AUSTIN, Texas (November 24, 2008) — Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFMI) today unveiled a selection of socially responsible holiday foods and gifts that help shoppers not only give but also give back. From handmade Nepalese felted wool ornaments to an organic cotton peace scarf, these gifts help preserve the health of the earth’s resources and its people.
“The spirit of giving that so many people talk about during the holidays is really a year round endeavor for us” said Jessica Johnson, Whole Foods Market’s Whole Trade Guarantee Specialist. “As a leading retailer for natural and organic goods, we are constantly inspired to source unique, high quality products that meet our criterion for social responsibility, which is why we created the Whole Trade Guarantee. This eco-label, which many of our gift selections bear, means that products meet our strict criteria for ethical trade, eco-friendly farming and quality.”
Whole Foods Market re-defines traditional gifts that give with an assortment of unique, earth friendly holiday items that enable customers to give in many meaningful ways. All of these holiday products, which sell for less than $5, $10 and $20, are available while supplies last in Whole Foods Market stores nationwide.
GIFTS FOR THE PLANET
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Bee Natural Honeypot Mini Luminary.
These hand-carved candle holders are made from aromatic beeswax. Each one features a snowflake pattern and is signed by the artist from Athens, Georgia. A portion of proceeds supports marine mammal research.
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Hugo Naturals French Lavender & Pink Grapefruit Lotion and Hand Soap Set,
exclusive to Whole Foods Market.
A chef-developed banquet for the skin, hand crafted with the most beneficial ingredients. A portion of proceeds goes to Earth Share, a federation of environmental groups.
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miYim Organic Charlie Bear
, exclusive to Whole Foods Market. This huggable toy is made from organic cotton and colored with dyes from plants and minerals.
GIFTS FOR THE BODY
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Alaffia Body Care Gift Set,
exclusive to Whole Foods Market. These body care products from Togo, West Africa are made from unrefined shea butter and other premium ingredients, and ten percent of sales goes back to community projects, such as a free health care clinic and education initiatives.
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Nature’s Gate Pineapple Body Lotion & Body Wash Gift set,
exclusive to Whole Foods Market. A portion of sales of this luscious gift benefit WaterAid, a nonprofit working to overcome poverty by enabling the world's poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education, because pineapples – containing skin-nutritive antioxidants – are often from countries with limited access to clean water.
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Whole Foods Market Bali Foot Kit,
exclusive to Whole Foods Market. Making feet pretty never felt so good! Includes soap, a pumice stone and a nail brush, handmade in Bali by artisans guaranteed equitable wages, healthcare and profit sharing.
GIFTS FOR THE TASTEBUDS
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Divine Chocolate After Dinner Mints
. Luscious, high quality chocolate combined with traditional Adinkra symbol decoration from Ghana make these festive treats extra special. A Whole Trade Guarantee product, these mints are made with the finest responsibly traded cocoa butter, guaranteeing you a tasty treat and cocoa farmers an equitable deal.
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Allegro Coffee Company® Celebration Caffè,
exclusive to Whole Foods Market. This limited edition blend is a medium roast that uses three wonderfully distinguished coffees from the origins of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Guatemala and has hints of ginger, dried citrus, red fruits and bittersweet chocolate. Allegro is committed to socially responsible product sourcing and offsets 100 percent of its electricity with wind energy credits.
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Theo Chocolate Jane Goodall Institute Organic Chocolate Bars,
exclusive to Whole Foods Market. A delicious partnership that improves the livelihood of cocoa farmers and donates a portion of sales to the Jane Goodall Institute.
GIFTS THAT KEEP GIVING
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Aura Cacia Orange Pomander Aromatherapy Diffuser and Potpourri.
This earth-friendly gift set smells fantastic, delivers true therapeutic benefits and is packaged responsibly.
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Earth Divas Handmade Felted Wool Holiday Ornaments
, exclusive to Whole Foods Market. These Fair Trade ornaments are handmade of felted wool by small women-owned Nepalese businesses and cooperatives.
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Calla Lilies, Gerbera Daisies, Alstromeria, and Roses.
Beautify your holidays with these Whole Trade Guarantee fresh, feel good stems and sprays.
Look for the Holiday Gift Guide available at Whole Foods Market stores and locate the many gifts, which are identified with a small green heart. For high resolution photos of these and more gifts, visit {{{{{ GALLERY }}}}}
