HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I (Sept. 4, 2013) – Whole Foods Market Hawai‘i announces the winners of its inaugural ‘ONO Awards, spotlighting the local producers and suppliers who best embody Whole Foods Market’s mission and core values. The awards, which are the creative brainchild of Whole Foods Market Kāhala marketing supervisor Dabney Gough, were presented at Whole Foods Market’s SPROUT Hawai‘i seminars, which took place in August.
“We are thrilled to announce the winners of our first annual ‘ONO awards. Each award recipient has applied inspiring passion, commitment and creativity to build a unique and special business that contributes to the vibrancy of our community,” said Claire Sullivan, Whole Foods Market Hawai‘i coordinator, purchasing and public affairs. “We are delighted to recognize their hard work and amazing products with these ‘ONO Awards, as selected by Whole Foods Market customers and team members.”
“Appreciations are a big part of our culture at Whole Foods Market, and the ‘ONO Awards are a new way for us to publicly appreciate outstanding local producers who are helping to move our food landscape forward,” said Dabney Gough, marketing supervisor at Whole Foods Market Kāhala.
“What MA‘O Farms is to organic farming and the greater community of West O‘ahu, what OnoPops is to teaching people to eat local with popsicles – that’s what Whole Foods Market is to changing the way people shop at supermarkets,” said Josh Lanthier-Welch, co-founder of OnoPops and recipient of the Partner of the Year Award. “Whole Foods Market has been successful in driving the whole conversation and market share in the direction of local and sustainable, and I’m proud to be recognized as a partner in that process.”
‘ONO Awards recipients were chosen by Whole Foods Market Hawai‘i team members, public votes and nominations, in a number of categories.
This year’s winners are:
People's Choice Award
Selected by the Whole Foods Market community, from almost 700 individual votes and hundreds of initial nominations
The Indigenous Soap Company
Team Member Pick of the Year
Selected by Whole Foods Market Hawai‘i team members
MA‘O Organic Farms
Innovation Award
Selected for creativity in product, packaging, or business practices
Maui Brewing Co.
Sustainability Award
Selected for practices that preserve the ‘aina, support our local economy, and promote food/product self-sufficiency
Mana Ai – pa‘i ‘ai
Best New Product
Selected for best new product from previous year to date
Adoboloco hot sauces
Partner of the Year
Selected for exemplifying collaborative win-win partnerships outlined in Whole Foods Market’s core values
OnoPops
Hall of Fame
Selected for a long-standing producer who has made significant contributions to our local food economy
MA‘O Organic Farms
Whole Foods Market has been actively sourcing local products since opening its first store in 1980. In Hawai‘i, Whole Foods Market currently partners with nearly 300 local farmers and producers. In 2012, the stores proudly sourced 43% of the fresh produce used in their prepared foods offerings and sold in the produce department from Hawai‘i farmers. The Hawai‘i team continually seeks out additional local products and producers to grow the volume and variety of Hawai`i grown and made products available at Whole Foods Market’s three island stores.
To learn more about Whole Foods Market, please visit https://wholefoodsmarket.com/.
