Whole Foods Launches Health Starts Here Program

AUSTIN, TexasWhole Foods Market Inc. announced all its 303 stores now feature its new Health Starts Here program that offers products, education, practical tools and wellness resources to promote healthy lifestyles.

The program is based on four principles of healthy eatingWhole Food, Plant-Strong, Nutrient Dense and Healthy Fatand includes a line of prepared sides, salads, snacks and ready-to-cook entrees using nutrient-dense foods. Whole Foods also offers Health Starts Here-specific spouted grain bakery offerings made with 100-percent whole grains and no added oil, refined sugars or processed ingredients.

An in-store Healthy Eating point person is available to offer shoppers hands-on support through store tours and food demos to help them learn more about simple and delicious healthy eating. Items will be labeled with an Aggregate Nutrient Density Index meant to provide a simple comparison of foods based on micro-nutrients per calorie.

The online resource includes recipes, cooking tips, shopping and meal planning guides, videos and recommended books and websites.

The company also announced the introduction of its new Health Starts Here Frozen Vegetables. Leafy green offerings include collard greens, kale and leafy greens blend; vegetable blend options include garden blend, harvest blend, four seasons blend, soup & stew blend, and beans and greens blend.

The link between food and health is clear," said Margaret Wittenberg, global vice president of quality standards and healthy eating at Whole Foods Market. Health Starts Here can help turn New Years resolutions into long-term health and wellness solutions. Health Starts Here is not about depravation or counting calories, its about reconfiguring your plate, adding more fruits, vegetable, legumes and whole grains."