Whole Foods551

Whole Foods offers something for everyone, from an extensive selection of organic produce and grocery items, to the whole body section of natural soaps, vitamins, and homeopathic remedies. The salad bar, deli, and bakery are great places to get something to-go (or even dine-in) for dinner. Whole Foods may not be the cheapest way to fill the cupboards, but lots of health-conscious moms swear by it.

Sample stations throughout the store allow hungry kids (and hungry parents) to graze while they shop.

The market sometimes hosts family events, including a community favorite, the market's annual Earth Day extravaganza.

Since new branches of this enormous chain are opening all the time, this list is only a selection of what's available in the LA area; all Wild Oats stores are also now operated by Whole Foods as well.

Some stores hold more events than others or have more services to offer, like chair massages at the Santa Monica location. The Pasadena Arroyo location is one of the company's largest in the nation and features several "kitchens" that prepare ready-to-eat food, a full bakery, a wine and tapas lounge, salad and soup bars, an ethnic cuisine bar, and a nut bar, which dishes out nuts that are freshly roasted in an array of seasonings. Kids we know are fascinated by the Pasadena store's conveyor-belt cart escalator that magically transports patrons' groceries from floor to floor.

Check out Whole Food's website, as well. It offers a Health & Wellness section that covers helpful topics like prenatal care and kids' nutrition.

Whole Foods lets kids in on the fun with its Kids Club. Membership entitles kids to get a coupon for a free product in the store every time they visit after presenting the Kids Club card to the Customer Service desk. Members are also invited to special gatherings and events. Membership is free, and cards are available at Customer Service.