Whole Foods Market Showcases All Organic, USA-Sourced Non-Dairy Beverage Options

"AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Whole Foods Market (Nasdaq: WFMI), today announced the expansion of its all organic and domestically sourced non-dairy beverage line as it launches the company's first almond milk line –including the industry's first-ever private label refrigerated organic almond milk– and light soymilk in Original and Vanilla varieties under its value-priced 365 Organic Everyday Value brand– available now in Whole Foods Market stores nationwide.

"When choosing our nutritious non-dairy beverage options, shoppers can feel confident that they're not only getting the freshest, most flavorful options available, but also the peace of mind that the products are all organic and sourced from American farms, at a great value price 365 days a year," said Chris Slick, Senior Global Coordinator for Exclusive and Store Brands for Whole Foods Market. "We're thrilled to continue offering shoppers the highest quality, responsibly sourced choices in the category with our organic store brand line.""

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Whole Foods Market® to Celebrate 30 Years of Organic Agriculture, Environmental Stewardship, Local Communities and Making Grocery Shopping Fun

"AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Whole Foods Market (Nasdaq: WFMI) turns 30 this September, celebrating three decades of offering the highest quality natural and organic foods and supporting organic agriculture, environmental stewardship and local producers. With a birthday bash at its world headquarters and festivities at all of its stores, Whole Foods Market will acknowledge not only its past accomplishments, but also future food, farming and environmental initiatives for healthier communities and planet."

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Whole Foods Market Reports Third Quarter Results

"AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whole Foods Market, Inc. (Nasdaq: WFMI) today reported results for the 12-week third quarter ended July 4, 2010. Sales increased 15% to $2.2 billion. Comparable store sales increased 8.8%, or 6.3% on a two-year stacked basis. Identical store sales, excluding three relocations, increased 8.4%, or 4.6% on a two-year stacked basis. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) increased 27% to $179.8 million from $141.4 million last year. Income available to common shareholders increased 88% to $65.7 million from $35.0 million last year, and diluted earnings per share increased 53% to $0.38. Results included relocation, store closure and lease termination costs of $0.7 million versus $18.2 million in the prior year. "

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Whole Foods’ stock can leave sour taste in investors’ mouths

"Legendary investor Peter Lynch, in his many investment speeches and books, always encouraged people to “buy what you know.” His reputation was built on the idea that he would go to a shopping mall, see a lot of activity or spot some new trend at a store, and come home with a new investment in the bag.

If only it was that easy. Lynch, of course, came home to a team of analysts, and the potential to meet with management and gauge their abilities firsthand and more. All the average person comes home with is some good will for the store and a bag full of anything from groceries to luxury items."

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Wyoming tribe's beef deal with Whole Foods ends

"DENVER — A deal for the Northern Arapaho Tribe in Wyoming to sell organic, grass-fed beef to Whole Foods Market Inc. has fallen through, a beef distributor said Wednesday.
Panorama Meats Inc., which bought the beef from the tribe and sold it to Whole Foods, said the agreement ended in March when tribal officials asked for a 29 percent price increase.
"That's a heck of a jump in one fell swoop," said Mack Graves, CEO of Vina, Calif.-based Panorama.
Graves said the increase was more than Whole Foods wanted to pay."

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Whole Foods to Remove Non-Certified, Mislabeled "Organic" Body Care Products from their Stores

"It is with great excitement that I am sharing with you our official company policy & associated actions via our Quality Standards team related to Organic Personal Care:

Whole Foods Market's policy on the use of the word "organic" on personal care products

We believe that the "organic" claim used on personal care products should have very similar meaning to the "organic" claim used on food products, which is currently regulated by the USDA's National Organic Program. Our shoppers do not expect the definition of "organic" to change substantially between the food and the non-food aisles of our stores. Accordingly, the following requirements apply to all personal care products which use the word "organic" in any way on the product label."

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Whole Foods Market(R) Collaborates With Online Community food52 for Weekly Recipe Contest Highlighting Flavors of Summer

"AUSTIN, Texas, June 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whole Foods Market (Nasdaq: WFMI), the leading natural and organic foods supermarket, today announced it is collaborating with food52, an online community for home cooks, to hold weekly recipe contests during June and July.

Founded by Amanda Hesser, author and former New York Times food editor and editor of T Living, and Merrill Stubbs, freelance food writer and editor, food52 holds weekly recipe contests and uses crowd-sourcing and curation to bring its members recipes, shopping tips, blogs and conversation."

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Whole Foods Market(R) to Carry Converted Organics' Products in Total of 84 Stores With New Distribution Through North Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic Store

"BOSTON, May 4, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Converted Organics Inc. (COIN 1.16, +0.02, +1.75%) is pleased to announce that the number of Whole Foods Market(R) (WFMI 40.25, +0.01, +0.03%) stores offering its line of all-natural, organic fertilizers has increased from 18 stores in 2009 to 84 stores in 2010, with the Company's all-natural fertilizer products now available in two new Whole Foods Market areas, the North Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic regions.

