Whole Foods Market & The Memphis Farmers Market

by poplar, October 28, 2009 | Permalink

We were so happy to sponsor the Memphis Farmers Market 2009 Harvest Celebration! It is Sunday, November 8th, 4pm-7pm at Central Station downtown. Memphis Farmers Market will be closing out the season in style, and we will be there to help celebrate!

Premier Memphis restaurants will be offering tastings from their delicious menus- Food from Restaurant Iris, Cafe Society, Interim Restaurant, Majestic Grill and of course, Whole Foods Market- just to name a few. There will be an open bar, live music and live and silent auctions! All proceeds will benefit the 2010 operation of the Memphis Farmers Market- a worthy cause to say the least.

Whole Foods Market is donating a “stock your pantry” shopping spree of our exclusive brand 365 products worth $500! How great would that be right before the holidays? We are also donating a full Thanksgiving dinner for 10-12 featuring our fresh, all natural turkey and all the delicious sides. Other great prizes will be available from generous community businesses and services in both the live and silent auction.

Everyone will receive a FEED 100 bag from Whole Foods Market and the Memphis Farmers Market. This is a great reusable bag (perfect for shopping the store and the market)! Each of these bags fund 100 meals for school children in Rewanda. Whole Foods Market is happy to make that donation in honor of each ticket holder.

Tickets are available at our customer service desk! $45 a ticket, or $80 a pair

You don’t want to miss this fun fall eveing. Great food, great prizes, and great people, all to benefit a great attribute to our Memphis community- The Memphis Farmers Market! See you there!

Happy Birthday to us!

by poplar, October 21, 2009 | Permalink

It seems like just yesterday we were hanging the Whole Foods Market sign on the sign of the building! We were diligently planning store upgrades and grand opening events, and eagerly anticipating jumping in to the Memphis community. It’s been such a fast year! This weekend, Whole Foods Market Memphis is officially one year old, and we plan to celebrate in Whole Foods Market style! WITH FOOD!

This Sunday from 1pm-4pm, come join us in our festivities. Of course, there will be cake! And we will be hosting a chili cooking contest in which you get to be the judge! Our team members will be fighting for the title of meanest Chili in Memphis, and they certainly aren’t holding back. Everything from no bean chili, to vegetarian chili, white chili to turkey chili- it definitely won’t be an easy call for the judges. But it sure will be fun to try. Tasters not only get to taste the great recipes, they get to take them home! And tasting cups will be randomly marked for fun Whole Foods Market prizes.

In addition, we will have birthday dancing, lots of sampling and birthday door prizes! Make sure you come see us.

Things that we are proud of in this, our first year…

*Working with over 25 local farmers and artisans to bring amazing products to our shelves while supporting the local community.

*Raising over $1800 in 10¢ bag refunds for local charities. That’s 18,000 refunds, and 18,000 bags you helped us keep out of landfills!

*Our full circle composting in which we send elligible food waste from the store and have it returned to us as rich, earth friendly compost.

*Our new Gimmie5 program that gives Memphians a way to recycle #5 plastic! (See last blog post)

*The amazing organizations that we have formed solid relationships with- from Edible Memphis, to the Memphis Farmers Market, to Shelby Farms Park Alliance to ArtsMemphis. Just to name a few

*Our 5-step animal welfare program in which the treatment of farm animals is as highly regarded as the fact that they aren’t treated with antibiotics or hormones, that they are fed vegetarian diets and the quality of the meat is unparalleled.

*MOSTLY, we’re proud that you support us. Proud that we have customers that aren’t just faces, they are friends! Proud that you look to us as a resource for natural and organic, for living green and being healthy, and of course, for amazing delicious food. And we hope to keep upping the bar- keep serving the Memphis community, and always keep true to our values.  So Happy Birthday to us! We thank you so much!

……And Many More…….

Recycle More Memphis! High 5!

by poplar, October 11, 2009 | Permalink

We all know Memphis is- let’s say “slightly behind”- when it comes to living green. Many cities have recycling bins 3x the size of the trash recepticals for residential pick up, because that should be the proper ratio! Many cities recycle several plastics, mixed glass and even designate special “hazardous material” pick up days! Many cities offer cash incentives for recycling! We may not be there yet, but we’re getting there Memphis! Don’t give up!

