Local vendors highlighted...

The next time you stop by Whole Foods, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

It's true, I couldn't find any peaches or apples from this side of the country, the prices can be steep, and I still see fish being sold that is not on the Monterey Bay Aquarium's seafood watch avoid list (which Betty hands out whenever she can make it to the farmer's markets), but more and more they are featuring local products and are striving to make even bigger and better committments to helping the environment.

As of Earth Day, no more plastic bags. Great excuse to use your Betty bag. (available via email or the Blue Ridge Eco-Shop for ten dollars eaches) Also, no more plastic containers for their hot and cold food bar. It's all compostable (hopefully the plastic flatware will also be replaced - in the meantime, bring your own)

Today I was admiring their new front display of locals complete with a colorful photo and a short write-up. Farmers like Megan Weary of Roundabout and Wendy Harrison of Red Hill and Jenn Savedge green parent author and many other local vendors and advocates. It's just above their new recycling center area (which now recycles aluminum, plastics 1 and 2, paper, and even has a section for compostables). that features a photo and a short write-up.

When I talked to the Sandy at the store several months ago, she shared the community, green-minded and quality focus that has made whole foods stores so successful. They've always been generous with local charities and mindful of consumption - recycling their aprons by giving them to local schools, for example. We've moved twice in the past five years here in Charlottesville and they have graciously provided most, if not all, of the boxes for our in-town moves. (Fox, who no longer works there, would save empty cardboard boxes weekly for me - call ahead if you are interested in helping you out with boxes)

This spring I don't think I was the only one who noticed their large selection of locally-grown organic plants. I appreciated how well they were marked with their birthplace.

Coran was telling me today that soon they will be featuring beautiful locally-grown flowers that no one else in town carries.

The staff is so positive, friendly and helpful and very enthusiastic about the efforts of Better World Betty. (Thanks again for donating bread for our Bread for A Better World event and hosting Betty for Earth Week).

It's not a perfect world with perfect grocery stores, but it's becoming a better world every day. Whole Foods has been ahead of the game for many years when it comes to carrying organic goods and more sustainable produce and products. Hats off.

Ciao,
BWB