The system is operated by Smallhold, a Brooklyn-based indoor farm that distributes its technology to restaurants. Whole Foods is the company's first retail partner.
The oyster mushrooms are started at nearby farms and are moved to the lighted store display in the final stages of growth. Shoppers can then choose between yellow, blue and pink oyster mushrooms, harvested on the spot.
Fooddive.com reports how this unique installation is both educational and practical and also reflects Whole Foods' position as a mission-driven company trying to set standards of excellence for food retailers.
The project embraces three of the company's six core values: selling the highest quality natural and organic foods, satisfying and delighting customers, and caring about the community and environment.
While the new Whole Foods outlet in Bridgewater recently opened, it's anyone's guess whether future in-store mini farms will be featured in Whole Foods.