Articles from Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market and Mad Agriculture today announced a transformative collaboration to launch a national biodiversity highway initiative aimed at reconstructing native ecosystems across American farmland. This visionary program, beginning in and around the Lowery Creek Watershed in Wisconsin, seeks to create a connected highway of climate-resilient habitats restoring biodiversity, improving soil and water health, and strengthening the long-term resilience of the food system.

Whole Foods Market today announced the recipients of its highly anticipated Supplier All-Star Awards for 2024. The 16 brands recognized exemplify excellence through quality, innovation, value, reliability and sustainability, while supporting Whole Foods Market’s purpose to nourish people and the planet.

Whole Foods Market is expanding internationally, announcing today that a new store located at 120 King’s Road, SW3, will open on March 25, 2025. The store is the first new U.K. location for Whole Foods Market since 2014 and will serve as a premium retailer for the historic and celebrated destination of London’s King’s Road in Chelsea.

Whole Foods Market today announced its new Seafood Code of Conduct, reinforcing the company’s commitment to safeguard the human rights and welfare of workers throughout its global seafood supply chain. Building on the company’s industry-leading Quality Standards, the new policy strengthens protections for fishers and vessel crew and sets a higher bar for ethical labor practices and supply chain transparency.

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Whole Foods Market invites shoppers to celebrate the holiday season with the return of its popular 12 Days of Cheese event, running from Dec. 13 through Dec. 24. Handpicked by Whole Foods Market’s Specialty Cheese team, which includes Certified Cheese Professionals (CCPs) recognized by the American Cheese Society for their exceptional knowledge and skills, these distinctive cheeses showcase the best of the best when it comes to high-quality artisanal offerings and are perfect for creating an elevated cheese board or festive spread.

Whole Foods Market continues to raise the bar in cheese expertise with the addition of 40 team members to its growing cohort of Certified Cheese Professionals (CCPs). This year’s achievement reinforces Whole Foods Market’s position as the leading global employer of CCPs – the retailer has supported the development of more than 370 team member CCPs out of more than 1,000 worldwide.

Today, Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council unveiled their top 10 anticipated food trends for 2025 in the retailer’s 10th annual Trends predictions report. Whole Foods Market predicts a boom in hydrating ready-to-drink beverages, a new wave of aquatic ingredients, added crunch to every meal, and fusion snack foods with international appeal — these and more are set to influence the food landscape in the coming year.

Gen Z consumers are placing an overwhelming emphasis on both sustainability and quality in their grocery products, and many are willing to spend more to support brands that reflect these values, according to a recent YouGov survey.

Whole Foods Market has announced the participants for its latest cohort in the Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP), celebrating brands selected for the program’s Early Growth track. Launched in 2022, LEAP highlights Whole Foods Market’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial relationships with local and emerging brands through specialized, educational programming and individual mentorship. Participants may also qualify for a $25,000 equity investment from a donor-advised fund overseen by the Austin Community Foundation, with the funds supporting the Whole Foods Market Foundation through the work of Whole Cities, Whole Kids and Whole Planet.

Whole Foods Market today released its second annual Impact Report – available here – which provides an in-depth look at the company’s investments in reducing waste, championing climate smart agriculture, empowering its Team Members, thoughtfully sourcing its products, and strengthening the communities in which it operates.

Whole Foods Market CEO Jason Buechel, alongside 70 Team Members, rang the Nasdaq opening bell today to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its first New York City flagship store. The 2004 opening of the Columbus Circle flagship store marked a major step in the company’s expansion in New York and transformed the city's grocery offerings with high-quality natural and organic foods in the largest grocery store the city had seen at that time.

Whole Foods Market today announced the recipients of its highly anticipated Supplier All-Star Awards for 2023. The 16 brands recognized exemplify excellence through quality, innovation, value, and sustainability, while enhancing the shopping experience in stores across the country and supporting Whole Foods Market’s purpose to nourish people and the planet.

