FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PCC Natural Markets announces grand opening of new eco-friendly Fremont store
PCC To Donate 10% of Grand Opening Store Sales to Fremont Public Association
Seattle, WA (June 18, 2003) — PCC Natural Markets, a community owned Seattle-based chain of natural food grocery stores, today announced the grand opening of its new urban flagship store in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood. The Fremont PCC store grand opening event will take place on Saturday, June 28. To celebrate the new location, PCC will donate ten percent of Fremont store sales between the hours of 10am-6pm on June 28th to benefit the Fremont Public Association (FPA).
"PCC loves Fremont," said Tracy Wolpert, PCC CEO. "PCC has been in Fremont since 1994. We love the neighborhood and appreciate all of the support Fremont residents and businesses have shown us. The new Fremont location is a major upgrade from our old space. The new store offers our customers all the choices in natural and organic foods they have come to expect from PCC as well as a much needed expanded underground parking lot to make shopping more convenient."
The newly constructed, eco-friendly Fremont location, designed by Seattle based VELOCIPEDE architects, features a wide variety of innovations to boost energy efficiency, utilize recycled materials, and improve indoor air quality. The store's eco-friendly highlights include energy efficient lighting, photo-voltaic cells (solar panels), recycled structural steel, refrigerant that does not harm the ozone layer, and even an elevator that operates using biodegradable canola oil rather than standard hydraulic fluid.
"PCC's new Fremont location contains the most innovative eco-friendly features found in any Seattle grocery store," said George Ostrow, architect of the new PCC Fremont store. "From the solar panels and recycled straw cabinets to the linoleum floors in the bathrooms and the filtered fresh air, customers will enjoy a total eco-design experience when they visit the store."
To celebrate the Fremont store's grand opening, ten percent of Fremont sales between 10am-6pm on June 28th will go to the FPA's Lettuce Link and Food Security for Children Programs. Lettuce Link produces and distributes over 20,000 pounds of fresh, organic produce to low-income families at food banks citywide. It also distributes seeds and plant starts that enable these families to grow their own organic produce. Food Security for Children supplies infant formula, baby food and other essential items at food banks throughout Seattle for families with babies and young children.
"As more and more people in our area depend on food banks for their basic nutrition needs, the Fremont Public Association is working hard to help area food banks keep up with the demand," said Lettuce Link program director Lee Harper. "Thanks to the generous contributions of PCC and its shoppers, the FPA's Lettuce Link will be able to provide organic fruits and vegetables to even more hungry families throughout our city."
"We can think of no better way to celebrate the grand opening of our Fremont store than by highlighting and supporting the good works of our neighbor, the Fremont Public Association," continued Wolpert. "PCC's mission is to offer the community the highest quality natural and organic food anywhere while educating consumers about issues such as food safety and the integrity of organic regulations. The new Fremont store continues to demonstrate our commitment to being more than a successful business. We see ourselves as an integral part of maintaining this neighborhood's daily vitality."
At the grand opening event, the FPA will be on site to answer questions about the organization's services. PCC staff will also be on hand providing food samples from departments around the store, featuring:
- Spring Herb Crusted Wild Alaskan Salmon
- Horseradish and Peppercorn Grilled Oregon Country Beef
- Curried Eggplant Ravioli
- Sesame Snap Peas
- French Lentils with Feta
- Summer fruits and berries
About PCC
PCC is a seven-store chain of natural food markets in the Puget Sound area providing the highest quality natural foods and products to their customers. Owned and operated by its more than 40,000 members, PCC has created and cultivated the marketplace for locally grown and organic products. It is also an important resource on food, nutrition and environmental issues for the greater Seattle and Eastside communities. PCC has locations in Fremont, Greenlake, Issaquah, Kirkland, Seward Park, View Ridge and West Seattle.
About the FPA
The Fremont Public Association builds stable, self-sustaining futures for thousands of families each year, helping them overcome economic crises and develop the skills and resources they need to thrive. Through nearly 30 programs operating throughout King County, FPA fights hunger, isolation, violence, homelessness and despair, advancing the vision of an end to poverty in our community.