As a city, Memphis doesn’t take #5 plastics for recycling. But so many things are packaged in #5 food-grade light weight plastic. Yogurt, medicine, detergent, butter- you name it. And if you’re anything like me, your heart sinks a little when you flip that container over and realize it’s going right in the trash. As a company, Whole Foods Market realized that we package in #5 plastic, but don’t offer a way to recycle it- and that just isn’t the way we operate. We believe in sustainability whole-heartedly.

BUT NOW THERE IS A WAY! Whole Foods Market was thrilled to partner with Preserve on the GIMMIE 5 program! If you aren’t familiar with Preserve- they make the most amazing things out of recycled plastic. Kitchenware, toothbrushes, razors etc. They are super stylie and more importantly, 100% recycled. And now you can turn your #5 plastic in to these super cool Preserve items!

Whole Foods Market now has a receptical in the dairy isle for your #5 plastic! You bring it in, we ship it to Preserve and they turn it in to all kinds of cool things! Which we sell in the store! And when your Preserve items are worn out- do it all over again! The Preserve items can be recycled too!

This program is sponsored by Stonyfield Farms and Organic Valley, because they understand the importance of being able to recycle the packaging their wonderful products come in. So help us spread the word and support the program! Check out the signs in the store for more details, or visit www.preserveproducts.com/gimmie5

Let’s get recycling!

Tailgating Touchdowns

by poplar, September 10, 2009 | Permalink

Well sportsfans, it’s once again time to enjoy good food, good beer and good games. Whether it is heading to the game hours before kickoff to stake claim in the parkinglot, or serving a rowdy crowd at home on Sunday, we all know the competition extends far beyond the game itself. Everyone wants the title of best tailgater. Best Sunday grub. Most delicious beer selection.

So let us help you win this year! You can take all the credit- we won’t tell.

Our meat will set your grill apart. Our quality standards include no antibiotics, no growth hormones, and no byproducts in feed. We have a huge variety of meat and cuts, including sausages, grill ready kebobs and fresh regional beef. Your crowd will taste the difference! Our seafood is fresh, our crabcakes are amazing, and you know where everything comes from. No guessing games with us. Vegetarians, don’t sweat it! We have some delicious veggie friendly items too! Check out our weekly specials-you’re sure to find a great deal.

http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/poplar/

Let’s talk beer! We have an amazing selection of beer cornered in the back of the store by the community room. Yazoo is a Nashville favorite. Sierra Nevada Anniversary ale is on sale through Tuesday! For a lighter fruity beer, Pyramid Apricot Ale is quite delicious. Lefthand Sawtooth Ale from Colorado is a customer favorite that flies off the shelf. And just beacuse you have celiac disease doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a good brew. Redbridge makes a Gluten Free beer that is quite tasty! If you want to mix it up, there are several ways- we have American Craft & European Brew variety packs that feature several different domestic or import beers. Or you can create your own 6-pack for $8.99. Flying Dog also has an amazing variety pack featuring 6 of their bottled brews. Beer-check.

Our produce department has fresh guacamole and heirloom tomato salsa! Our prepared food department has wings wings wings! And so many other favorites to compliment your grill. Don’t forget dessert! Our bakery has 2 bite cupcakes that are to die for! Order early and get them iced in your team color! And if you want to make things easy, we have a full catering menu featuring cheese trays, veggie platters, breakfast platters, shrimp cocktail, wing platters, dip platters and more.

So perhaps you aren’t 100% sold on Whole Foods Market being your one stop tailgating shop. But I know you will be if you give us a try. So come in September 19th, 1pm-3pm for our Tasty Tailgating Event! You can taste delcious tailgating foods from every department. Fill out our tailgating scorecard and you can win a $100 tote filled with all your party needs. The first 50 folks to show off their team jersey in the store get a prize! There will be recipes, lots of food, and good old fashioned gameday fun!

Nothing like fruit right off the tree…

by poplar, July 20, 2009 | Permalink

Today I had the pleasure of going to Jones Orchard in Millington, TN. If you aren’t familiar, it’s a beautiful family owned orchard that specializes in peaches. Over 25 varieties, to be exact, including the original strains that the Jones family planted during World War II. 