Whole Foods Market opened the application process for its 2024 Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP) today, seeking 10 innovative food brands not yet sold in Whole Foods Market stores to join the program’s Early Growth cohort. Launched in 2022, LEAP advances Whole Foods Market’s core value of creating win-win partnerships and its longstanding support of local and emerging suppliers by creating mentorship opportunities for cohort participants with Whole Foods Market experts accompanied by months of tailored educational programming.

Whole Foods Market announced today that it is introducing a new, quick-shop store format designed to provide customers in urban neighborhoods a quick, convenient shopping experience with easier access to the fresh, high-quality offerings they expect from Whole Foods Market. The new format, called Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, will initially launch on the Upper East Side in Manhattan with additional locations in New York City to follow. The first store, located at 1175 Third Avenue, is expected to open this year. Following the New York City launch, Whole Foods Market plans to bring the format to other cities across the country.

Whole Foods Market announced a new pollinator policy for its Fresh Produce and Floral purchasing to support pollinators in recognition of the critical role they play in our food system and the environment. The company has long championed pollinator health through its commitment to organic agriculture, which prohibits toxic persistent pesticides.

Whole Foods Market’s annual 12 Days of Cheese returns from Dec. 13 through Dec. 24, highlighting some of the highest quality and world-renowned cheeses that will elevate any charcuterie or cheese board this festive season. Handpicked by Whole Foods Market’s Specialty Cheese team, which includes Certified Cheese Professionals (CCPs) recognized by the American Cheese Society for their exceptional knowledge and skills, these distinctive cheeses showcase the expertise of our highly trained team members.

Today, Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council unveiled their top 10 anticipated food trends for 2024 in the retailer’s ninth-annual Trends predictions report. Caffeine with added benefits, going back to basics in the plant-based category, complex heat from global peppers, and water conservation and stewardship are all among the food trends expected to rise in popularity across the industry in the next year.

Whole Foods Market announced today that 13 distinct blends of Whole Foods Market brand coffee, previously under the Allegro Coffee Company label, will now include the Sourced for Good seal, marking Whole Foods Market’s first grocery-aisle expansion of the third-party certification. All Whole Foods Market brand coffees already carry a third-party certification for sourcing from either Rainforest Alliance or Fair Trade, and now coffee blends will include an additional seal for Sourced for Good. Whole Foods Market brand coffees must also be either organic or Non-GMO Project Verified and meet the retailer’s high quality standards for food ingredients.

This year marks 20 years since Whole Foods Market first attained organic retail certification. To date, the company offers more than 37,000 organic products across its stores and remains the only national retailer to hold this certification.

Whole Foods Market announced participants in its newest cohorts today for two tracks of the Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP): Early Growth and On the Verge. The LEAP initiative launched in 2022 with the inaugural Early Growth cohort, and continues to advance Whole Foods Market’s core value of seeking win-win partnerships with suppliers with access to tailored educational programming and one-on-one mentorship for local brands. Participants in the Early Growth program will be eligible to receive a $25,000 equity investment from a donor-advised fund managed by the Austin Community Foundation, with proceeds benefiting Whole Foods Market’s private operating Foundations.

Whole Foods Market released its annual Impact Report available here, which highlights the grocer’s efforts to be a force for good in the global food system. The report provides a 360-degree view of the company’s strategic approach to combatting food waste, reducing its carbon footprint, consciously sourcing products, and supporting Team Members’ growth and wellbeing.

Whole Foods Market today announced the recipients of its annual Supplier All-Star Awards, recognizing 15 brands that raise the industry bar for quality, innovation, value and social responsibility, and are aligned with Whole Foods Market’s Core Values, such as caring for local communities and practicing win-win partnerships.

Whole Foods Market today opened the 2023 application process for its Local and Emerging Accelerator Program. The initiative, which launched in 2022, advances Whole Foods Market’s core value of seeking win-win partnerships with local suppliers. Participants benefit from the mentorship of Whole Foods Market experts, tailored educational programs and the potential for direct financial support. Each participant’s products are also considered for placement on the shelves of Whole Foods Market stores in their home city or region at the conclusion of the six-month program.

