LOS ANGELES, CA (February 9, 2012)

Starting February 8, 2012, one video will be released every day, leading up to the series conclusion on Valentine’s Day. Produced by Omelet, a Los Angeles-based branding, advertising and entertainment company, “In The Market – An Organic Love Story” features a charming, lovable shopper, Ben who, with the help of his friends — Alex and Ted — sets out to find his Valentine before he turns 30 on Valentine’s Day. With his eye on every girl in yoga pants, Ben attempts to “arouse the lady buds” with everything from free wine to his attempts at “gourmet” cooking.

“For many of our shoppers Whole Foods Market isn’t just where they go to grab all the fixings for dinner – it’s where they go to find the ingredients for love,” said Andi Dowda, regional marketing coordinator Whole Foods Market – Southern Pacific Region. “And with romance on the mind this time of year, these films are a fun, light-hearted approach to spreading that love for our shoppers to enjoy.”

“Anyone can find love in the most unlikely places. As our character Ben put it, ‘if you meet someone in Whole Foods, at least you know you have one thing in common — you both shop at the same store,’” added Dowda.

To see if our Whole Foods Market shopper finds true love, visit www.wholefoodslovelocal.com.

“In the Market – An Organic Love Story” is part of a newly-launched series of mini-documentaries called “Love Local,” which celebrates the relationships Whole Foods Market’s Southern Pacific region stores have forged with their local partners, team members and customers. For more information on Whole Foods Market’s “Love Local” campaign please visit www.wholefoodslovelocal.com.

“Tim, Nathan and Robin each have tremendous energy and commitment in leading our Whole Foods Market team members,” said Bill Jordan, Whole Foods Market regional vice president. “We know that they will bring this same diligence to the Kailua community as we continue to expand and connect Hawai‘i residents with high-quality, local and natural food and produce.”

Tim Talkington has been serving as the store team leader of Whole Foods Market’s Kahului store for several months and has 15 years of retail experience.  Prior to his move to Hawai‘i, he was the store team leader of Whole Foods Market’s store in Tucson, Arizona. Talkington started his career as a bagger at Reay’s Market and worked his way up the leadership ladder as the store went through two company buyouts. Talkington also helped to open Wild Oats’ store in Long Beach, California, contributing to its success and changeover to Whole Foods Market.

“It is always exciting to be a part of opening a new store – but this opening in Kailua feels particularly special as I celebrate the opening with my new home and the community,” said Talkington. “I look forward to getting to know our Kailua shoppers and having our store and team members become active participants in the Windward community.”

Robin Burton has been an associate store team leader for Whole Foods Market’s K?hala store since 2010. She joined Whole Foods Market in 2008 overseeing environmental initiatives in the company’s Rocky Mountain region, eventually transferring to store operations. Prior to moving to Hawai‘i she served as career development associate store team leader at Whole Foods Market’s Superior store in Boulder County, Colorado.

Nathan Bulicek began his career at Whole Foods Market eight years ago and has experience at a variety of positions including grocery team member, customer service associate team leader, receiving supervisor, grocery associate team leader as well as career development associate store team leader. A native of Grand Rapids, Iowa, Bulicek has lived in California for the past 25 years, and most recently opened the Whole Foods Market in Huntington Beach where he served as associate store team leader.

KAHULUI

“Mark is a talented member of the Whole Foods Market team and will do a wonderful job of leading our Maui store,” said Bill Jordan, Whole Foods Market regional vice president. “We look forward to watching him bring his unique vision and commitment to customer service to our island shoppers.”

Martinez hails from Corpus Christi, Texas and began his career with Whole Foods Market at its San Antonio store in 1996. He spent several years in the meat department, eventually becoming the team leader of the department in 2002 for the company’s flagship Austin, Texas store. For the last three and a half years, Martinez has worked as an associate store team leader at each of the San Antonio/Austin metro area’s three stores.

“I am excited for this opportunity to become a part of the Maui community and can’t wait to hit the ground running, getting to know our shoppers and learning all that these beautiful islands have to offer,” said Martinez.

For additional information on Whole Foods Market’s Kahului store, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/maui/ or call (808) 872-3310. To keep up-to-date on the latest store news, events and sales, follow Whole Foods Market Kahului on twitter at www.twitter.com/wfmkahului or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WFMKahului.

