Los Angeles (May 9, 2023) – Jason Buechel, Whole Foods Market CEO, recently participated in two panels at the Milken Institute Global Conference 2024, fostering discussions on the evolving food retail landscape and the future of work.
The Milken Institute Global Conference is a premier gathering of global leaders from business, finance, government, and philanthropy. This year’s conference focused on the critical issues facing the world today, including climate change, economic growth, and technological innovation.
Buechel participated in “The Future of Food Retail” panel alongside Nancy Dalton, Amazon Access External Affairs, Marketing and Social Impact at Amazon, Rodney McMullen, Chairman and CEO of The Kroger Co. and Leslie Sarasin, President and CEO of The Food Industry Association. He highlighted Whole Foods Market’s goal to have 30 stores a year in the pipeline including new formats like Daily Shop, along with other topics such as sustainable food systems and expanding quality standards.
“We feel responsibility as a company to take a look at how we can find ways to protect our environment and support our food systems for future generations,” Buechel shared. “Whole Foods started with climate friendly agriculture; organics have been a part of the company from the beginning. We are pushing other levers like regenerative and continue to lead the number of items that we are carrying in this space and bringing the first exclusive brand of products in this area as well.”
Additionally, Buechel joined industry leaders including Debbie Dyson, CEO of OneTen, Lisa Gevelber, Founder and Head of Grow with Google and Igor Tulchinsky, Chairman and CEO of WorldQuant for a conversation titled “Visions for the Future: Leaders Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce.” The panel explored critical issues facing today’s workforce, including digital transformation, talent development strategies, and adapting to the changing nature of work.
“For us our team members are the life blood, they are the secret sauce of Whole Foods Market,” said Buechel. “If we put the right focus on making sure we can develop our Team Members to ensure they have the skills and experiences to best serve our customers we help can create win-win outcomes. This is providing our Team Members in developing skills they can have for life.”
About Whole Foods Market
Founded in 1980, Austin-based Whole Foods Market is the world’s leading natural and organic foods retailer and the first certified organic national grocer in the United States. Part of Amazon’s Worldwide Grocery Stores, Whole Foods Market serves customers in more than 530 stores across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. To learn more about Whole Foods Market, please visit https://media.wholefoodsmarket.com/.
Contact: media@wholefoods.com