Henry Jones met us in the trees behind his house, which were full of the most succulent, plump peaches I’ve ever seen. He couldn’t have been a nicer guy. You could tell he took pride in what his family developed, and moreover, it’s seemingly impossible to be anything but happy in such a beautiful setting. Henry explained the story of their orchard. “My grandfather started a small orchard, just as a hobby, in 1940. My Father took it over and made it a full time job”. It’s amazing to see what has developed since then. An orchard that supplies our area with amazing fruit, and creates sustainable jobs for the local community.

He could see us staring at the beautiful peaches with a look in our eyes that I’m sure resembled a kid staring in a candy shop window. Without hesitation, he told us to enjoy- “There’s nothing like fruit right off the tree”. That was an understatement- it was the best breakfast I’ve had in a long time.

We’re so happy to have Jones Orchard peaches in our produce department. If you can make the drive to Millington to pick some peaches, I recommend it. It makes for a lovely day. But if you’re craving the delicious, juicy peaches in town, stop by the store and grab them while they are in season. They’re simply amazing.

How about a simple, delicious recipe for your cookout this weekend?

Grilled Peaches

4 large ripe peaches (local, of course!)

4 TBS 365 Everyday Value unsalted butter, melted

¼ cup firmly packed 365 Everyday Value Light brown sugar

¼ C white rum

½ tsp ground cinnamon

Pinch of nutmeg

To Garnish: sliced marcona almonds, vanilla ice cream or Crème Fraiche

Rinse peaches and blot dry. Cut in half. Combine melted butter, brown sugar, rum, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl. Mix thoroughly until sugar is dissolved. Preheat grill to high heat. Grill peaches about 3-4 minutes each side, basting with rum butter glaze. Garnish with desired topping and savor the flavor!!

Taste of Tennessee

by poplar, July 15, 2009 | Permalink

Come join us this Saturday fo a Taste of Tennessee !

We’re happy to host local and regional artisans, who will share their food and more importantly, their stories with you! 

Taste of Tennessee is a great way to bring the family together this weekend and serves as powerful reminder of the importance of supporting our local vendors here in the Mid-South.  By supporting local vendors and their products, we as consumers are putting money back into the community, something particularly valuable during these difficult economic times. And buying local products can save some money for you too! Seasonal items are in abundance, and we aren’t paying heavy transportation costs, and all of those savings get passed on to you. As if all of that isn’t incentive enough, buying local also helps save the environment. Less transport, less fuel, less emissions. It’s simply the way to go. 

So who can you come support? Delta Pecans, a great orchard out of Tutwiler, MS. that offers delicious, all natural gourmet pecans. Mountain Jimis bringing his amazing ice cream, and Grow Agrawill show off their wheatgrass. Journey to Bliss raw foods will be in attendance, as well as Tennessee T-Cakes! You’ll be able to taste local honey, coffee, cheesecake, baklava, produce and sauces. You can also taste beef and cheese from our southern region! Collect our local trading cards, and you could win a reusable tote filled with $100 worth of local and regional products!

At 12pm, Chef Giacomo of Cafe Toscana is giving a free cooking class featuring local items! Melissa Peterson, Editor of Edible Memphis will be here to talk food, and The Memphis Farmers Market will be showing off their awesome new cookbook!

At 1:30pm, check out our Whole Foods Market cookbook during a free cooking class in the community room. Everyone will leave with a great recipe and tasty sample, but one lucky attendee will leave with the book too!

Lastly, How about something to beat the heat? We’ll be hosting an ice cream social from 2pm-4pm. The sundaes will be made with ALL LOCAL INGREDIENTS! How cool is that? And all proceeds will benefit SlowFood Memphis, an organization dedicated to maintaining the integrity of homegrown, home cooked, delicious foods.

See you there!

For more information of if you have questions, email Liza Burke Liza.burke@wholefoods.com.

