HONOLULU, HI (November 14, 2011) – Shoppers can help Hawai‘i’s families in need gain access to fresh, nutritious produce by donating their change at Whole Foods Market to provide funding for Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) payment options at local farmers markets. For its current Recycle Your Change program, Whole Foods Market has partnered with Green Wheel Food Hub in an effort to connect O‘ahu farmers with individuals and families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food stamps.
“For families and shoppers struggling to make ends meet, gaining access to fresh, affordable local produce is often a struggle,” said Denise Albano, Feed the Hunger Foundation. “This partnership with Whole Foods Market is an important first step in breaking down barriers to nutritious foods and making them accessible to everyone.”
Funds raised through the Recycle Your Change program will be used to create a check-out station at the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau's Honolulu Farmers Market for shoppers under federal assistance programs. Green Wheel Food Hub is also working to expand the payment option to other local community farmers markets to establish a thriving food network.
Green Wheel Food Hub is a fiscally sponsored project of Feed the Hunger Foundation (FTHF), which works to provide sustainable, local, healthy, affordable and accessible food and water to low-income communities. In Hawai‘i, FTHF also organizes microfinance and education opportunities. For more information on Green Wheel Food Hub, please visit www.greenwheelfoodhub.org.
“Whole Foods Market believes that access to fresh, all-natural and local food is a right, not a privilege and we are excited to work alongside an organization like Green Wheel Food Hub and further their mission to ensure all island residents can fill their table with fresh, local, organic foods.” said Natalie Aczon, Whole Foods Market K?hala’s marketing supervisor. “Next time shoppers are making their own nutritious purchases at Whole Foods Market, we encourage them to take the time to donate their change – or any amount they can afford – to supporting this great effort.”
The Recycle Your Change program provides customers an opportunity to support nonprofits by ‘recycling’ their left over change when making a purchase at Whole Foods Market. Recent recipients of this program have included Aloha United Way, Diamond Head Theatre Shooting Stars, Hawai‘i Bicycling League, and the Honolulu Academy of Arts’ Art To Go program.
For additional information on Whole Foods Market K?hala, please visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/honolulu/ or call (808) 738 ?0820. Whole Foods Market K?hala is also on twitter, www.twitter.com/wfmkahala and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WholeFoodsKahala for even more up-to-the-minute updates on store events and sales.
