By Michelle Sathe

When does a grocery store become a dining hot spot? When that store is Whole Foods Market. After almost two years in Valencia, the world’s leading natural and organics food supermarket has attracted a local contingent of foodies hungry for their unique mixture of freshness and international appeal.

No wonder. Walking the food court is like taking a trip around the world. In one corner, fresh sushi is being rolled alongside steaming noodle dishes. Right next door, a wood-burning oven produces crispy, gourmet pizza pies. In the middle of the court, there’s a mile-long salad bar boasting colorful produce and toppings, just before a customize-your-own burrito station.

Craving comfort? A hot bar regularly features Indian and American specialties, where fried chicken and mashed potatoes reside with chicken curry and chana masala, while four varieties of homemade, simmering soups are just around the corner. A full hot breakfast is available every morning starting at 8 a.m., with rotating options ranging from tofu scramble to crème brulee French toast to corned beef hash. Not that hungry? A cappuccino bar and bakery offers lighter fare.

"There’s not so much a restaurant feel to our store as an adventurous food experience. The atmosphere is very family-friendly and the view from our west-facing windows as you dine in the evening is most often a spectacular California sunset," said Tina Landrum, Whole Foods Valencia marketing supervisor.

Wandering down the grocery aisles is an epicure’s delight. African fair trade coffee, freshly caught Alaskan halibut, top-quality Australian lamb, wine from South Africa and coconuts from Thailand, are just some of the unique products available to Whole Foods Market shoppers. In keeping with their mission and core values, the 40,000 square-foot store also carries eco-friendly paper products, organically grown cotton and hemp clothing, and natural beauty products.

"Our company was built by people who put the love of good food and a strong sense of environmental stewardship above the pervasive need to make lots of money. We have many private label lines, like 365 Organic, Whole Kids Organic, Whole Pantry, Whole Kitchen, and Whole Ranch, that were created to provide excellent quality at very competitive prices. Whole Foods Market believes that the true value of food is offering both of these together," Landrum said.

Another cornerstone of the Whole Foods Market philosophy is education. The Valencia store holds health fairs twice a year, a regular Kids Club cooking class, and monthly seminars, with topics ranging from feng shui to supplements to gluten-free diets. During the holidays, food demonstrations provide customers with alternative and healthy recipe ideas, while the seasons are catered to with festive store features, such as grilling tips, tasty marinades, and whistle-wetting beverages for summer.

"There are many issues surrounding food, personal health, and the environment that are truly community and global issues. When we educate our customers, we all learn and are empowered as people," Landrum said. "Whole Foods Market is about striving to make life better through all of these avenues and food is the one thing that unites us."