Neil Fusco knows tomatoes. A trained chef and restaurateur, he is a native of the legendary San Marzano region of Italy. Growing up around some of the best tomatoes in the world, it is fitting that Neil would eventually come up with pasta sauces of his own.
“Since the 1800’s in southern Italy, my family has farmed the world’s best tomatoes, the San Marzano variety. These are the tomatoes that I use to make my Cucina Antica brand of cooking sauces as well as my new Monte Bene pasta sauces.” The tomatoes are grown at the foot of Mount Vesuvius in southern Italy, giving the San Marzano tomatoes a truly light, fresh and sweet flavor. Neil’s original brand, Cucina Antica, is sold at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide and is made from 100% DOP San Marzano tomatoes. It is one of our best selling all natural, artisanal pasta sauces.
Neil has now taken his passion for pasta sauce to another level, with a new brand that blends San Marzano tomatoes with locally grown tomatoes from farms in New Jersey. Dubbed “Monte Bene” or “Mountain of Good,” Neil’s new sauce is not only more affordable but it also reflects his desire to promote ethically and sustainably sourced products.
You may be thinking: “New Jersey tomatoes? You gotta be kidding me!” New Jersey is actually the birthplace of the U.S. tomato industry. For a century, millions of cans of brand name soups were made with tomatoes grown, processed and canned in New Jersey. The desire for lower cost raw materials and higher profits moved much of the tomato industry to the sunny valleys of California, leaving behind both farmers and boarded-up factories. Read the rest of this entry »
We are excited to let you know that the just released “Here We Grow” documentary directed by Craig King is now exclusively available in our stores. In this 65-minute film, Craig, a natural foods chef and entrepreneur, explores the current state of our food supply and seeks to educate people about living healthier, more wholesome lives through socially responsible food choices. The film intends to raise national awareness through inspiring interviews and stories that capture the passion and personal investment of a diverse group of individuals. The documentary also educates everyone on the pandemic expansion of dangerous chemicals that were introduced into food seeds and crop soils at an alarming rate over the last 40 years.
Revenues from the film go toward community projects that demonstrate the actions necessary to restore America’s health. 20% of the sales go directly to our partner, Ann Cooper, and her School Lunch Revolution project.
Here’s a trailer from the film. Check it out and look for the DVD in your local Whole Foods Market.
You probably have already heard of Foster’s Lager – it is the most popular Australian beer in the world. But you may not know that this beer has deep roots. Back in 1887 when Foster’s was first brewed, most beer was served at room temperature. Brothers William and Ralph Foster figured their fellow Australians would enjoy a cold beer in that warm climate. And they were right! The Fosters even served it with ice so it could be enjoyed at its best.
Foster’s Brewery, 1870
A classic golden Lager, Foster’s is characterized by a full-bodied malty character and is produced with exclusive yeast and with Pride of Ringwood hops, only grown in Bushy Park, Tasmania and Ovens River, Victoria. The original Foster’s arrived in the US in 1972 packaged in metal cans that looked like motor oil cans. And so it was that Americans nicknamed them “Foster’s Oil Cans.” Look for it featured in our stores in September.
Wondering what you can do NOW to create REAL CHANGE for your school lunch program?
Here’s your chance to get Chef Ann Cooper, a.k.a. the “Renegade Lunch Lady,” to your home town! Ann has been making school lunch programs healthier across the U.S. for the past decade. This is your chance to bring her to your school or district for your very own action plan to improve your lunch program. Find out more about Chef Ann and what she does at www.chefann.com.
How you present your case matters! We will be selecting the winner based on originality and your ability to showcase the need and community excitement around improving your school lunch program.
Example Video
View the video below to see an example entry that might help you with ideas on how to shape yours.
A group of moms, who also happen to be Whole Foods Market Northern California team members, got together and created a “NorCal Moms” Facebook page as a place to offer fellow moms useful information on all aspects of mothering — from choosing healthy foods and products for babies and kids to cool community events.
While a lot of their information is specific to our Northern California stores, we thought this video they put together about shopping for gluten-free products for your kids had universal appeal. Remember: our product mix varies from store to store so the exact items in the video may not be available in your local store. Also, shelf signs and printed shopping lists vary. Check with your store’s customer service team members and they’ll be able to help you.
While I am many years past high school stress and teenage angst, I do fondly remember my adolescent penchant for challenging authority. (Some may argue it never went away!) Around thirteen, the simplicity of childhood started to melt away and suddenly, I was a teenager, looking to discover who I was and how to change the world around me. Now, of course, no teenager wants their parents looking over their shoulder. Yet, in hindsight, I think there are subtle ways that parents can influence the direction of their teens’ world-changing missions. Making sure they are aware of the many issues surrounding our food supply is an excellent place to start – and one where they can take action by voting with their fork three times a day.