"We're very excited about this development," said David A. Flannery, Vice President of Marketing for Converted Organics. "Whole Foods is excited about expanding with Converted Organics' products because they're effective, and because they like our concept of converting food waste into valuable resources, namely an all-natural fertilizer, while also helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by diverting food waste from going to landfills," he added."

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Whole Foods Market, Inc. Announces Second Quarter Earnings Conference Call and Webcast

"AUSTIN, Texas, April 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whole Foods Market, Inc. (Nasdaq: WFMI) today announced it will issue financial results for the Company's second fiscal quarter ended April 11, 2010, after the market closes on Wednesday, May 12, 2010. Following the release via the wire services, the Company will host a conference call with financial analysts and investors beginning at 4:00 p.m. (CT).

To participate, dial (800) 862-9098 (domestic) and (785) 424-1051 (international). The conference ID is "Whole Foods." Please dial in at least five minutes before the start of the conference call. A simultaneous audio webcast will be available through a link on the Company's website at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/company/index.php. The webcast will be archived for a minimum of 30 days."

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Recall: Whole Foods Yellowfin Tuna Steaks May Contain High Levels of Toxin Histimine

"Whole Foods Market, the world's largest retailer of natural and organic foods, is recalling frozen yellowfin tuna steaks because the fish could have high levels of the toxin histimine.

The affected tuna steaks were sold in 12-ounce packages labeled "Whole Catch Yellow fin Tuna Steaks." There is a best if used by date of Decemeber 5, 2010 and lot code 4853309157A on each package.
The Centers for Disease Control says high histimine levels can cause scombroid poisoning, an allergic reaction with symptoms including tingling or burning sensations in the mouth, facial swelling, rash, hives and itchy skin, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea."

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Whole Foods Launches Earth Month Festival

"Whole Foods Market, which has long positioned itself as the thought leader in the organic foods movement, wants to take America to the movies. The retailer is sponsoring a month-long "Let's Retake Our Plates" initiative, screening 15 educational food films in markets across the country.

The selected films focus on "the challenges and realities of the industrialized food system," the Austin, Texas-based company says in its release. The list includes "Food, Inc.," an Academy Award nominee this year in the documentary category, "King Corn" and "No Impact Man," as well as a few sci-fi classics, like "Soylent Green" (1973) and "Silent Running" (1972.)"

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Whole Foods Market Kahului Opens Doors to Excited Maui Shoppers

"Whole Foods Market Kahului opened its doors to the public for the first time at 9 a.m. this morning to a crowd of excited shoppers. Morning festivities kicked off with Whole Foods Market's traditional bread breaking ceremony, food and product samples by local vendors as well as demonstrations. The first 200 shoppers to spend $50 or more were also treated to a Whole Foods Market Kahului exclusive reusable tote, with a fresh Maui Gold pineapple inside.

"We have been looking forward to joining the Maui community for many years and are so excited to be here and celebrate this day with our shoppers," said Ray Stockton, Whole Foods Market Kahului, store team leader. "Whether you are a first-time customer or a long-time patron of Whole Foods Market, we look forward to seeing you at our new Kahului store and providing all of our shoppers with the level of excellence and service that our brand is known for.""

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Firm Buys $425 Million Stake in Whole Foods

"A Los Angeles-based private equity firm has bought a $425 million stake in Whole Foods Market Inc., giving the organic food grocer a cash infusion as it struggles to grow its sales during a tumultuous economic time.

Leonard Green & Partners will receive preferred stock that — if converted to common shares today — would give the firm a 17 percent stake in Whole Foods. The move was cheered by Wall Street, and Whole Foods shares shot up 19 percent in after-hours trading.

The news comes as Whole Foods reported one of its worst quarters ever, as same-store sales growth slowed in the company's fiscal fourth quarter to 0.4 percent and profit dropped 96 percent from the same time last year to $1.5 million. Only 2 and a half years ago, Whole Foods regularly posted double-digit sales increases and was the darling of Wall Street. But in the past year, its stock has sunk about 75 percent."

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Whole Deal Program to Feature Martha Stewart

"USTIN, Texas, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- From pan roasting to slow cooking, fall favorites create welcome aromas in the kitchen and savings in the pocketbook, thanks to sure deals, coupons and budget-conscious recipes found in the new quarterly The Whole Deal(TM) value guide at Whole Foods
Market (Nasdaq: WFMI).

To help shoppers create healthy, flavorful and wallet-friendly weeknight meals, Whole Foods Market has collaborated with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia and popular food bloggers who share favorite recipes and cooking techniques.


