{"id":3695,"date":"2010-10-18T20:56:29","date_gmt":"2010-10-19T03:56:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/?p=3695"},"modified":"2010-10-19T08:00:40","modified_gmt":"2010-10-19T15:00:40","slug":"whole-foods-heaven","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/whole-foods-heaven\/","title":{"rendered":"Whole Foods Heaven"},"content":{"rendered":"

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There’s a new lord in Huntington Beach and he cares, I mean really cares, about local sourcing, local products, supporting and giving back to the community, and wholesome, sustainable food! His name is Whole Foods and he’ll sweep you off your feet with his soulful sincerity and commitment to a higher calling!<\/p>\n

I was fortunate to be granted a private audience with the honorable Whole Foods before the public opening and this is what I found<\/strong><\/span>. (If you’ve been blessed with Whole Foods in your kingdom, then forgive my fervor.)<\/p>\n

The first national grocer to provide a science-based sustainability rating system for wild-caught seafood developed in partnership with Blue Ocean Institute.<\/strong><\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong>Color-coded Green, Yellow, and Red to make it easy for shoppers to make informed choices at the seafood counter. Red choices represent low abundance where fishing methods seriously harms other wildlife or natural habitats. Why stock them at all, you might ask. They are stocked to increase awareness and ease shoppers into making better choices.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A commitment to local sourcing and products:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Top – Stehly Farms Organics of Valley Center, CA and Carlsbad Aquafarm (Carlsbad)<\/p>\n

Bottom: Portola Handcrafted Coffee Roasters (Irvine) and Gringo Bandito (Huntington Beach)<\/p>\n

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A strong focus on the flavors and tastes of the local surfing culture and Vietnamese communities.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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You can enjoy a pizza slice and a cold beer on tap at Beach Bar 405 while watching the surf report or choose from a selection of Vietnamese entree dishes and <\/strong><\/span>pho<\/strong><\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/em>along with\u00a0wine made from grapes from Vietnam to take home.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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A 5-Step Animal Welfare Rating system so shoppers know how their meat purchases were raised.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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They had me at cheese! Cheese and more cheese! A full selection of cheeses sourced locally and from around the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Organic breads made daily and artisan and organic chocolates galore! <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Of course, there is the full array of locally grown and organic produce, including products from Orange County Produce, featuring in-season and unique, ethnic selections such as baby bok choy, baby celery and greens for Asian cooking grown at Yasutomi Farm and a large selection of fresh squeezed citrus and veggie juices.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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There are Whole Foods stores in many US cities, Canada, and the UK. Find a store in your area<\/a> or possibly there’s a store in developmen<\/a>t close to you.<\/p>\n