The 'Art' in Food Retailing On the First Day of Summer at Whole Foods Market in New York City's Chelsea District

Like most grocery stores and supermarkets, Whole Foods Markets' six stores in New York City have butchers, bakers, baggers, stock clerks, produce men and women, and grocery checkers, all working away throughout the day.

But that's where the similarities end.

In addition to the workers doing the daily tasks inherent in the various job positions noted above, each of the six Whole Foods' stores in the Big Apple also have two full time artists on staff. The artists job: To create.

And create the in-store artists do. Their works improve and adorn the inside of the six Whole Foods' stores in Manhattan in a variety of ways, as well as often being displayed outside the stores so passers by are able to enjoy the works of art as they walk by.

That was the case today outside the Whole Foods Market store at 250 7th Avenue in Manhattan's Chelsea District, which is home to numerous artists and has its own art district.

In honor of Summer Solstice today, which marks the first day of summer, the Whole Foods store in Chelsea displayed the work of art pictured at top, which was painted by Steve Feldman, one of the store's two full time artists. Feldman calls his painting "Beast of Summer."

Along with calling it enjoyable, we also call it another example of the many creative ways Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market, Inc. differentiates itself from its competitors, while at the same time offering a public service.

That public service: Providing free works of art for people who find themselves strolling by the Whole Foods store in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood to enjoy, including the piece on display today, which has a theme fit for the first day of summer.
Enjoy your summer.

[Readers: Click on these links - Whole Foods Market, Whole Foods Market Inc. - to read past stories about Whole Foods Market in Fresh & Easy Buzz.]