CHICAGO (Jan. 8, 2018) – Whole Foods Market has officially opened a state-of-the-art distribution center in Chicago, marking a significant expansion of its supply chain capabilities in the Midwest. In collaboration with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the natural and organic grocery leader unveiled the 140,000 square foot facility located in the historic Pullman neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. This strategic move is set to enhance service for Whole Foods Market’s 26 stores in the Chicagoland area and an additional 34 locations across the broader Midwest region and Eastern Canada.
Michael Bashaw, Midwest Regional President for Whole Foods Market, emphasized the advantageous location of the new Whole Foods Distribution Center. “The Pullman neighborhood provides an ideal hub for our new distribution center. Its prime location, with easy access to major transportation routes and essential business resources, will significantly improve our ability to serve our customers and support our stores throughout the Midwest and Ontario,” Bashaw stated. He further highlighted the logistical benefits, noting, “Being closer to the majority of our stores means reduced delivery times. Looking ahead, the facility offers ample space for future expansion, ensuring we can effectively support our continued growth.”
Spanning 16.5 acres within the historically rich Pullman neighborhood, this newly constructed whole foods distribution center is designed with employee well-being in mind. The facility boasts modern amenities including a fresh salad bar, an outdoor grilling and patio area, and a fully equipped exercise room for Team Members to enjoy during their breaks and downtime. Currently employing 100 Team Members, who have transitioned from the company’s previous, smaller 5-acre facility in Munster, Indiana, the center is poised to become a major employer in the Pullman community.
Beyond its operational advantages and employee-focused design, the new whole foods distribution center incorporates significant environmental improvements. The facility is approximately 20 percent more electrically efficient than previous centers, resulting in substantial energy and cost savings. These efficiencies are achieved through a range of sustainable technologies, including the use of natural refrigerants, occupancy-based light sensors, high-efficiency interior and exterior lighting systems, thermosiphon oil cooling, and an innovative system for redistributing refrigeration waste heat to warm the building’s floors. These green initiatives underscore Whole Foods Market’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship.
Strategically positioned with enhanced access to major transportation arteries, the whole foods distribution center is designed to streamline product replenishment for Whole Foods Market stores. This improved logistics network ensures that stores can restock shelves more quickly, guaranteeing consistent availability of popular products for shoppers. The facility is projected to handle an average weekly volume of 200,000 cases, supplying Whole Foods Market locations across Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa, as well as the Canadian province of Ontario. This increased capacity will significantly bolster Whole Foods Market’s supply chain across a vast geographical area.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel lauded Whole Foods Market’s investment in the city, stating, “Whole Foods’ decision to locate its Midwest distribution center in Chicago is a strong vote of confidence in our city and further evidence of the economic revitalization underway in the historic Pullman community.” He added, “This new distribution center, following the opening of new Whole Foods Markets in Englewood and Hyde Park, is bringing significant investment and new opportunities to Chicago’s neighborhoods.”
The Pullman neighborhood, originally a site for the production of Pullman Railway Cars in the late 19th century, is undergoing a dynamic transformation. The whole foods distribution center joins other notable companies already operating in the area, including Method and Gotham Greens, contributing to the neighborhood’s growing economic ecosystem. In recognition of its historical significance related to industry, urban planning, and labor rights, the U.S. Park Service designated Pullman as a National Monument in 2015.
Bashaw concluded, “Pullman is a community that deeply respects its rich heritage while embracing a forward-looking vision for the future. We are incredibly proud to be an active participant in the ongoing revitalization of Pullman.” The new whole foods distribution center represents not only a strategic logistical upgrade for Whole Foods Market but also a significant economic and community development for Chicago’s historic Pullman neighborhood.