Whole Foods Market is celebrating the holiday season with its annual 12 Days of Cheese, offering customers some of the highest-quality cheeses available at a deep discount from Dec. 13 through 24. This year’s lineup includes reigning World Cheese Award winners, 2022 American Cheese Society winners and several others with previous top recognitions. Each of the selected cheeses will be 30% off during the entire 12-day period. Additionally, a 12 Days of Cheese sampler bag, including three handpicked cheeses, blackberry rosemary spread, salami and crackers, will be available for $29.99.

Today, Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council unveiled their top 10 anticipated food trends for 2023 in the retailer’s eighth-annual Trends predictions. Yaupon-infused beverages, produce packed pastas, repurposed pulp and climate-conscious callouts are among the food trends expected to rise in popularity in the next year.

Today, Whole Foods Market announces a new ice cream sundae collaboration with New York Times Bestselling children’s book author and mom, Camila Alves McConaughey, in celebration of the retailer’s annual frozen treats sale. McConaughey was tapped to develop an exclusive ice cream creation—her Taco Sundae—to be enjoyed at limited-time ice cream pop-ups on National Ice Cream Day at three Whole Foods Market stores.

Today, Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council revealed its first-ever summer condiment trends predictions along with a list of corresponding products from emerging and established brands. The Trends Council – a collective of Whole Foods Market buyers and experts with extensive industry knowledge – predict global barbecue, chili peppers, elevated ketchup and mustard, next-level fermentation, and new takes on ranch will be influencing barbecues and picnics across America this summer.

Today, Whole Foods Market unveils the Resolution Renovator, an online hub that helps people rethink rigid New Year’s resolutions. According to a survey from Whole Foods Market and Wakefield Research, nearly two-thirds (65%) of Americans agree that New Year’s resolutions put extra pressure on them at the start of the year. In addition, many doubt their resolutions will be successful, giving themselves less than a 50% chance, on average, at achieving their resolutions. With the Resolution Renovator, Whole Foods Market is helping consumers set attainable affirmations and intentions at the top of 2022, instead of unrealistic resolutions that are often out of reach.

Today, Whole Foods Market global buyers and experts unveiled their top 10 anticipated food trends for 2022 in the retailer’s seventh-annual Trends predictions. Buzz-less spirits, yuzu, Reducetarianism and functional beverages made with prebiotics and botanicals are among the food influences expected to rise in popularity in the next year.

A recent online survey, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Whole Foods Market, found that parents of kids under 18 reported spending an average of 27.2 minutes per week — equivalent to a cumulative 24 hours annually* – reading food labels and/or thinking about the ingredients in their children’s food. Additionally, 87% of parents with kids under 18 are concerned about the ingredients in their child(ren)’s food, and 69% report worrying less about these ingredients when shopping at a grocer or retailer they know has high ingredient standards. As parents and caregivers across the country once again prepare for the back-to-school season, Whole Foods Market is teaming up with Certified Holistic Nutritionist Kelly LeVeque (@bewellbykelly), a best-selling author, wellness expert and mom of two, to raise awareness of its industry-leading Quality Standards that bring peace of mind back to grocery shopping.

Beginning June 21, Whole Foods Market will give away weekly prizes when weekend rain hits at least half of the continental U.S.

Whole Foods Market revealed its first-ever plant-based trend predictions, with nut-based cheese alternatives, banana blossoms and creamy cashew dips topping the list. Looking ahead to summer and beyond, the grocer’s Trends Council pooled members’ industry knowledge, product-sourcing expertise and hands-on work with emerging and existing plant-forward brands to inform the predictions.

Today, Whole Foods Market launches Sourced for Good, an exclusive third-party-certification program to support responsible sourcing by providing tangible improvements in farmworkers’ lives, strengthening worker communities where products are sourced and promoting environmental stewardship where crops are grown.