Whole Foods Market, the world's leading natural and organic supermarket and America's first national certified organic grocer, will open its second Long Island store on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 8 a.m. The new store, located at 429 North Broadway in the Birchwood Shopping Center in Jericho, is the 174th Whole Foods store - the first Whole Foods Market on Long Island is in Manhasset, which opened in 1996.

"We're excited to be opening an additional store on Long Island. Since Whole Foods Market has been in Manhasset, we've found that Long Islanders will drive a great distance to get what they want in terms of buying higher quality products and receiving a greater level of customer appreciation. By opening the Jericho store, we will continue to please and serve the Long Island community, as well as reach new shoppers, in the way that the Manhasset store has done for years," said Christina Minardi, president of Whole Foods Market's Northeast Region.

Like at all Whole Foods Markets, shoppers can shop with confidence at the Jericho location knowing that Whole Foods Market takes pride in being highly selective about the items it sells and that all products meet the company's strict quality standards to ensure that they are free of all artificial additives, sweeteners, colors, flavors, preservatives and hydrogenated oils.

Whole Foods Market will continue its strong commitment by buying local - not just produce, but from some of Long Island's very best vendors as well. A few vendors set to be in the Jericho store on opening day include North Fork Potato Chips, Blue Point Beer, Paumonk Preserves, and Hampton Chutney.

Spanning more than 35,000-square feet, the new Whole Foods Market store was designed with a vibrant, airy feel. Shoppers enter under a glass-tower atrium that gives the open-air entrance a welcoming feel, naturally lighting the floral and produce departments that flank the entrance. Highlighting the new store will be Whole Foods Market's continued commitment to buying local products. During harvest season, shoppers can expect to see the fruits of many New York farmers' labor with fresh red and green chard, late season lettuces, winter squash and many other Empire State favorites.

Knowledgeable fishmongers ready to recommend the fresh catches of the day greet shoppers in the large seafood department, where fresh fish packed on ice, a lobster tank and cases for smoked seafood, Dungeness crabs and shellfish will display the freshest seafood on the market. Within the adjacent meat department, a great variety of all natural red meat, lamb and chicken will be available. There will be a case dedicated to organic meat and one for dry-aged beef, which is cured on-site. In both the seafood and meat departments, "Ready to Cook" kits will be offered. "Ready to Cook" is a product line where the meat or seafood is packaged with marinades or other seasonings. Popular "Ready to Cook" selections include one with enough peeled and deveined shrimp and scallops to serve two, plus herb paste for cooking and remoulade for dipping.

Offering up an extensive selection of freshly prepared foods, Jericho's new Whole Foods Market will be a place where busy Long Islanders can come for a healthful prepared meal, as well as for their grocery needs. A large rotisserie oven will roast chicken, ribs, pork, lamb, kabobs in a basket and small turkeys. In-house corned beef and pastrami will be available, as well as two salad bars, an island serving six varieties of soup including chili, and a hot bar specializing in Italian and Indian cuisine. Rounding out the prepared cuisine offered at Jericho's new Whole Foods Market are stations for sushi, pizza and comfort food for fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and roasts that can be carved and served.

Satisfying a sweet tooth can also be easily accomplished with a wide range of desserts including tiramisu, trifle, parfaits, rice and chocolate pudding. The bakery will also offer up a European market style self-serve bread, four varieties of fudge sold by the pound at coffee island, and truffles from Christopher Norman. Shoppers with special dietary needs will also find the bakery department suited for them as vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free items will be available.

Upon checkout, nine registers will help shoppers get them on their way, but if they decide to enjoy their fresh prepared food purchases or just linger to people watch at Whole Foods Market, there is a bright and sunny 70-seat café.

"Not only are we here to serve shoppers with a tremendous selection of purely delicious, all natural foods," said Jennifer Rudback, Whole Foods Market store team leader. "With our commitment to customer service, ongoing cooking demos and free tastings, everyone will leave the new Whole Foods Market with a smile on their face and a bag of healthful food for themselves and their family."

Whole Body(tm) at Whole Foods Market will offer a large selection of luxurious natural body care items and cosmetics, as well as a broad selection of high-quality nutritional supplements and vitamins. Customers will be able to enjoy a make-up station where they will be able to test selected products and take home samples. All products at Whole Body are made with the highest quality natural ingredients and are free of harsh chemicals and unnecessary fillers.

Whole Foods Market is a uniquely mission-driven company and one of the company's core values is to be an active community citizen. It donates 5 percent of profits annually to a variety of nonprofit organizations in addition to hosting quarterly 5-percent days, where the store donates 5 percent of a day's sales to a local nonprofit organization.