Whole Foods Market DID Bonnaroo!

by poplar, June 17, 2009 | Permalink

Whole Foods Market joined a long list of musicians and nearly 90,000 fans from all over the world at the 2009 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, last weekend.  We set up a store on the grounds of the festival in Planet Roo where we served up loads of 365 products and delicious items from our vendor partners, including Talenti Gelato, Greek Gods Yogurt, O.N.E. Natural Experience, Q.Bell all natural chocolates, and Lifeway Foods.  Check out what some of our customers had to say over the course of the weekend in Planet Roo!

http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/06/bonnaroo/

Journey to Bliss; The discovery of RAW

by poplar, June 6, 2009 | Permalink

We’re so happy to welcome Laura Button, creator of delicioius raw food, and founder of Journey to Bliss. Her food is now featured in our prepared foods prepack case, and it is being met with rave reviews. Valerie Hawkes, our carrot cake expert, who makes delicious carrot cake for The Otherlands in midtown, said that the Journey to Bliss raw, vegan carrot cake “is just awesome”. She said “it melts in your mouth and has the most amazing flavor”. There are also raw “cinnamon rolls” that are such a sweet treat minus the guilt of the giant baked and glazed cinnamon roll that we devour in the morning, and want to sleep off by lunchtime. My personal favorite is the cumin cauliflower, available by the pound in the deli case. It’s so refreshing, so light and has the best flavor- a spicy, zesty, middle eastern zing.

Laura is local to us in Memphis, so eating her delicious food is also helping to support local artisans and farmers! She will be visiting us on July 18th during our local fest to meet our customers and get everyone hooked on her delicious food. (Trust me, it won’t be hard!) Before you come in and meet her, take a look at this awesome farm-to-market clip. It tells you all about Journey to Bliss and really showcases Laura’s passion for good food and good health. 

http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/05/journey-to-bliss/

Laura works in Smyrna, TN., and sources food from local farms with the highest quality products. Journey to Bliss is passionate about sustainable agriculture and supporting local farmers. On a side note, she says she has been making food for over 30 years, which must mean one of two things; she started making food when she was negative 5, or there is something to be said for eating raw food! She looks so vibrant and healthy- it makes you really think about how we fuel our bodies…

From Laura: At Journey To Bliss, we make a line of prepared, raw, vegan food products under the brand name Intentional Food. We strive to employ every concept of “intention” in our products—from ethically obtained ingredients of the highest nutritional value, to sustainable packaging and business practices. We want to make food the center of everyone’s world so the quality standards of life itself can be raised to realize the full potential of every living being.

Enough said. I’m hooked and I know you will be too. The Memphis Raw group meets on the second Thursday evening of the month at 7pm in our community room. Please attend if you are interested in raw, new to raw, or an expert that wants to share knowledge! Our local fest is July 18th and will feature Laura’s amazing food, as well as other great local producers with products to share! See you there!

-Liza, Marketing Team Leader

Whole Foods Market does Bonnaroo!

by poplar, May 19, 2009 | Permalink

Whole Foods Market Does Bonnaroo 2009!

Yep,  Whole Foods Market will be in Planet Roo selling all of your favorite  snacks, produce, and much more!  Our tent will also feature products from our supportive partners:  Lifeway Kefir, Talenti Gelato, Qbel, The Greek Gods Yogurt, and O.N.E. Coconut Water! 

 Want to join us?  Enter for a chance to win a FREE pair of tickets to this years festival!  Enter by June 1^st at our Memphis Whole Foods Market location. Sweepstakes starts Memorial Day! See store for details!

If you’ve never been to Bonnaroo, it’s a weekend of amazing music, good people and great fun.  Located just a few hours from Memphis, it’s a trip you surely won’t forget! Don’t forget to visit us in planet roo while you’re there!  Good food fuels good fun!

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, enjoy a Gluten Free Tasting at our store!

by poplar, April 7, 2009 | Permalink

On Monday, April 27th from 6pm-8pm, come in and enjoy many of the wonderful GF products we carry! We know that it’s hard to purchase a new product without tasting it, especially for the kids! So bring them in and see what they love.

This is also a great time to give us your wish list for special orders. We know several beloved GF products are no longer on our shelves, and we strive to give you comparable products, or special order them for you.

Our event will be a buffet of GF goodness, including products from our own Gluten Free bakehouse,  Sweet Oven, Cedar, Ians, Dr. Lucys and more. We will specially label products that are both GF free and Caesin free to make it easy for all.  

The Memphis Celiac Support Group headed by Debbie Boussell will be meeting at 7pm that evening as well. Great for folks who want to share stories, recipes and general knowledge.  Get great info from The Autism Solution Center, and chat with other folks in the community on the GF diet! See you there!