Have you stopped by the new Whole Foods Market in Bellingham yet? The store opened May 11, 2016, to quite a buzz in the community as the newest option for high-quality foods and locally sourced products.
Known for being active partners with the communities they serve, Whole Foods Market prefers to take a customized approach when identifying the needs and priorities of the communities where they operate.
“For years, we’ve recognized that Bellingham would be a wonderful fit for Whole Foods Market,” President of Whole Foods Pacific Northwest Region Joe Rogoff recently said of the new location. “We look forward to continue to build relationships with the schools and community partners.”
Bellingham Public Schools recently received a $120,000 grant from the Whole Kids Foundation, a non-profit founded by Whole Foods Market, even before the store opened its doors in Bellingham. The Schools Food Support Initiative — as the grant is known — will be used by the district to establish a healthier school meal program.
Along with the Schools Food Support Initiative grant, six additional Bellingham schools were named as recipients of 2016 Garden Grants, to support edible educational gardens. This brings the total of recipients in Bellingham to 16 schools that have received the Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grants.
Another program available to our community is the Local Producer Loan Program, with nine Local Producer Loan recipients in Washington. This program provides low-interest loans to small, local producers. Most recently, Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt received a $100,000 Local Producer Loan.
This is all just the beginning of Whole Foods Market’s commitment to the residents of Whatcom County.
Beyond its grant programs, the company facilitates fundraising and awareness efforts for local organizations through Whole Foods Market “5% Days” where five percent of the net sales for the day are donated to a local non-profit organization or educational institution. Whole Foods Market shoppers also have the opportunity to give back to community organizations every day. Shoppers who bring reusable bags receive a 10-cent refund per bag that can be taken off their bill or donated to the featured non-profit partners of the quarter.
Whole Foods Market’s community presence is evident even further with the inclusion of 30 new local vendors from Washington added to the already 300 regional vendors selling products in-store.
Whole Foods Market looks to create long-term relationships with all its community partners such as the Bellingham Food Bank. Moreover, within the walls of the store is a community. Each team member is committed to the organization and to Bellingham by volunteering at local events and for local non-profit organizations.
Bellingham Store Team Leader, Otto Leuschel, is originally from the Pacific Northwest and has family locally. He’s glad to be back “home.” A 17-year Whole Foods Market team member, Otto believes in the community and is an active member in his.
“If you have positive energy, you will be successful,” says Otto, as he brings that approach to the store in Bellingham and to the community.
Located at 1030 Lakeway Drive, Whole Foods Market provides high-quality foods and locally sourced products, plus great seating area for the community members to enjoy. Next time you’re in the store, say hello to a team member and welcome the latest addition to our community.
