Norzina is one of a group of five women who are recipients of Kredi Siklòn loans, a financial service provided by Fonkoze, our implementing partner in Haiti. Her loan of 14,000 Gourdes (USD $341) was used to restart her business of selling charcoal and lumber. She lost 43 sacks of coal in the hurricanes of 2008, with a retail value of approximately 15,000 Gourdes (USD $365). She says that her family was lucky; all they lost in the hurricane were material possessions. Fonkoze offers financial services tailored to the needs of impoverished Haitians, including Kredi Siklòn, no-interest loans to help microcredit clients devastated by hurricanes to get their businesses restarted. “The minute you sell, you have to buy more so you can reinvest the money.  It is on credit and you can’t let it sit around.” She wants to continue to grow, to make more money and expand her business.

It’s the perfect time to start jotting down your appointments and events on a new 2010 calendar. Here to help is the third annual edition of the Whole Planet Foundation calendar featuring photographs of inspiring entrepreneurs from Peru, Bolivia, India, Haiti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Guatemala, Thailand, Nepal, Indonesia, the United States and East Timor. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill calendar! This one not only helps you keep track of your busy life but also helps you save on your favorite products with over $30 in coupons and all proceeds from the sale of these calendars benefit WPF microcredit clients. All that for $2. Pick up your copy (or two or three!) of the WPF 2010 Calendar in your local U.S. Whole Foods Market store now through January.

We are delighted to announce a new Supplier Alliance for Microcredit partner, Cascal. The Supplier Alliance is an alliance of like-minded companies planting seeds of prosperity around the world. Founding members Allegro Coffee Company, Back to Nature, Balance Bar, Celestial Seasonings, Earth's Best, Ito En, Naked Juice, New Chapter, Seventh Generation, Stacy's, Teas' Tea and Whole Foods Market pledged $1.05 million to support WPF microlending programs. Cascal joins this support with an additional $150,000 over the next three years.

Our new giving level, the Poverty Is Unnecessary Fund*, includes founding member Simply Orange Juice Company who is donating $25,000 in one year for expansion funds for new microlending projects. Our mission is to empower the poor through microcredit in the 72 countries around the globe where Whole Foods Market sources product. Simply Orange Juice Companys's meaningful support will help. Please join us in 2010 as we focus on expanding in Africa. 
*"Poverty is Unnecessary", Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus.

WPF's Change for Change Fund was launched to engage members of the Whole Foods Market community (vendors, suppliers and shoppers) in our mission to empower the poor through microcredit. Starting with Founding Member Be Green Packaging, each member's $10,000 annual donation to WPF provides expansion funds for new microlending projects. $1 can make a difference in the life of an impoverished entrepreneur, and $10,000 can change the lives of 53 families for generations (based on our average loan size of $186 in the developing world).

Norzina invited WPF's Genie Bolduc and Steve Wanta to make Liberation Soup (Soupe Joumou) with her, a pumpkin soup traditionally eaten by Haitians on New Year’s Day to celebrate Haitian Independence. Norzina supports her community in many ways including feeding children in her neighborhood, setting an example of how to be successful and lift yourself and your family out of poverty while helping others. We hope you enjoy this recipe with your family.

Check out our latest posting on Whole Foods Market's blog, Whole Story.

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