Thoughts on Community

by briarcliff, September 26, 2009 | Permalink

Thoughts on Community

By: Michael Shively

As some of you may know, our company was founded on a set of Core Values.  These values guide us through the decisions we make around here.  One of those Core Values, “Supporting our communities and environment” is something that we have really focused on at the Briarcliff store and we are very pleased at the relationships we have built in the past couple of years. 

There is one particular relationship that we have here that I think is important to write about. Over a year ago our Marketing Team Leader, Kate Graham and I began conversations with some very “tuned in” moms from Morningside Elementary School (MES). These mothers are passionate about everything from rain barrel and garden education to pushing schools to carry organic milk for their children.  Each time we saw one of these ‘supermoms’ in the store we would inevitably end up in dialogue about what we could do to support the school and parents in their quest to create a garden haven for kids – in order for them to know where food comes from, how to grow it at different times of the year, and how to appreciate it after harvesting.

So we got on board and helped them here and there with the needs of the school’s existing garden through various donations, but our most recent partnership set the bar higher and made me realize what a huge role the kids and parents at MES play in the success of Whole Foods Market Briarcliff.  On September 17^th we held a 5% day to further support the school’s garden project. We host one 5% day each quarter and 5% of one day’s net sales go to a nonprofit organization in our direct community.  This 5% day was held to help fund the new gardens through the Seed-N-Feed Foundation.  With the help of the parents and faculty at MES the word spread through the community about the 5% day, and let me tell you that from the time we opened to the time we closed, the good folks in the Morningside neighborhood supported their school by shopping at our store.  It was apparent as parents volunteered at a table out front of the store all day the tight knit nature of this community.  Everyone was speaking to everyone and laughing and talking it up.  There were lots of students from Morningside with their parents and we saw a good turnout from teachers.  It was a wonderful sight to see and a reminder of how important and beautiful community is.  Through the 5% day we raised $2,640 for the Seed-N-Feed Foundation!  We are so happy to be part of such a project and appreciate being able to give back in this small way.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to appreciate those Morningside moms who reached out and started the original conversations with us and continue to work hard every day to ensure that their kids are being fed well and educated around the origin and beauty of food.  I especially want to appreciate Teresa Groshans for her tireless work in building the Seed-N-Feed Foundation.  Her energy and focus are second to none.  She is sincerely committed to the diet and education of our children. Teresa is an inspiration and a true asset to our community. 

So, thank you Morningside. Thank you for caring for your community enough to come out on a rainy day and support our store and your school.  We are proud to be a part of it!

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