“We are excited to partner with Whole Foods Market to encourage safe and nurturing environments for all our keiki on Maui and throughout the state,” said Randy Echito, executive director of Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui. “The One Strong ‘Ohana campaign is an important step towards raising awareness about child abuse and neglect in Hawai‘i, but one that we could not take without a strong network of community partners, businesses and families working together.”

Throughout the month of January, Whole Foods Market Kahului store will be hosting events in store to raise awareness and funds to support island keiki. In addition to hosting several family events, the store will host its first Recycle Your Change fundraiser of 2012 to benefit the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui, which works to provide services to children suffering from abuse and neglect.

“The One Strong ‘Ohana Campaign is a cause that really speaks to the Whole Foods Market mission to promote health lifestyles for our shoppers inside and out,” said Elyse Ditzel, marketing director for Whole Foods Market Kahului. “It takes a village to raise a child – by picking up groceries or preparing a nutritious meal for a family, you can do simple things to strengthen a family.”

This January, Whole Foods Market will be hosting the following keiki-friendly events to kick off its participation in the One Strong ‘Ohana campaign:

Recycle Your Change Fundraiser to Benefit Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui: December 19, 2011 – April 8, 2012

Whole Foods Market registers will be accepting donations to benefit the Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of Maui through April 18, 2012 in celebration of the ‘One Strong Ohana launch. The Recycle Your Change program provides customers an opportunity to support nonprofits by ‘recycling’ their left over change when making a purchase at Whole Foods Market. Recent recipients of this program include the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, Maui High School Project Graduation, A-KAKU, Slow Food Maui and Read Aloud America.

Healthy Keiki in the Kitchen: Saturday, January 7, 2012, 11 a.m.  (FREE)

This free class gives keiki a fun, hands-on afternoon learning how delicious healthy eating can be! Perfect for keiki five to 12 years of age, Keiki in the Kitchen starts with a brief introduction to the Aggregate Nutrient Density Index (ANDI), which analyzes the nutrients of different foods. Participants will receive a tour of the aisles before learning some easy recipes to make and take home for future use. To RSVP, email spmmm-marketing@wholefoods.com.

Story Time with Read Aloud America: Saturday, January 21, 2012, 11 a.m. (FREE)

Slow down the hustle and bustle of the weekend with a fun family outing to Whole Foods Market for a story and healthy snack. Our friends from Read Aloud America will be providing a good, old-fashioned storytelling session for keiki ages pre-Kindergarten through second grade. All children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

“Nurturing healthy families goes far beyond the food provided at the table,” said Ditzel. “Whole Foods Market invites all of our shoppers to learn more and join in this important initiative to help our communities grow stronger families.”

The One Strong ‘Ohana was created by the Hawaii Children’s Trust Fund in partnership with the Joyful Heart Foundation to raise public awareness campaign about the state of child abuse in Hawai‘i. A study commissioned by JHF found that despite high incidents of child abuse and neglect, many residents have a low awareness and are uncertain of how to prevent or report the abuse. Through One Strong ‘Ohana, partners throughout the community will work to ignite greater involvement and help to strengthen island families.

For additional information on Whole Foods Market’s Kahului store, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/maui/ or call (808) 872-3310. To keep up-to-date on the latest store news, events and sales, follow Whole Foods Market Kahului on twitter at www.twitter.com/wfmkahului or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WFMKahului.

 “Homegrown Meats has a strong commitment to raising cattle on native, California grasses, in an environment that is healthier for the animals, which has resulted in a high-quality beef with unmatched flavor,” said Mike Hacaga, Whole Foods Market Regional Meat Coordinator, Southern Pacific Region. “We are proud to bring the unique, mouth-watering flavor of grass-fed beef to our customers’ dinner tables just in time for the holidays and to support local vendors that offer an outstanding product.” Born and raised at vibrant, oak-lined ranches in San Diego County, one in Fallbrook and one on Palomar Mountain, the cattle range freely and graze solely on the native grasses that grow in the pastures. With a commitment to animal well-being, Homegrown Meats’ Grass-fed beef has earned an impressive Step-4 rating from the Global Animal Partnership 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating™ program. This means the cattle have been raised entirely on pasture with no antibiotics, added growth hormones or animal by-products in their feed and have also met about 120 other standards!

 Because grass-fed beef has less total fat per serving, the beef requires a slightly different preparation method. As a resource to customers, Homegrown Meats will be in our stores with to talk to our customers, tell the story of their exceptional Grass-fed beef and grill up some of their amazing steaks! Homegrown Meats beef will be sold at select Southern California Whole Foods Market locations including Hillcrest, La Jolla, Encinitas, Laguna Beach, Tustin, and Huntington Beach. For more information, please visit www.wholefoods.com.

