Portland, OR—New Seasons Market, based here, was chosen as the 2010 WholeFoods Magazine Retailer of the Year. Founded in 1999 by three families whose goal was to create a store based on the principles of community, sustainability and giving back, the company now boasts 12 locations with an average size of about 30,000 ft2 with full-service meat, bakery and deli departments. A total of approximately 1,700 staff members are employed by New Seasons, which focuses on giving back to the community as much as possible, working with organizations such as Loaves & Fishes, the Meals-on-Wheels People and featuring a cooking school with courses ranging from gluten-free cooking to cheesemaking.

New Seasons also places a strong emphasis on buying locally as part of its Homegrown Program. The company says, “We believe in having a personal relationship with our local farmers, ranchers, fishers cheese makers, brewers, vintners coffee roasters and manufacturers. To us, buying and eating local is more than just a business model. It’s a passion and a way of life.”

A full article on New Seasons Market will be featured in the July issue of WholeFoods.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, June 2010