Whole Foods Market, the world’s leading natural and organic foods grocer, is looking for new local, Missouri-based products for its newest store in St. Louis’ Central West End neighborhood, opening spring 2016. The Missouri Supplier Summit, hosted by Whole Foods Market Midwest, educates prospective new suppliers around the company’s Quality Standards and process for becoming a supplier.
“We love supporting local farmers, food artisans and producers who share our passion for quality products made from pure, simple ingredients,” says Whole Foods Market Midwest Local Forager, Stefanie Garcia. “The Missouri Supplier Summit is a great opportunity to meet with potential suppliers and find the unique flavors that make Missouri special.”
For a business to be considered local and attend this summit, the products should be grown, manufactured and packaged in the state of Missouri. During the summit, interested suppliers will learn about Whole Foods Market’s Quality Standards and supplier process, and then meet individual with buyers to discuss their products in more detail.
The Missouri Supplier Summit takes place Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Maryville University Auditorium, 650 Maryville University Dr., St. Louis. Advanced registration is required for those interested. To secure a spot, send the participants’ name, company name, brief product description, and contact email and phone number to MW.Local.Supplier.Submissions@WholeFoods.com by Friday, Oct. 16.
Currently, anywhere from 10-30 percent of the products on Whole Foods Market shelves come from local producers. Several suppliers, such as St. Louis-based Billy Goat Chips, have grown from a single store to other stores in the region.
Since 1980, Whole Foods Market has led the grocery industry with its Quality Standards. These high standards for quality and transparency offers shoppers access to delicious, pure foods; minimally-processed body care products and environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
