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Shop Green with Wild Oats Markets

Shop Green with Wild Oats Markets

Published 04-02-07

Submitted by Wild Oats Markets, Inc.

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 2, 2007--Every year, millions of Americans make New Year's resolutions to make positive changes in their lives. This Earth Day, Wild Oats Markets, Inc., a leading national natural and organic foods retailer, is encouraging consumers to make environmentally friendly green shopping resolutions to celebrate Earth Day 2007. By making small changes in shopping habits, consumers can make trips to the grocery store more environmentally friendly, ultimately protecting the health of the planet for future generations. In honor of Earth Month, Wild Oats is offering tips on how to shop green on Earth Day and every day including reusing and recycling more, buying organic, cleaning with environmentally friendly products, buying in bulk and more.

One way to significantly reduce the amount of waste in the environment is to reuse and recycle shopping bags. Each year, U.S. consumers throw away approximately 100 billion plastic shopping bags, which can take up to 1,000 years to decompose, and litter the planet and threaten wildlife. A quick solution is to not only reuse shopping bags, but to switch to reusable, sturdy canvas bags. In New York City alone, one less grocery bag per person per year would reduce waste by five million pounds and save $250,000 in disposal costs, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Wild Oats encourages customers to reuse shopping bags - plastic, paper or canvas - and pioneered the Wooden Nickel Program where five cents per reused bag is donated to local non-profit organizations.

Choosing organic products is another easy way for people to decrease their negative impact on the environment. Organic agriculture protects people and the planet by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals from synthetic pesticides that can contaminate the ground, air and water, as well as our food. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year an estimated 60 million pounds of organophosphate pesticides are applied to about 60 million acres of agricultural crops in the U.S. Organophosphate pesticides are harmful and not allowed in organic agriculture. When buying certified organic products, consumers are showing support for organic farmers and sustainable practices that help build healthy soil and a healthier planet.

Consumers should look for products that have reduced packaging or no packaging, such as foods from the bulk foods aisles. Buying foods like lentils, beans, grains, nuts and granola in bulk equates to reduced costs for packaging and the environment. At Wild Oats, the extensive bulk department is over 70 percent organic, making buying in bulk - and buying organic - an affordable and eco-friendly option.

"Every day is Earth Day at Wild Oats. From the beginning, Wild Oats has been committed to preserving our planet and reducing our negative impact on the environment," said Greg Mays, CEO of Wild Oats Markets. "We're proud to celebrate Earth Day and highlight our dedication to organics, the environment and sustainable practices."

Buying local products is another way to shop green and support the local economy. The average meal travels more than 1,500 miles from farm to plate. Choosing local products reduces transportation costs and the reliance on fossil fuels. Every Wild Oats Marketplace sources hundreds of foods and artisan products from local growers and producers. Collectively, Wild Oats buys more than 7,200 locally produced food items from approximately 3,500 farmers and artisans based in all 50 states.

In honor of Earth Month, Wild Oats is also encouraging consumers to clean green this spring. Americans generate 1.6 million tons of waste each year from common household products that contain potentially hazardous ingredients. And, of the 85,000 chemicals used in household cleaners today, nearly 90% haven't been tested for safety. Every time a cleaning product is used, it is absorbed into the skin, breathed into the lungs and released into the environment. By switching to green, environmentally friendly cleaners, consumers make healthier choices for their homes and the planet. Wild Oats offers a wide range of non-toxic cleaning products made with biodegradable ingredients and without the use of hazardous chemicals.

Wild Oats is committed to providing consumers with products and education that support not only a healthy body, but also a healthy environment. This April, Wild Oats Markets is posting shelf-talkers in all stores to help customers identify eco-friendly items and educate them on making environmentally conscious changes today for a better tomorrow.

Making simple shopping choices like walking or biking to the grocery store, choosing organics, switching to green cleaners and reusing and recycling can turn every day into Earth Day. Wild Oats Markets has a long-standing commitment to preserving the planet through a dedication to organics, the environment and sustainable practices and products. Shop green this spring with Wild Oats Markets and help protect Mother Earth.

About Wild Oats

Wild Oats Markets, Inc. is a nationwide chain of natural and organic foods markets in the U.S. and Canada. The Company operates 110 natural foods stores in 24 states and British Columbia, Canada. The Company's markets include Wild Oats Marketplace, Henry's Farmers Market, Sun Harvest and Capers Community Markets. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.wildoats.com.


Copyright Business Wire 2007

Wild Oats Markets, Inc. logo

Wild Oats Markets, Inc.

Wild Oats Markets, Inc.

History: Wild Oats Markets, Inc. started in Boulder, Colorado in 1987 with the purchase of a single natural foods store. The concept grew store by store into the nation's second largest natural and organic foods supermarket chain, with a family of 109 stores in 24 states and British Columbia, and annual sales of more than $1.1 billion. Philosophy: Wild Oats stands on a commitment to provide customers with the best selection of natural foods and health care products in a friendly, informative setting. Wild Oats strives to be a proactive member of its community, contributing to the lives of our customers, the communities we do business in and our staff. Wild Oats supports the local economy as much as possible by offering locally produced and manufactured products, including organic and locally grown produce. Wild Oats also supports the community by actively giving back through organized events and philanthropic giving. The company founded 5% Days, a program that earmarks 5% of the day's pretax sales to a selected non-profit organization.

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