Whole Foods Market has officially opened its doors in Rochester, New York, marking a significant milestone for the city’s vibrant food scene. The brand-new 50,000-square-foot store, located at 2740 Monroe Avenue in Brighton, welcomed its first customers on April 12th at 7 a.m. EST, bringing a highly anticipated and unique grocery shopping experience to the region. This is the first Whole Foods Market in Rochester, NY, offering local residents access to the retailer’s renowned selection of natural and organic foods, alongside a strong commitment to community and local producers.
“We are incredibly excited to become part of the Rochester community with the opening of our first store here,” stated Nicole Davia, Whole Foods Market’s Regional President for the Northeast Region. “Our team is ready to provide an exceptional shopping experience, showcasing our high-quality standards and a diverse range of products, with a special focus on items sourced from local farms and producers right here in Western and Central New York.” The opening of Whole Foods Market Rochester, NY, is not just the arrival of a grocery store; it’s the introduction of a new food philosophy and community partner to the area.
One of the standout features of the new Whole Foods Market Rochester is its dedication to local sourcing. The store boasts over 500 products from Central and Western New York, carefully selected with the expertise of John Lawson, Whole Foods Market’s Local Forager for the Northeast Region. This commitment to local extends beyond just stocking shelves; on opening day, Whole Foods Market announced Oliver’s Organic Eggs as the latest beneficiary of their Local Producer Loan Program (LPLP). Oliver’s Organic Eggs, a local egg supplier, received a low-interest loan of $65,000 to expand their operations with a new hen house, directly supporting their growth alongside the increased demand from the new Whole Foods Market location. This initiative underscores Whole Foods Market’s dedication to fostering growth within the local food ecosystem. To date, the LPLP has distributed over 365 loans, totaling approximately $28 million to support small and emerging producers across the US and Canada.
The design of Whole Foods Market Rochester pays homage to the city’s history. The store’s mid-century modern aesthetic incorporates elements that celebrate Rochester’s legacy as a photography hub. Notably, an enlarged film strip depicting local landmarks is featured above the Specialty Department, a creative nod to Kodak, a company deeply intertwined with Rochester’s identity. This thoughtful design detail provides a unique and localized shopping environment.
The store offers an extensive array of departments designed to cater to diverse culinary needs and preferences:
Produce: Customers will find a wide selection of organic and conventional produce, including items bearing the Sourced for Good certification. A unique in-house Veggie Butcher service is available to custom-cut fruits and vegetables upon request, adding a personalized touch to the shopping experience. Local farm partnerships are strongly represented with offerings from over a dozen farms, including greens from Agbotic Farms, tomatoes from Intergrow, beets from Stick and Stone Farm, and apples from Hudson River Fruit.
Specialty: This department is a celebration of artisan food producers, particularly cheesemakers. Highlights include fresh pastas from Severino Pasta, and local cheeses like Lumberjack Bucheron from Old Chatham Creamery and cheese curds from Family Farmstead Dairy. Trained cheesemongers are on hand to provide expert advice and create custom cheese boards for any occasion.
Grocery: Shoppers will find a curated grocery selection featuring both national favorites and local gems, including items from Whole Foods Market’s private label, 365 by Whole Foods Market. Local products in this section include coffee from Joe Bean and Bold & Gritty, sauces from Rubino’s Italian Foods, pastas from Bozza’s, kombucha from Katboocha, and eggs from Oliver’s Organic Eggs, further emphasizing the store’s commitment to regional producers.
Seafood: The full-service seafood counter offers a variety of sustainable, wild-caught, and Responsibly Farmed options. Made-in-house seafood cakes and burgers, ready-to-cook meals, and expert fishmongers are available to assist customers with any request, from cutting to filleting.
Meat: The full-service meat counter features craftsman butchers ready to custom cut steaks and debone poultry. Offerings include made-in-house dry-aged beef, sausages, and ground beef, alongside local options like sausage from Bilinski’s and pork from Briar Wood Farms.
Beer: Beer enthusiasts will appreciate the extensive selection of over 200 craft beers, with a focus on local breweries such as Swiftwater Brewing, Fifth Frame Brewing Co., and Strangebird.
Prepared Foods: For those seeking ready-to-eat options, the Prepared Foods section offers a hot food bar, salad bar, soup station, made-in-house rotisserie chicken, fresh hot pizza, sushi by Kikka, and pre-packed salads and sandwiches. The store also features Za’atar, a Mediterranean-inspired venue unique to Whole Foods Market, offering fresh salads and grain bowls.
Bakery: The Bakery department features made-in-house breads and seasonal favorites like Mango Yuzu Chantilly cake, strawberry rhubarb pie, and raspberry rhubarb scones. Special dietary needs are catered to with a variety of options, and a partnership with hyper-local Village Bakery provides baguettes, sourdough, and more.
Whole Body: The Whole Body section offers a wide range of seasonal and experiential bath and body care products. All beauty and body care items meet Whole Foods Market’s stringent quality standards, which prohibit over 180 ingredients.
Whole Foods Market Rochester is committed to giving back to the community. Through the Nourishing our Neighborhoods program, a refrigerated van will be donated to Open Door Mission, enabling them to transport perishable and non-perishable food to those in need. Donations have also been made to local food rescue organizations Foodlink and Flower City Pickers, as well as The Commissary, Rochester’s shared commercial kitchen and food business incubator.
Amazon Prime members shopping at Whole Foods Market Rochester can enjoy benefits such as deep discounts on select items and an additional 10% off hundreds of in-store sale items. Grocery pickup is also available for added convenience.
Regular store hours for Whole Foods Market Rochester, NY, are 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. EST daily. For more information, customers can visit wholefoods.com/stores/Rochester.
Whole Foods Market Rochester is set to become a cornerstone of the local food scene, offering an unparalleled selection of high-quality natural and organic foods, a strong commitment to local producers, and a dedication to serving the Rochester community. Welcome to Rochester, Whole Foods Market!
