News for Knoxville, TN

Asheville, N.C., October 6, 2006 – New York City’s recent declaration to drastically reduce the amount of trans fats in food prepared by the city’s restaurants received kudos and “at a boys” from health experts all the way from Yale to the University of Alabama in Birmingham. The City and its Department of Health are being toted as “thought-leaders” in issues concerning health. However, Earth Fare, a burgeoning natural and organic foods supermarket located in the Southeast, beat them to the punch – about 13 years ago!

“When Earth Fare reexamined its food philosophy and clarified its definition of natural in 1993, trans fats didn’t make the cut and have been banned from our shelves ever since,” says Troy DeGroff, director of sales and marketing for Earth Fare. “We were looking out for our customers’ health and well being long before others decided to jump on the band wagon.”

Trans fats, also known as trans fatty acids, are made through an unnatural process called hydrogenation that converts liquid oils into solid fats. While increasing the shelf life of products such as margarine, cookies, chips, crackers, and fast food, trans fats do not increase the shelf life of humans – in fact, it’s just the opposite.

According to recent studies published by the Institute of Medicine, National Academies of Science (IOM/NAS), trans fats lower good cholesterol (HDL) and raise bad cholesterol (LDL), which is a significant contributor to heart disease. Studies also show that consuming just five grams of trans fats a day over many years boosts the risk of heart disease by 25 per cent. It’s estimated that in the U.S., up to 50,000 premature, heart related deaths can be linked to the consumption of trans fats.

Fortunately, there are safer and equally affordable alternatives to trans fats. Whole and flavorful monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats like olive oil and canola oil, nut oils made from peanuts, hazelnuts or walnuts, as well as flavor and vitamin rich butter. Earth Fare features foods made with these types of oils and healthy fats.

“We have always been aware that the unnatural processing of foods not only destroys natural flavor, but it also destroys people’s bodies," says DeGroff. “And, if good health isn’t enough of a motivator for you, think about it in terms of taste. Which would you rather eat, a spoonful of shortening or a spoonful of real butter? It really is an easy decision.”

So, while New York and all the others try to catch up, Earth Fare will continue to offer a trans fat-free shopping and dinning experience for its customers. From the shelves and freezers, to the bakery and café, customers don’t have to worry about reading the labels to know they are getting the most natural products around.

Today, Earth Fare has grown into a premier chain of natural foods supermarkets located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. All Earth Fare supermarkets provide customers with real food that tastes better. For more information regarding Earth Fare, please visit www.earthfare.com or call the corporate offices at 828-281-4800.