Local Loan Recipients: Southern Pacific

Whole Foods Market's Southern Pacific Region includes Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada.

Alaska's Bakery

Las Vegas, Nevada

Noreen Naidus started Alaska's Bakery in 2007, after having discovered that the organic treats she baked for her dog Alaska were popular with others. She has been selling to Whole Foods Market for a little over a year, and Alaska's Bakery products are currently available throughout our Southern Pacific region.

Alaska's Bakery will be using the Local Producer Loan for marketing, ingredients, and packaging, which will help her expand.

Check out Alaska's Bakery on the Whole Story blog!

NuttZo

San Diego, California

After adopting two malnourished boys from the Ukraine, Danielle LiVolsi started creating creative super-nutritious foods. NuttZo, an organic multi-nut butter high in Omega-3s, is the result of her research. It's made with Valencia peanuts, flax seed, hazelnuts, cashews, almonds, Brazil nuts, and sunflower seeds. Danielle will be using her loan to purchase ingredients and manufacture product in order to expand into additional stores.

Laughing Giraffe Organics

Phoenix, Arizona

Laughing Giraffe Organics is an exciting, young company that produces raw, vegan, organic products, including macaroons and granola. After working for different vegan/vegetarian/raw foods chefs, Justin Baumgartner decided to start his own company and sell foods he believed in. He is extremely passionate about his product, as well as about the importance of eating nutrient-rich food created by people who love what they do.

Laughing Giraffe has received two loans under the Local Producer Loan Program. The first loan was used to expand production capacity by relocating to a larger facility and purchasing new processing and cooking equipment. Loan funds also financed building upgrades and possibly organic certification. Justin's hard work combined with the first loan helped him to expand into the entire Southern Pacific region. The second loan helped him to expand his production capacity even further; now his sights are set on expanding distribution to all Whole Foods Markets in the western part of the U.S.! Laughing Giraffe's products are very popular at Whole Foods Market's stores, and this loan will allow them to expand their production and distribution to reach even more customers!

Check out Laughing Giraffe Organics in the Whole Story blog!

Pitter Patties

Sherman Oaks, California

Susan Stahly and Kerry Williams founded Pitter Patties in 2006 when they saw the need for all-natural, healthy, convenient meal choices for kids. Their muffin-shaped, handheld entrees for children are unique and have been a hit since they were introduced at Whole Foods Market in mid-2008. Moms themselves, Susan and Kerry use whole grains, antibiotic- and hormone-free meat, and no added white flour or sugar; they have vegan, gluten-free choices, as well. Pitter Patties will be using their loan to support demos in the stores so that even more customers know about their products.

Righteously Raw

San Diego, California

Earth Source founder Audrey Darrow is a breast cancer survivor who experienced firsthand the debilitating effects which chemotherapy, radical surgeries and long term radiation have on the body. Her research led her to raw, organic foods, and eventually to the creation of Righteously Raw. The company produces raw, organic chocolate with superfood fillings, inspired and motivated by Audrey's personal history. Audrey is using the loan to purchase a chocolate tempering tank and a chocolate measuring pump, which will help facilitate the production of a new flavor.

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