Whole Foods Market, a natural and organic foods supermarket, is scheduled to open a Los Altos store in September on El Camino Real at Showers Drive.

Whole Foods Market states its goal as providing the highest-quality, best-tasting and freshest natural and organic foods. Part of a multiple-store strategic growth plan, the Los Altos market will be the first of 12 stores currently in development to open.

Located on the site of former office space, the 55,000-square-foot store will emphasize the highest-quality and best-tasting fresh produce, chef-prepared foods, baked goods, natural meats and seafood. Its private label family of brands offers thousands of products priced for everyday value.

A prepared foods area will offer meal solutions including grab-and-go lunches, complete meals for entertaining and side dishes to complement a home-

cooked dinner. Convenience-seekers can purchase fresh-baked pizza, made-to-order and ready-to-eat sandwiches and salads, as well as gelato and hot desserts.

The prepared foods section features a selection of ethnic foods including made-to-order sushi, noodle bowls and other Asian specialties from the Asian express bar, marinated, skewered meats from the Tandoori oven, Indian dosas from the made-to-order crepe station and self-serve Latino and Indian food bars. Dining areas inside and outside the store allow shoppers to enjoy meals or beverages on-site.

The new store includes a Salud! Cooking & Lifestyle school. Salud! is Whole Foods Market’s program for those who want to learn techniques for incorporating natural and organic foods into their daily meals. The store has a two-level parking garage, in addition to parking in front, which provides approximately 275 parking spaces.

The market will add more than 200 jobs in the area. Competitive pay, benefits and a work culture based on creativity, respect and empowerment have made Whole Foods Market one of Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” for the ninth consecutive year. For a list of available job openings, visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/jobs/.

“Whole Foods Market joins the Los Altos community with a commitment to provide the highest-quality foods available, including organic and local products. Delivering on this promise has always been a cornerstone of Whole Foods Market’s success,” said Anthony Gilmore, Northern California regional president of Whole Foods Market. “Whole Foods Market is thrilled to join the many innovative companies that help make Los Altos a thriving place, and we look forward to partnering with the Los Altos community to create memorable neighborhood events.”

Whole Foods Market continues its policy to utilize sustainable building materials. The Los Altos store uses natural cotton fiber insulation that increases heating and cooling efficiency, resulting in energy and cost savings. The natural fibers used to manufacture the insulation are 100 percent recyclable, reducing landfill waste.

The Los Altos store will offer produce and meats that are locally grown or raised, and build relationships with local vendors who employ sustainable practices. It will also feature natural and organic foods free of artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, sweeteners and hydrogenated oils.

The new Los Altos store is located at 4800 West El Camino Real and will be open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information, call 559-0300.