I've been avoiding this post. Not because I don't love talking about what I do, but because I couldn't figure out how to shrink this topic - an overview of our Quality Standards - into an easily digestible post.

We thought we’d get in on the fun and post our own “25 Random Things” list. How many of these did you know about us? Do you have a favorite fact about us that has missed our list?

We had a lot of fun with our first ever Live Blog: Ask the Expert. Angela Rakis, a Purchasing team member from our Northeast region, did a great job answering questions about value shopping in our stores. If you missed it, you can check out the transcript below.

Here’s wishing you and your loved ones a joyous and healthy Christmas Day! Need last minute help on your holiday meal prep?  Check out our recipes and tips pages!

It's two days before Christmas (as if you needed me to remind you!). Are you ready? We know this day is coming all year long but it somehow it manages to sneak up on us. To help reduce that last minute stress, here are a few things that just might help.

Having food allergies or special diet needs can be especially challenging this time of year. Sometimes I just want to scream "Can we please have a gathering without food?!" Of course, that's not going to happen and I really do realize that "breaking bread" together can be a wonderful experience.

Bill Tolany works on the Whole Foods Market Integrated Media team, which includes digital efforts for customers and Team Members. Greetings All! Many of you have noticed our new website.  (Those of you getting the Whole Story via RSS, come check it out!)  I say it’s “our” website, but we made it for you.  Some of the things you can do are:

• find great recipes, which now include ratings and reviews from customers and Team Members

For anyone who is interested in the business practices behind Whole Foods Market, you may want to check out John Mackey's blog. An occasional blog, John shares his thoughts about creating a new business paradigm, addressing issues facing the natural and organic food industry, and exploring the nature of human development. John will be speaking on Conscious Capitalism in Austin, Texas on June 12, 2008.

Thanks for checking out our new and improved blog. We’re really excited to have this space and wanted to give you a quick heads up about what we plan to do with it. Many passionate people work here and they know the inside scoop about what’s happening in their area of expertise — organics, local growers, body care, green practices, social responsibility, micro-lending and all kinds of food-related stuff. Since we share this info with each other all the time, we figured you’d be interested too! We are lining up quite a few different writers to blog about what’s going on around here.