Empowering Individuals in the Global Community Through Entrepreneurship
Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet... Our success in fulfilling this vision is measured by our stakeholders' happiness. In an ever shrinking world, it is time to empower our Global communities in partnership for a Whole Planet. Microlending has been proven to increase a families economic stability from a grass roots, bottom up perspective.
Microlending has been proven to increase a families economic stability from a grassroots, bottom up perspective.
The Whole Planet Foundation (A Whole Foods Market foundation) is a way for our passionate Team Members, Customers and the general public to directly impact our global communities through innovative assistance for entrepreneurship - including direct microcredit loans and tangible support for other community partnership projects. We seek unleash the energy and creativity of every human being in order to create wealth and prosperity in emerging economies.
As of December 31, 2007, the Whole Planet Foundation working with Grameen Guatemala has funded 6,489 entrepreneurs around Lake Atitlan where Whole Foods Market Sources coffee. Through a partnership with Global Giving, the goal is to reach an additional 200 women to empower them to improve their financial position with small loans for their microenterprises, which include weaving, agricultural production, selling goods in the local markets, among other businesses.
GOAL: Loans 200 women entrepreneurs totaling $30,000
As of December 31, 2007, The Whole Planet Foundation, in partnership with Grameen Costa Rica, is improving the lives of more than 3,264 women in the Limon province of Costa Rica. In this region, Whole Foods promotes sustainable agriculture with the purchase of EARTH bananas. The women microentrepreneurs in this community are running a range of businesses including: small shops, bakeries, sewing, small agricultural plots and animal husbandry. By collaborating with Global Giving, an additional 150 women will receive access to capital as they work to provide a better life for their families.
GOAL: Loans 150 women entrepreneurs totaling $30,000
