UH Whole Foods Market Community Day to Have a 'Sustainable' Presence


Visitors to the Whole Foods Market in the Galleria area on Aug. 20 can get a lesson in making their own natural exfoliate hand scrub and pesto while also helping out the University of Houston.

As part of Whole Food Market’s commitment to the community, individual stores host community giving days once a quarter, donating 5 percent of net sales to different local non-profits. On that particular day, a portion of the sales from the store at 1700 Post Oak Blvd. will be earmarked for two programs at the University of Houston: the campus community garden and Shasta’s Culinary Workshop.

Representatives from the University of Houston will be present throughout the day to talk to visitors and engage with them about sustainability issues and programs taking place at UH. The Office of Sustainability, which manages the campus garden, will be hosting an “Herbs to Heal: Make Your Own Scrubs” demonstration from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., using basic ingredients such as honey, sugar and herbs.

"It will be a wonderful opportunity for people to learn about sustainability, not only what we are doing at UH, but what they can do in their own lives to make a difference,” said Sarah Kelly, program manager for the Office of Sustainability. “At the same time, they can also see how easy it is to make their own exfoliating scrub using common items they probably already have in their home.”

The UH Department of Health and Human Performance will be represented during the day by nutrition students from its Shasta’s Culinary Workshop. Shasta’s is a student-run cafe on campus, where nutrition students learn commercial food production in a commercial kitchen setting. Representatives will host an “Herbs to Eat: Make Your Own Pesto” demonstration from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

“It is my hope that each UH nutrition student learns to grow herbs locally and feels comfortable enough to teach their future clients simple gardening skills, when they are active in their careers,” said Ann Svendsen-Sanchez, instructor for the food production class. “We appreciate Whole Foods Market giving them the opportunity to share what they are learning.”