Whole Foods Comes to Huntsville
Huntsville has a new grocery store!
Whole Foods Market has come to town and their brand new building is bright and shiny. I went to check it out (with my 4 kids) and I learned a bunch about the company but also got the low down on all the kids related things that they offer.
When you walk in, check out their kid’s club wagon. It is always stocked with healthy treats and each child that visits the store is welcome to take one! While you are grabbing their snacks, make sure to swing by the customer service desk, you can get a membership card for each one of your kids and they will get a special treat on their birthday. Little carts and “car carts” are also available for little ones. Make sure to check out their in-store events. Every Saturday they have something fun for the kids to do or make and it is completely free!
I talked with a number of friendly faces as I wondered through the store and was very pleased to find out that there is not a single item on the shelves of Whole Foods Market that contains any corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, artificial preservatives or colors. You may also ask any employee to try ANYTHING in the store and they will happily open a package so you can taste it. There is surprisingly only three organic certified grocers in the US and Whole Foods Market is one of them. (Allergen lists are available at the customer service desk).
They have a good selection of children’s items. Stuffed animals, toys, some clothing along with all of the foods and baby care items that you would expect to find at a grocery store. Brands like 7th Generation, Honest Company, Earth’s Best, Happy Tot, Ella’s Kitchen, Plumb Organics, Annie’s and their own store brand “365 Everyday Value” will be found on their shelves.
Whole Foods Market has a heart for local communities and goes out of their way to provide as many local products as possible. Their definition of “local” is 150 miles from the individual store location. I even ran in to the guys from our very own Jala Jala and The Hummus People while walking around the store.
Whole Foods Market has a few different programs that give back to the community. Whole Planet, Whole City and Whole Kids. They are all wonderful programs whose operating funding is donated from the grocery store so that 100% of consumer donations go right to the program it’s self. I thought the Whole Kids program was pretty awesome because it funds grants for gardens and salad bars in schools. Kids get to tend to their own school garden and the produce from the garden is used in the school meals! They also have a local composting program in the works. I was really pleased to find out that all of their day old bread and “imperfect” produce gets donated rather than tossed.
The store building is pretty interesting itself. The design is based on “Rocket City” and no two Whole Food Market stores are the same. You will see many energy efficient features such as solar panels and wind turbines used on the property. Much of the interior incorporates recycled materials and you will find a recycling station at every trash receptacle.
Along with gaining a new grocer we also have some new options for on the go food! Along with their Spazio Pizza and Taps restaurant, they also offer fresh sushi, sandwiches, (made with their fresh baked bread and artisan cheeses) and a huge salad and hot food bar. There is something for everyone all in one place!
Whole Foods Market accepts manufacture coupons, their own store coupons (available to print online) and also has in store coupon books. They also offer a 10% discount when you purchase a whole case of something. You can always see what is on sale on our local page of their website.
Whole Foods Mom Tips
There are samples of different food products around the store. (Always a huge hit with my kids!)
As I was walking through the store I was VERY pleased about how spacious the isles were. There are some stores that have more narrow isles that make it really difficult to keep my cart away from the shelves so my kids don’t do a little “shopping” of their own. Our Whole Foods isles are wonderfully spacious!
The bathroom and drinking fountain is located at the back of the dining area. There are baby changing stations in both the men & women’s restrooms (score!). The water fountains had a water bottle filling station which makes refilling sippy cups and bottles super easy!
Whole Foods Huntsville Info
Address: 2501 Memorial Pkwy SW Huntsville (map)
Phone: 256-801-3741
Hours: 8am to 10pm seven days a week
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Jenni McCarty is a wife, mom of four, l'il bit granola, jean-wearer, iced coffee drinker, home schooler, more than just a little obsessed with photography, frustrated organizer (see “mom of four”) yet ironically logical, Pinterest addict and Facebook follower, sufferer of ADCD (attention deficit crafters disorder), displaced Alaskan. She opened Jenni M Photography in 2012 and she really enjoys blogging about her personal family adventures whenever she has a chance.