Whole Foods Market continues store expansion in 2024

Whole Foods Market ended February with two new stores, on top of one new opening in January. 

The natural and organic goods grocer has opened a 40,100-sq.-ft. location in St. Petersburg, Fla. The store’s aesthetic is inspired by the vibrant spirit of St. Petersburg, known as the "Sunshine City" for its close ties to sundials. Customers are welcomed by a radiant sun motif, and the entire store is adorned with elements reminiscent of sunbeams and a warm, inviting color scheme, the company said.

Embracing Whole Foods Market’s commitment to supporting local communities, the new store offers more than 800 products from Florida.

As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting local communities, Whole Foods  is contributing a refrigerated van to Good Neighbors through its Nourishing our Neighborhoods initiative. Introduced by the retailer in 2020, the  program is dedicated to strengthening the operational capacities of local food rescue organizations, empowering them to effectively distribute surplus food to areas where it’s needed the most. 

Additionally, Whole Foods  will extend its support to the St. Pete Free Clinic by making a charitable contribution to aid the nonprofit’s initiatives aimed at improving food accessibility throughout Pinellas County.

New Mexico 

Whole Foods opened a 47,327-sq.-ft. store at 2100 Carlisle Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The new store is a relocation of the previous Albuquerque store (2103 Carlisle Blvd NE), which was open for more than 30 years.

The new, larger location features upgraded amenities including expanded prepared foods and bakery departments, and a larger, more easily accessible parking lot. It  also carries an expanded product assortment, with more than 400 local items from New Mexico.

To give back to the community, Whole Foods Market is donating to local organizations Rio Grande Food Project, The Storehouse New Mexico, HopeWorks and Meals on Wheels New Mexico. 

Additionally, a Whole Foods Market refrigerated van previously donated through the grocer’s Nourishing Our Neighborhoods program to nonprofit organization Roadrunner Food Bank will make regular pick-ups from the new Albuquerque store to transfer rescued food to community members in need. 

Connecticut

In January, the grocer opened its fifth location in the greater Hartford area, a 43,406-sq.-ft. store at The Shops at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor, Conn. The store’s design includes rich tile textures and a warm neutral color palette with pops of jewel tones, emerald green and burnt orange, connecting to the natural landscape that surrounds the area.

To date, Whole Foods Market has donated 44 vans to food rescue organizations across the U.S. and Canada through the program.