Whole Foods Market(R) Launches 'The Real Deal' Program With Budget Recipes, Real Steals and Smart Shopping Advice

AUSTIN, Texas, July 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whole Foods Market NASDAQ: WFMI, the leading natural and organic foods supermarket, announced today the launch of a new, national program to provide specially-priced product discounts, money-saving coupons and tips, and budget recipes to help shoppers continue to enjoy quality organic and natural foods while stretching their food dollar. The Company has also created a space on its website for customers to upload their own tips on how to enjoy a healthy Whole Foods Market lifestyle while sticking to their budget.

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During this time of record-high worldwide food inflation, Whole Foods Market introduces "The Real Deal" program to help its customers enjoy high-quality, natural and organic ingredients, while sticking to their budgets. Getting more value for less and finding the real deals throughout the stores is the centerpiece of a new Whole Foods Market quarterly value guide available in stores beginning July 17. The 28-page value guide features meal plans and recipes on a budget, department-specific tips and savings, 365 Everyday Value(TM) product deals, and information about Whole Foods Market's commitment to Quality Standards.

Whole Foods Market has also partnered with Mambo Sprouts (http://www.mambosprouts.com), the leading coupon company for the natural products industry, to deliver Whole Foods Market customers a host of money-saving coupons, which will be included in the new value guide.

As part of "The Real Deal," customers will find specially-priced items in featured departments called "Real Steal," which can be found in all Whole Foods Market stores. Customers can look for the "Real Steal" signs to find these discounted items, such as whole golden pineapples for $2.99, frozen, sweet and wild Whole Catch(TM) Patagonian Scallops for $6.99, and Whole Ranch(TM) Sausages for $4.99.

"Each quarterly issue of 'The Real Deal' value guide includes money-saving tips, budget recipes -- each with a cost per serving, and a variety of menu plans for the week," says Mara Fleishman, Whole Foods Market special projects coordinator for national marketing. "This inaugural issue also includes timely information on how to milk your back-to-school dollar for all it's worth and meat-buying tips to help shoppers grill out without getting burned."

Whole Foods Market Shoppers Provide Their "Real Deal" Tips

Recognizing that many shoppers also have their own meal planning, smart shopping and cooking tricks to stretch their food budgets while enjoying a healthy Whole Foods Market lifestyle, the Company has introduced a "Real Deal" customer tips page on its website. Customers from all over are sharing their tips at: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/realdeal.

Many shoppers are not willing to sacrifice quality during this bump in the economy, so they have come up with ways to save and still enjoy organic and natural foods. For example, one shopper on the forum is married to a full-time student and has three children. She offers these tips on "The Real Deal" customer page:

1. Shop the ads.

2. Clip coupons and organize them in an envelope with your grocery list.

3. Buy Whole Foods Market meat and fish when on sale and freeze in 1-pound portions.

4. Use "going green" bags -- Whole Foods Market gives you at least five cents off per bag.

5. Try going vegetarian!

6. Stock up! Buy in bulk and freeze.

7. Change your cleaning products -- I use vinegar in my rinse cycle instead of dryer sheets, I make my own dishwashing soap, and I use natural cleansers and reusable cleaners.

Customers are also invited to submit their frugal foodie videos at Whole Foods Market YouTube page found at: http://www.youtube.com/wholefoodsmarket.

"The Real Deal" program complements many regional programs already underway, where most Whole Foods Market stores are already providing value shopping tours, family-sized savings, and other shopping tips, including a list of Whole Foods Market top sellers.

Contact: Ashley Hawkins, Whole Foods Market

512-542-0381

ashley.hawkins@wholefoods.com