 Homegrown Meats is a partnership between the Mendenhall Family, sixth generation ranchers from Palomar Mountain, and long time friends Matt Rimel, Peter Morris, Thad Benshoof and Dan Snyder.

Media Contact:

Heather Gordon

Rogers Finn Partners

heather@finnpartners.com

(310) 552-4123

Honolulu, HI (December 2, 2011)

As the young hens’ rate of laying increases and more eggs are available, they will also be available at Whole Foods Market in Kahului, Maui.  And once supply is sufficient, Maili Moa eggs will replace all mainland eggs used in Whole Foods Market’s Hawai‘i’s prepared foods departments.

“We are excited to be able to provide cage-free eggs for Whole Foods Market and the people of Hawai‘i. We are thankful for Whole Foods support and look forward to being a part of the Whole Foods’ ‘ohana for a long time,” Minda Cortado, Maili Moa owner.

Owned and operated by Mark Takaki and Minda Cortado, Maili Moa Farm is a second generation operation located in Ma`ili, West O`ahu.  Earlier this year, Mark and Minda invested in a new barn to house cage free hens.  In this environment the hens are able to roam freely and express natural behaviors such as dust bathing, socializing and stretching their wings.

“At Whole Foods Market we are passionate about sourcing Hawai`i-grown products while also remaining true to our commitment to purchasing from farms that treat animals respectfully and humanely.  It is exciting and gratifying to finally be able to offer our customers something that they have been waiting for for some time now —  eggs that are cage-free and locally raised,” said Claire Sullivan, Whole Foods Market’s Hawai`i coordinator of purchasing and public affairs.  “We have great respect for Mark and Minda’s dedication to their farm and the vision and bravery it took for them to make this significant investment.”

For additional information on Whole Foods Market K?hala, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/honolulu/ or call (808) 738 ?0820. Whole Foods Market K?hala is also on twitter, www.twitter.com/wfmkahala and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WholeFoodsKahala for even more up-to-the-minute updates on store events and sales.

“Whole Foods Market is proud to host this Style Your Sole event to raise awareness about the TOMS Shoes One for One campaign and the arts in Hawai‘i,” said Natalie Aczon, Whole Foods Market Kahala’s marketing supervisor. “We invite the community to come out to support the local art scene from our youngest creative minds to favorite island virtuosos as we work to provide footwear as well as better opportunities for children in need around the world.”

As part of the day’s festivities, Whole Foods Market will also be showcasing artwork from local keiki participating in the Honolulu Academy of Arts’ Art to Go program throughout the store. An after-school outreach program for Hawai‘i’s youth in underserved communities, Art to Go allows qualified art instructors to bring supplies and lessons in various media and techniques to sites, like public elementary schools and make art accessible to youth. The program was a recent beneficiary of Whole Foods Market’s Recycle Your Change fundraiser in 2011.

Eight artists from across O‘ahu will be unleashing their creative talents for a good cause including Jamie Allen, Solomon Enos, Ryan Higa, Byron Inouye, Christopher Lum, Jon J. Murakami, Cade Roster, and Masako Schwalbenitz. Pairs of TOMS shoes can be purchased for $49.99 to wear home or wrap up for a unique holiday gift.

TOMS Shoes launched in 2006 with the mission to match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes for a child in a developing country. As of September 2011, more than one million pairs of shoes have been provided to youth in need around the world. For more information about TOMS shoes, please visit www.toms.com.

For additional information on Whole Foods Market Kahala, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/honolulu/ or call (808) 738 ?0820. Whole Foods Market Kahala is also on twitter, www.twitter.com/wfmkahala and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WholeFoodsKahala for even more up-to-the-minute updates on store events and sales.

“For families and shoppers struggling to make ends meet, gaining access to fresh, affordable local produce is often a struggle,” said Denise Albano, Feed the Hunger Foundation. “This partnership with Whole Foods Market is an important first step in breaking down barriers to nutritious foods and making them accessible to everyone.”

Funds raised through the Recycle Your Change program will be used to create a check-out station at the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau’s Honolulu Farmers Market for shoppers under federal assistance programs. Green Wheel Food Hub is also working to expand the payment option to other local community farmers markets to establish a thriving food network.

