Whole Foods Market® New Whole Kids Foundation Grants Sows the Seeds for School Gardens

Now through September 30, Whole Foods Market shoppers can help schools grow green when they make a donation at check out

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WFM Garden Grants

Kahului, HI (August 25, 2011) – As local students head back to the classroom this fall, Whole Foods Market is lending a green thumb to schools to help them create or expand upon community and school gardens. Launched under the company’s new Whole Kids Foundation, the garden grants will provide access to fresh produce, engage children with an understanding of where food comes from and bridge the connection of a healthy planet and a healthy body. Through December 31, 2011, public, private and charter schools as well as community gardening organizations can submit for a grant by applying at www.wholekidsfoundation.org.

 

Whole Foods Market will be accepting donations in stores and online now through September 30, 2011 to support this program and aims to fund 1,000 gardens with through grants of $2,000 each.

 

“Whole Foods Market is a big supporter of providing our local keiki hands on education to growing and producing their own food and thinking about healthy eating in a sustainable way,” said Elyse Ditzel, Whole Foods Market Kahului marketing supervisor. “We encourage shoppers to get involved in any way they can, whether it’s applying for a grant at your school or donating your spare change at the store. Every little bit helps us provide the seeds of change amongst our children and the way that they look at food.”

 

In 2010, Whole Foods Market partnered with F3: Food Family Farming Foundation for its Salad Bar Project, which helped to install 570 salad bars into schools nationwide. Hawai’i schools who received salad bars included Hālau Ku Mana and Waikīkī School on O’ahu, Kanuikapono Public Charter School and Kapa’a High School on Kaua’i as well as Maui Haleakalā Waldorf School, Hāna School and Kīhei Charter School on Maui.

 

Whole Foods Market launched the Whole Kids Foundation as a program to increase children’s access to healthy foods. The foundation’s current focus includes:

  • Ongoing work to install salad bars in schools, providing children access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Offering garden grants to provide creation and expansion of school and community gardening.
  • Education for teachers through classes and resources aimed to promote health and nutrition in the classroom.

For additional information on Whole Foods Market’s Kahului store, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/maui/ or call (808) 872-3310. To keep up-to-date on the latest store news, events and sales, follow Whole Foods Market Kahului on twitter at www.twitter.com/wfmkahului or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WFMKahului.