LOS ANGELES (July 1, 2015) – Whole Foods Market’s recently opened store at Runway in Playa Vista, 12746 West Jefferson Blvd., has partnered with nonprofit OurFoods and six area schools to support urban farming education among local students and educators through garden grants, aquaponics and hydroponics.
On July 8, OurFoods, dedicated to urban agriculture education, will receive 5 percent of the store’s net sales for that day. There will be an aquaponic display in store, and representatives from the organization will be available to share information. Shoppers can learn about the innovative work OurFoods is doing in the community and raise funds all day just by grocery shopping.
Prior to opening on June 17, Whole Foods Market Playa Vista awarded $2,000 Whole Kids Foundation grants to Frank D. Parent Elementary School, La Tijera K-8 Academy of Excellence Charter School, Morningside High School of Inglewood Unified School District, WISH Charter Elementary School, Open Magnet Charter School and Crenshaw High School from Los Angeles Unified School District.
“Inglewood students will benefit greatly from this support, and we look forward to building the three vegetable gardens at Morningside High, La Tijera K-8, and Frank D. Parent Elementary School, ” said Dr. D’Artagnan Scorza, Inglewood Unified School District board member.
Funds from Whole Food Market will provide supplies for Open Magnet Charter ES’ Learning Garden.
“The garden is an integral part of our curriculum, as students connect with what they are learning in science inside the classroom to what they are experiencing outside in the learning garden in a very real and meaningful way. We teach our students how to be responsible as a member of a larger community and to respect the relationship that humans have with Earth,” said Peggy Lew, Magnet coordinator, Open Magnet Charter ES. “This generous grant will help our ecology teachers design innovative lessons that include composting, tending to our rabbits, turtles, chickens, and fish, and sampling the delicious produce like kale, figs, pomegranates, grapes and fennel.”
At Crenshaw High School, the funds will support the food science and technology college and career pathway at the school’s botanical vegetable garden.
“The Mother of Many farmers market collaboration with Whole Foods Market will support our efforts to educate teachers, parents and the surrounding South Los Angeles community, a notorious food desert, about organic gardening and wholesome eating from seed to stomach,” said Daphne Bradford, president and founder of Mother of Many at Crenshaw High School. “We’re very excited.”
These initiatives are part of Whole Foods Market’s core values and commitment to serving and supporting local and global communities. Funds raised on July 8 will support OurFoods initiatives and such as its 'farms in schools’ program.
Store Contact Information
Johnny Saadeh, store team leader, Johnny.Saadeh@wholefoods.com
Katina Stallworth, marketing team leader, Katina.Stallworth@wholefoods.com
Twitter: @wfmlosangeles
Instagram: @wfmplayavista
Facebook: facebook.com/wfmplayavista