Today, we have more media unveiling the truths behind the Standard American Diet, our over-consumptive consumer culture and our modern food system as a whole than ever before. To this end, we would like to offer you some ideas on how to bring home the message without having to personally be the preacher.
Celebrate, fall is here! Lovely fall, my favorite season, filled with orangey red leaves and clear, cold days, the perfect antidote to steamy, sweaty summer. I trade in flip flops for my beloved collection of knee-high boots and pull out my favorite sweaters. I turn off the eternal humming of the air conditioner and get my blankets out of storage. I buy hot cider instead of iced tea and start planning my Halloween costume. But most importantly, I eat.
Fall foods bring back a richness of flavor that is sometimes missing from the lightness that is demanded of delicious, refreshing summer dishes. Osso Bucco doesn’t taste quite right when you’re wearing shorts and sandals in 95° heat. With fall comes the return of so many favorite tastes, and customers are already requesting the top fall food favorites. Read the rest of this entry »
On Monday in Atlanta, Georgia, several hundred people gathered in Piedmont Park with Josh Viertel, president of Slow Food USA, to celebrate their Time for Lunch campaign. It was National Day of Action and this Eat-In (part potluck, part Sit-In) was just one of more than 300 across the country as tens of thousands of people came together on Labor Day to tell Congress that it’s time to get real food into schools. Preliminary results from the field showed that turnout was greater than expected, which demonstrates that people are concerned about our children’s health. Slow Food wants to send a clear message to Congress that the time to update the Child Nutrition Act is now. We have a chance to invest in our children’s health, protect them from food that puts them at risk and teach healthy habits that will last through life. If you haven’t done so yet, you can sign the petition at www.slowfoodusa.org/timeforlunch.
Know what’s in a conventional tampon? Check out what these women had to say and join Seventh Generation’s campaign to support Ovarian Cancer Research. They’ll donate $1 for each visitor to their special Let’s Talk…Period website who signs up to be a Seventh Generation Nation member (up to $22,000).
Check out just a few of the newest products and new varieties of old favorites to hit our shelves.
Lärabar Bars
Three new flavors! These bars are pure and simple, just like nature intended. Each tasty bar contains no more than eight ingredients and is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. Try them all: Peanut Butter and Jelly, Tropical Fruit Tart or German Chocolate Cake.
365 Everyday Value® Premium Body Care™
Now everyday value meets our highest standards for results, quality sourcing, safety and environmental impact. Try the whole line of shampoos, conditioners, body lotions and shower gels.
Pacific Natural Foods Organic Almond Beverages
New family size! Provides all the goodness of organic almonds with no dairy, added sugar or sweeteners. Includes vitamin D and riboflavin without lactose or cholesterol. Now available in convenient, shelf-stable 64-ounce Original or Vanilla.
Small Planet Foods Smoothies
Provides a wheatgrass boost and a full serving of fruit in every smoothie. Get the antioxidant power of vitamin C conveniently—just add water and blend! Try all three varieties: Strawberry Banana, Mango Banana and Berry Pomegranate.
Cascadian Farm Organic Bars
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a perfect balance of wholesome and delicious organic ingredients. Available in crunchy Almond Butter with fiber, Harvest Right with flax and chewy Blueberry Pomegranate.
Nature’s Path Organic Optimum Strawberry and Yogurt Cereal
Fiber for breakfast never tasted so good! Made with organic strawberries, delicious yogurt-covered brown rice crisps and whole grains. Perfect in the morning or as an anytime snack.
Welcome to Whole Story, the official blog of Whole Foods Market.
Don’t know us? In a nutshell, we are the world's leading natural and organic grocer and we’re passionate about healthy food and a healthy planet. Learn more about us.
We’re lucky to have a whole bunch of smart, passionate people doing incredible things in areas like organics, supporting local growers, green practices, fair trade, micro-lending and all kinds of food related stuff. We’ll use this blog to share some of the cool things going on around here.
Of course, what makes this blog really exciting is YOU — so join the conversation!
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We are excited to let you know that the just released “Here We Grow” documentary directed by Craig King is now exclusively available in our stores. In this 65-minute film, Craig, a natural foods chef and entrepreneur, explores the current state of our food supply and seeks to educate people about living healthier, more wholesome lives through socially responsible food choices. The film intends to raise national awareness through inspiring interviews and stories that capture the passion and personal investment of a diverse group of individuals. The documentary also educates everyone on the pandemic expansion of dangerous chemicals that were introduced into food seeds and crop soils at an alarming rate over the last 40 years.
