Empowering Individuals in the Global Community Through Entrepreneurship
Whole Planet Foundation's Poverty is Unnecessary Fund provides expansion funds for new microlending projects through a $25,000 annual donation. This $25,000 giving level was launched in 2009 and has expanded to eight members (see below). One dollar can make a difference in the life of an impoverished entrepreneur, and $25,000 can change the lives of 150 impoverished families for generations!
From founding member Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day: "We are honored to join Whole Planet Foundation with its like-minded values and support women in the development of home-based businesses that help to better their own livelihoods and those of their families."
2013 Supplier Programs Overview: Poverty is Unnecessary Fund
To learn more, contact WPF’s Marketing and Outreach Specialist, Lauren Evans at lauren.evans@wholefoods.com.
Café Spice
Cafe Spice Global Cuisine is a natural foods manufacturer specializing in freshly prepared, ready-to-eat, global cuisine. From its 50,000 sq. foot, USDA certified facility, based in New Windsor, NY, Café Spice prepares authentic, all natural ethnic food with direct delivery to natural foods grocery chains such as Whole Foods Market, national foodservice providers, natural foods distributors, universities, and independent ethnic food markets. Café Spice also owns & operates, Indian Quick Service Restaurants (Café Spice Express) and is a certified Minority-Owned Business by the NY & NJ Minority Supplier Development Council.
In October 2011, Café Spice participated in a unique scanback program with select Whole Foods Market regions that raised $31,700. Their generosity will provide 142 loans to poor women entrepreneurs to empower them to change their own lives -- and on average five family members -- positively impacting more than 840 people around the world. “I was extremely pleased with the outcome of our first philanthropic promotion with Whole Planet Foundation,” said Sameer Malhotra, Café Spice’s co-founder “…which we viewed as having two goals. First, to raise money for the provision of small business loans to women in need. And second, but equally important, to raise awareness about poverty and how microcredit can empower and change peoples’ lives.”
Genji Sushi
Established in 1997, Genji Sushi is dedicated to the finest quality all-natural sushi and Japanese-inspired cuisine in a grab-and-go style. Its sushi bars are located within over 150 Whole Foods Market locations in 18 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in the U.K. At each location, skilled chefs prepare a variety of fresh items on-site, including raw, cooked, vegetarian and vegan-friendly sushi and sides. The company mission is to contribute towards healthier food consumption habits on a global level. For more information about the company, visit www.genjiweb.com.
LÄRABAR
Simple. Pure. Delicious.™ A blend of unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices, each LÄRABAR is made from 100% whole food, and no more than 2 to 9 ingredients. LÄRABAR supported Whole Planet Foundation in 2012 through a Whole Foods Market scanback program and by sponsoring 2nd Street Soundcheck, Austin's first philanthropic music festival benefiting Whole Planet Foundation.
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day
Whole Planet Foundation welcomed Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day® as the second member of the Poverty is Unnecessary Fund, a $25,000 annual donation. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day household products are inspired by its namesake, Mrs. Thelma A. Meyer – a real-life Iowa mother of 9 (and grandmother of 22!) who instills hardworking, resourceful and neighborly values in both her family and community. As such, we are honored to join Whole Planet Foundation with its like-minded values and support women in the development of home-based businesses that help to better their own livelihoods and those of their families.
“Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day is proud to support the Whole Planet Foundation and its efforts to empower women around the globe," said Kim Chisholm, VP of Marketing for Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day. "This partnership gives us a unique opportunity to work with Whole Foods to give back to communities in need and we look forward to continuing this important work.”
Nature’s Path
Nature’s Path has donated the back of their cereal boxes to spread awareness and share the incredible stories of the women helped by microcredit through Whole Planet Foundation. Nature’s Path is also empowering consumers to help by donating one dollar from every box of Nature’s Path Muesli, a Fair Trade Certified product, sold to the organization, bundling consumers’ good will to help alleviate poverty.
Odwalla
Odwalla, Inc. delivers nourishment coast to coast with the Odwalla family of juices, juice drinks, smoothies, protein drinks and nourishing food bars. Odwalla has been making juices and innovating in the natural health beverage category for 30 years, and its nourishing beverages and food bars are available in natural food stores, select supermarkets and specialty outlets throughout the country, including all Whole Foods Market stores companywide. Odwalla proudly supports Whole Planet Foundation in 2011 and 2012 with a $25,000 donation to fight global poverty. To learn more about Odwalla products, please visit www.Odwalla.com or call 1.800.ODWALLA. Also follow Odwalla on Facebook (www.facebook.com/odwalla) and Twitter (@Odwalla)
RESCUE Remedy
Trusted for more than 75 years in more than 66 countries, RESCUE Remedy provides an all-natural, gentle and effective approach to managing everyday stress. A blend of five of the 38 Bach Original Flower Remedies, RESCUE Remedy is formulated to help consumers stress less and keep up with life’s demands. RESCUE Remedy is available in several convenient formats to fit within anyone’s busy day. RESCUE spray, drops, gum and pastilles are all easy to use and discreet, are 100 percent natural, non-habit forming and safe for the entire family.
“RESCUE Remedy helps women around the world cope with day-to-day stresses. Our donation to Whole Planet Foundation is an exciting way for us to provide financial stress relief to entrepreneurial women who are fighting poverty and supporting themselves, their families and in turn,making an impact on their entire communities,” Katrina Eichenfeldt, Senior Brand Manager, RESCUE Remedy. “We are so pleased to make this donation to Whole Planet Foundation and support their efforts.”
Steaz
One of the coolest things about shopping at Whole Foods is how your purchase helps change the world through one of the many programs Whole Foods supports. What’s even more exciting is when some of the programs come together, and your purchase makes an even bigger difference. Well that’s what happens when you buy a refreshing Steaz certified organic/fair trade beverage – whether one of the “iced teaz,” sparkling teas, energy drinks or energy shots. As a participant in the Whole Trade® Guarantee and Whole Planet Foundation programs, every Steaz beverage is helping transform the world.
“Steaz is built around three core business values; People, Planet and Profits. People: we take great pride knowing we are helping farmers live a better life. Planet: we are mindful of protecting the earth with carbon offset and reduction programs. Profits: not the profits we make but the fact that we are happy to pay more for our tea knowing some of our profits go directly into the pockets of the farmers who grow our organic teas,” said Steven Kessler, co-founder of Steaz. “To enhance this community development even further through Whole Planet Foundation, Steaz is contributing $25,000 to fund microloans in 57 countries where Whole Foods Market products are grown.” Learn more about Steaz
