Source: LOHAS Weekly Newsletter
Published: Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Whole Foods Market® (Nasdaq: WFMI - News), the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket, opened the doors of the new Belmar store. The store provides area residents with more than 55,000 square feet of the freshest, highest quality foods in an atmosphere that transforms shopping into an exciting, sensory experience. Located at 444 South Wadsworth Boulevard, this will be the company's fourth store in the Denver area and its seventh in Colorado.

"We are enthusiastic to bring high quality and delicious food at a great value to the Jefferson County community. Everyone says they want to live near Whole Foods Market and we have made it possible," said Belmar Store Marketing Director, Allison Trembly.

Among the many exciting features of the new Belmar store are: a 96-foot meat department, an in-house meat and seafood smoker, a sit-down seafood restaurant, an organic salad bar, and freshly baked artisan breads. The store will also boast a rainbow of hand-stacked produce, fresh in-house sushi, an olive and antipasti bar and handmade, natural doughnuts. In addition to these culinary delights, the store will also offer a comprehensive selection of body care products and a full line of organic baby wear.

A Focus on Local and Regional Foods and Manufacturers

Whole Foods Market maintains a strong commitment to offering local and regional foods and is a proud participant in the Colorado Proud program. Whole Foods Market recognized early on that, to maintain its regional identity and support regional producers, it needed to set a limit on the number of products it would purchase nationally. Purchasing local and regional products allows Whole Foods Market and its customers to support unique local economies, farmers and flavors while enjoying the widest variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available in any season.

"Our local products vary from nut butters to goat yogurts," said Rocky Mountain Grocery Field Associate Jerard Whitehead. "Buying locally not only gives the shoppers a chance for the freshest products possible, but it also provides tremendous support to the local farmers and ranchers. We are proud of our relationships with our regional manufacturers. We are working together as true partners."

Destine's Goat Yogurt, Evan's Salsa, Roberto's Salsa, Blue Moose Salsa, Boulder Hot Salsa, Nest Fresh Eggs, Clark's Honey, Nita Crisp Crackers, Sister Pantry Peanut Sauce / Cilantro Lime Sauce, Justin's Nut Butter, Fiona's Granola and Little Kettle Popcorn are among the foods fresh from the farm that can be plucked from the shelves at Whole Foods Market.

Andy Clark, Colorado Facility Team Leader for the Colorado Bakehouse, said, "Our local producers provide a wealth of high quality baking ingredients. For our Bakehouse products, for example, we purchase honey from Madhava, a 13-employee local honey producer in Lyons, CO; and all-natural, organic flour from Rocky Mountain Milling in Platteville, CO."

Joe Lippis from Lippis Farm in Colorado said, "Whole Foods Market has saved my farm and kept my business alive. I don't know what I would have done with my Organic Farm without your store. You are good business."

 

     Top Ten Reasons Whole foods Market Buys Locally

*  Stay connected to the seasons

Local farm production allows shoppers to experience seasonal and

regional flavors, along with a wider range of crops, including

heirloom and unique varieties.

*  Reduce distance from farm to plate

The average produce travels 1,500 miles from farm to plate.  Buying

closer to home reduces the distance, transportation costs and the

environmental impact.

*  Get the freshest available

Community farmers offer the most flavorful pick of seasonal produce

fresh from the field to the stores and shoppers.

*  Enjoy your produce more

Fruits allowed to ripen on the tree longer simply taste better! Buying

from local farmers ensures these flavorful, fresh products reach

shoppers faster.

*  Put a face behind the product

Local farmers interact with the communities and the markets they

supply and are thus more available for suggestions from Whole Foods

Market and shoppers.

*  Support local jobs

Giving back to the community is one of the core values of Whole Foods

Market.  Supporting local family farmers and co-operatives creates and

saves local jobs.

*  Support local communities

Buying locally-grown products keeps that money in the pockets of the

farmers in the shared community.

*  Support independent farming

Independent farmers are personally concerned with quality,

sustainability and the community.  They are able to make decisions on

how to treat their own land.

*  Provide farmers with a living wage

Local farmers often sell directly to the markets.  By eliminating the

middle man, they receive the full price for their product.

*  Support responsible land development

Small, local farms and grower co-operatives are a valuable part of the

communities in which they exist, caring for the land and preserving

open spaces.

The new Belmar store, along with all other Colorado Whole Foods Market stores, runs on wind power from Renewable Choice Energy, a local Colorado- based company and a leading national provider of wind power.