Whole Planet Foundation

Whole Planet Foundation’s mission is poverty alleviation in developing-world communities where Whole Foods Market sources products. Through microcredit, we seek to unleash the energy and creativity of every human being we work with in order to create wealth and prosperity in emerging economies. Whole Planet Foundation partners with microfinance institutions in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Learn more at www.wholeplanetfoundation.org.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET TEAM MEMBERS HAVE GIVEN OVER $3 MILLION

We are inspired by and grateful to Whole Foods Market Team Members who have given over $3.25 million through their paychecks to support poverty alleviation through microcredit since the program's inception in May of 2007. Over 1/3 (34%) of Whole Foods Market Team Members give, and the impact is huge, generating about $46,000 every two weeks to help people by empowering them with the opportunity to start or expand small businesses to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

Thank you all and visit http://www.wholeplanetfoundation.org/get-involved/team-member-giving/ for more information.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET VENDOR SUPPORT

"We don't hire people to bake brownies. We bake brownies to hire people."

Yonkers-based Greyston Bakery is teaming up with Whole Planet Foundation to offer shoppers a delicious way to help fight global poverty and create jobs for the hard-working poor in the U.S. When shoppers purchase one of the bakery's Chocolate Fudge, Walnut Fudge or Brown Sugar Blondie flavored brownies at Whole Foods Market, 2 percent of the sales will go to Whole Planet Foundation to fund poverty alleviation worldwide. The brownies are currently available in Whole Foods Market stores from Maine to Virginia, with plans to roll out to more locations throughout the year. 

Greyston Bakery employs more than 50 community residents through an open hiring policy that offers the opportunity for real economic stability through training, fair wages and employment benefits. Furthermore, all of its profits support the Greyston Foundation's community development works, which include affordable housing, childcare, health services, job training and community gardens.

TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Patrick

Bellevue, WA

Patrick, an Associate Store Team Leader of the Bellevue Whole Foods Market in Washington state "first learned about microlending in a 'Politics of the Development World' course in college 10 years ago and was very inspired by the work of Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank, and after coming to Whole Foods Market in 2009 I naturally became very passionate about Whole Planet Foundation and the work it does all over the globe. The 2012 Prosperity Campaign has given me the opportunity to showcase that passion and to hopefully inspire others as well. I personally have given enough to fund over 3 initial loans in the past year, and I challenge any Team Member that can, to do the same."

As the result of his leadership, the empowerment and hard work of his Team Members to raise money during our 2012 Annual Prosperity Campaign, Bellevue raised close to $50,000 in customer donations to support microlending programs.

Amongst their other efforts, Bellevue hung an amazing banner on the outside of their store to raise awareness and created a shop-able area in their store called "Prosperity Alley" featuring Supplier Alliance for Microcredit vendors who give $50,000 a year to support microlending programs through Whole Planet Foundation. Hooray to Patrick and to all the Bellevue Team Members who support microcredit in such amazing ways! 

Learn more about why Whole Foods Market Team Members support Whole Planet Foundation.

See the results of the 2012 WPF Annual Prosperity Campaign.

SHARING THE STORY OF MICROCREDIT THROUGH FOOD

Turkish Red Lentil Soup

This version of Turkey's classic lentil soup is home cooking at its best: Simple, flavorful and nutritious. Make it a complete meal by adding a tangy salad and your favorite flatbread or a crusty loaf of whole-grain bread. This recipe was inspired by Ayse, a microcredit client of Turkish Grameen Microcredit, Whole Planet Foundation's implementing partner in Turkey. By preparing traditional soups and stews that are staples in this community, Ayse created a home-based business that allows her, as a single mother, to watch her children while supporting her family.

View more microcredit client inspired recipes.

View more microcredit client stories.