Green Wheel Food Hub is a fiscally sponsored project of Feed the Hunger Foundation (FTHF), which works to provide sustainable, local, healthy, affordable and accessible food and water to low-income communities. In Hawai‘i, FTHF also organizes microfinance and education opportunities. For more information on Green Wheel Food Hub, please visit www.greenwheelfoodhub.org.

“Whole Foods Market believes that access to fresh, all-natural and local food is a right, not a privilege and we are excited to work alongside an organization like Green Wheel Food Hub and further their mission to ensure all island residents can fill their table with fresh, local, organic foods.” said Natalie Aczon, Whole Foods Market K?hala’s marketing supervisor. “Next time shoppers are making their own nutritious purchases at Whole Foods Market, we encourage them to take the time to donate their change – or any amount they can afford – to supporting this great effort.”

The Recycle Your Change program provides customers an opportunity to support nonprofits by ‘recycling’ their left over change when making a purchase at Whole Foods Market. Recent recipients of this program have included Aloha United Way, Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars, Hawai‘i Bicycling League, and the Honolulu Academy of Arts’ Art To Go program.

For additional information on Whole Foods Market K?hala, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/honolulu/ or call (808) 738 ?0820. Whole Foods Market K?hala is also on twitter, www.twitter.com/wfmkahala and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WholeFoodsKahala for even more up-to-the-minute updates on store events and sales.

HONOLULU

And what’s a holiday meal without turkey and all the fixings? Leave the hot ovens and dishes to someone else and take advantage of Whole Foods Market’s selection of tastes-like-home-cooked, prepared meals including turkey and vegetarian meals starting at just $10.99. For seasoned chefs who simply need more options to accessorize their table, Whole Foods Market has it covered with an assortment of fresh pies, soups, and tasty sides including mashed potatoes, green bean almondine, corn bread stuffing, roast vegetables, autumn puree and more.

Holiday meals and turkeys are available in-store at Whole Foods Market Kahala’s holiday table as well as online at www.wholefoodsmarket.com/shop starting November 1 – making ordering your holiday bird as fast and simple as a click of the mouse. Also available online are a selection of holiday gift baskets and gift cards, allowing shoppers to quickly and easily chop some names off their holiday gift list.

“Whole Foods Market believes the holidays are about helping shoppers spend less time in the kitchen — and more time together with friends and family,” said Natalie Aczon, Whole Foods Market K?hala’s marketing supervisor. “Whether you’re looking for an appetizer platter and desserts to grab on the go between holiday parties or a quick and easy hostess gift – Whole Foods Market is your one-stop shop this holiday season.”

In addition to flavorful holiday meals, Whole Foods Market also has an assortment of all-natural and organic free-range turkeys and is one of the only stores to carry turduckens  — a partially de-boned turkey stuffed with a de-boned duck, stuffed with a small de-boned chicken – made-to-order. Custom orders can be placed with Whole Foods Market’s meat department at (808) 738-0820.

Shoppers hosting friends and family or dashing around to parties can also pick up convenient platters to compliment their holiday spread. The popular fruit platter feeds 40 – 50 people for just $49.99 and features sweet, fresh choices that are pre-cut and ready to serve so diners can nibble on healthy treats throughout the night. Shoppers can also make sure they’re bringing the perfect pairing for every wine with a gourmet cheese plate of hand-picked favorites from Whole Foods Market for just $39.99. And those in need of hearty sides can pick up a platter of savory petit crab cakes or a side dish of assorted freshly grilled vegetables to round out the meal.

Whole Foods Market also invites shoppers to get a taste for their holiday offerings during their holiday tasting events on Wednesday, November 9, 2011 and Friday, November 18, 2011 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. The event is a perfect opportunity to sample the store’s tasty options and find the inspiration to get creative with holiday cooking with new recipe ideas.

And wine lovers won’t want to miss Whole Foods Market Kahala’s first ever Twitter Tasting! On Thursday, November 17, 2011 the store is inviting its twitter followers (yes, all 4,000 plus!) to participate in a holiday-themed wine tasting from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. A number of wine distributors – including Terralsole Wines, JMD Beverages and Johnson Brothers — will be participating and local tweeps who can’t make it IRL (in real life) can follow the hashtag #wfmkahalawine on Twitter.

For additional information on Whole Foods Market K?hala, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/honolulu/ or call (808) 738 ?0820. Whole Foods Market K?hala is also on twitter, www.twitter.com/wfmkahala and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WholeFoodsKahala for even more up-to-the-minute updates on store events and sales.

Visit the Whole Story blog for details on the giveaway.