In the first of Whole Foods Market's "Learn to Cook and You'll Learn to Save!" series, Martha Stewart provides step-by-step instructions for pan- roasting chicken and roasting vegetables from her new book, Martha Stewart's Cooking School (on-sale October 21). Martha will also be highlighting recipes like these in new "Cooking School" segments on her syndicated daytime program, "The Martha Stewart Show" beginning October 21."

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Whole Foods to Woo Customers with Whole Deal Campaign

"Whole Foods built its reputation by helping its customers steer clear of "cheap" foods loaded with empty calories, hydrogenated fats and high-fructose corn syrup.

But somewhere along the way the country's largest organic and natural foods supermarket chain also managed to earn the nickname "Whole Paycheck."

Now as the average supermarket shopper becomes increasingly focused on trimming the grocery bill, the company is trying to counter its pricey reputation with the "Whole Deal," a campaign to change the company's image through in-store "value tours" and money-saving coupons."

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Whole Foods to Help Out Tomato Farmers

"First, it was the world's three biggest fast food companies; now Whole Foods Market has promised the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to help raise pay and improve working conditions for tomato harvesters.

The Texas-based natural foods giant agreed Tuesday to pay a penny and a half more per pound for Florida tomatoes and to establish higher labor standards for the workers who pick them.

Whole Foods is the first grocery chain to join Burger King, McDonald's and Yum Brands (owner of Taco Bell and KFC, among other chains), in signing the agreement with the 4,000-plus-member farmworker organization.

Coalition member Greg Asbed has said the raise means workers' yearly wages could rise from about $10,000 to between $16,000 and $17,000. Although there are no exact numbers, there are likely between 10,000 and 30,000 migrant farmworkers in Florida, according to government estimates. Southwest Florida accounts for about a third of the state's tomato crop, worth roughly $619 million last year, said Reggie Brown, vice president of the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, a cooperative group, to which 90 percent of the state's growers belong."

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Whole Foods' Margaret Wittenberg Named to Board of the Organic Center

"AUSTIN, Texas, Sept 04, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Whole Foods Market(R) (WFMI WFMI 17.99, -0.99, -5.2%) , the leading natural and organic foods supermarket, announced that Margaret M. Wittenberg, the Company's Global Vice President for Quality Standards and Public Affairs, has been selected to serve as one of four new members on the Board of Directors for The Organic Center. Based in Boulder, Colorado, The Organic Center is a nonprofit organization that advances peer-reviewed scientific research and information behind the health and environmental benefits of organic food and farming, and communicates those benefits to the public.
"It's a real honor to be chosen to participate in this important organization," said Wittenberg. "I look forward to working with the rest of the Board to support more research of organic farming and practices and helping to communicate its benefits to the public and policy makers."

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Whole Foods Requests Different Judge

"WASHINGTON, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Organic premium grocer Whole Foods (WFMI.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) has asked the Federal Trade Commission, which is assessing whether its merger with rival Wild Oats is legal, to use an administrative law judge to hear the case, not a commissioner already on record as questioning the merger.

The FTC has named Commissioner Thomas Rosch to oversee the case, but Whole Foods said he should recuse himself, citing the fact that he was one of the commissioners who voted in June 2007 to investigate the merger as one that potentially violates antitrust statutes."

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Recall: Whole Foods 365 Organic Everyday Value Popcorn May Contain Undeclared Milk Ingredients

"AUSTIN, Texas — August 14, 2008 — Whole Foods Market today is recalling 365 Organic Everyday Value Popcorn, Lightly Salted because it may contain undeclared milk ingredients. The popcorn in these packages was incorrectly flavored with a white cheddar seasoning which includes milk ingredients; the seasoning may not be visibly apparent. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk ingredients run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.

This product was distributed to and sold in Whole Foods Market retail stores in California, Arizona, Nevada, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Oregon, New Jersey, New York and Washington.

The product is sold in a blue and white 5 ounce bag with a picture of popcorn in a red and white container. The product is labeled as 365 Organic Everyday Value Organic Popcorn, Lightly Salted with a UPC of 9948240552. The recalled product’s lot code is stamped on the front top right corner and reads “Sell By 10/28/08″ or “Sell By 10/29/08″."

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Whole Foods Cuts 49 Jobs at Austin HQ

"Whole Foods Market Inc. said Wednesday it is cutting 49 jobs at its Austin headquarters.

The announcement came after Whole Foods reported disappointing third-quarter financial results last week. The company blamed the ailing economy for its performance and said it was beginning cost-cutting measures.

"Due to the current economic environment and the impact it is having on our business, Whole Foods Market regrets to announce that we are eliminating 49 out of its 650 positions that report to our global headquarters in Austin," the company said in a statement.

It is rare for Whole Foods to lay off employees. It was not immediately clear which departments within the company's headquarters are going to be affected.

Whole Foods has a history of weathering economic dips and rises well. But the latest economic downturn, coupled with a rise in fuel costs, has hurt the chain of 270 natural and organic food stores."

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