Portland. (Sept 23, 2008) —Whole Foods Market, the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, is proud to be partnering with Portland Public Schools (PPS) and Ecotrust to bring Oregon grown fruits and vegetables to school children all around the city.
Whole Foods Market will be a retail partner for the ‘Harvest of the Month’ program for the 2008/2009 school year. This program will feature an Oregon grown product on each school lunch menu on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. The goal is to reinforce positive messages about healthy eating habits, promote increased awareness of local agriculture, and help reinforce lessons about where food comes from.
“At Whole Foods Market we care about our communities and our environment and this partnership marries these two core values perfectly,” said Vicki Foley, PR Specialist for Whole Foods Market. “Our relationships with local farmers are hugely important to us and what better way to support them and educate children on the benefits of eating locally and healthily.”
“Retail partners like Whole Foods Market are crucial to the success of the program. We want kids and parents to be reminded to make healthy eating choices everywhere they go. Whole Foods Markets’ support extends the Harvest of the Month program into the community in a very important way,” says Deborah Kane, vice president Food & Farms, Ecotrust.
This year the line-up includes tasty local produce including cucumbers, sweet corn on the cob, parsnips, cabbage, potatoes, pears, and radishes. Asparagus is back by popular demand as a featured Harvest in May 2009. In March, students will taste Oregon berries that have been frozen at the peak of ripeness so that they can be enjoyed year round.
In addition, once a month this school year, Portland Public Schools will serve a meal that is made entirely from local products from Oregon, Washington, and Northern California.
#
About Whole Foods Market®
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com) is the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket and America’s first national certified organic grocer. In fiscal year 2007, the company had sales of $6.6 billion and currently has more than 270 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Whole Foods Market motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures the company’s mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Whole Foods Market, Fresh & WildTM, and Harry’s Farmers Market® are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP. Wild Oats® and Capers Community MarketTM are trademarks owned by Wild Marks, Inc. Whole Foods Market employs more than 53,000 Team Members and has been ranked for 11 consecutive years as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine.
