intake for fiber is between 25 to 30 grams daily for most adults, but there are plenty of us who only get about half that. We’ve got to get it together: fiber is really important in maintaining a healthy digestive tract.

But why? First thing to know is that fiber is found only in plant foods. It’s the indigestible, bulkier part of the plant. And because it’s indigestible, it passes through our digestive tract without being broken down. And that’s exactly what makes it so important. By adding bulk, it speeds up the transit time of food through our system, and that, in and of itself, can protect us from many illnesses. Fiber keeps us fuller longer too and it helps stabilize blood sugar levels. That’s a plus for anyone with diabetes or hypoglycemia, and anyone watching their weight. And when it comes to heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, and several other health problems, experts recommend a diet with plenty of fiber. Read the rest of this entry »