Our local producers are total rock stars. Their creativity, ingenuity and absolutely delightful products are a constant source of inspiration for us. Judging by sales, we know they are a favorite of yours, too! Helping them do more became a goal for Whole Foods Market a few years ago and as of this month, we’ve funded more than $5 million in low-interest loans through our Local Producer Loan Program to help them grow their businesses. To celebrate the $5 million mark, we’re giving away a basket filled with culinary treasures from several of our loan recipients! This is your chance to experience some of the fabulous products made by passionate small producers that aren’t available in your neck of the woods. Just post a comment below by October 21 telling us what your favorite local product is and why, and you’ll have a chance to win! We’ll choose one lucky commenter at random to receive the basket. The basket full of goodies will include an assortment of samples from some great local producers. Here's who is contributing to the basket and what they make:

• Hail Merry (Dallas, TX) – macaroons, grawnola and nuts
• Progress Coffee (Austin, TX) – toddy blend roast
• Michele’s Granola (Baltimore, MD) – Ginger Hemp granola
• Sticky Toffee Pudding Company (Austin, TX) – three flavors of delicious cakes
• Whale Tails Tortilla Chips (San Diego, CA)
• White Girl Salsa (Denver, CO) 
• NuttZo (San Diego, CA) – creamy multi-nut butter
• Blumetti’s Gourmet Foods (Rockwall, TX) – Vino Parmigiano pasta sauce
• Biggs and Featherbelle (Baltimore, MD) – a mixture of lip balms, lotions and more
• Brad’s Raw Chips (Pipersville, PA) – kale chips
• Bron’s Bee Company (Lafox, Illinois) – raw honey
• Oogavé Sodas (Denver, CO) – Agave Watermelon Cream Soda

When Whole Foods Market first opened its doors as a small natural and organic retailer in 1980, local producers were the lifeblood of our business. 30 years and more than 300 stores later, that fact still rings true. We know what it feels like to be a small business with a big vision and understand that local businesses (even with the highest quality products and a strong business plan) sometimes need a hand to turn their dreams into reality. In 2007, we launched the Local Producer Loan Program with a commitment to fund up to $10 million dollars in low-interest loans to provide local producers with access to the tools and resources they need to expand their businesses. Whether it’s helping our local partners purchase more animals, invest in new equipment or convert to organic production, we want to help them ALL shine. Best of all, supporting local business means keeping money in the pockets of growers in the communities we serve. So what’s your favorite local product and why? Post your comment by October 21 and take advantage of your chance to try these local favorites while you can!