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Our web team developed this cool map of our local growers and vendors and we couldn’t wait to share it with you. Now remember: this is a work in progress! Local partnerships are added all the time and some of our regions and stores aren’t represented yet. Honestly, I thought about not putting this on the blog because I know that some really great growers aren’t on here yet. But, I thought the coolness of being able to learn about the vendors who are represented outweighed waiting until more partners are added. So, check out our interactive local growers map.
Supporting local farmers puts a “face” behind our foods and keeps us connected to the seasons, as well as the unique flavor and diversity of local crops. Local farms are a valuable component of a community’s character, helping to maintain agricultural heritage, preserve land use diversity and moderate development. Many local farmers choose to diversify, growing a variety of crops instead of just one. This is a boon for biodiversity and your palate, since local crops are harvested at their peak of freshness and flavor. And most of the money spent on local production stays in the community, “greening up” the local economy.
We know that we all win if we support our local farmers and producers. That’s why Whole Foods Market created our Local Producer Loan Program (LPLP) to provide up to $10 million in low-interest loans to small, local producers. We want to make it easier for them to grow their businesses and bring more local products to market. Loans range from $1,000 to $100,000 and can be for things like purchasing more animals, investing in new equipment or converting to organic production. We minimize the fees, interest rates and paperwork that can often get in the way of a small local farm or business taking the next step to expand its operations. You’ll see LPLP on the map to signify partners who received loan assistance from this program.
So, check out the map and let us know what you think!
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I’m wondering how updated this map is. Moorenko’s hasn’t been in McLean for at least a year if not more. It was replaced by a health food café though haha.
June 3rd, 2010 at 7:25 am
[...] which looks to be a customized Google Maps overlay, is said to be a work in progress. Its focus, according to a Whole Foods blogger, is to show to viewers on a very local level the relationship between the grocery company and its [...]
June 3rd, 2010 at 3:12 pm
[...] Described as a “work in progress,” this shiny new toy looks pretty cool. Not only does it give you a sense of where your dinner comes from in a slick Google-ish mappy thing, but there are tons of slideshow interviews with the various food providers. [...]
June 3rd, 2010 at 10:16 pm
The Bay Area looks surprisingly sparse on this interactive map. At the Napa and Sonoma stores, one can get Sonoma Harvest Spring Rolls (they contain tofu and edible flowers) There are also Primavera brand tamales/tortillas….and the Primavera brand is based out of Glen Ellen. At the Napa store, there are vegan cookies with affirmations made in Napa.
Then again, this would be a crowded map if ALL local producers were shown.
June 4th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Awesome!!! I love it! Great concept, keep it going!
I look forward to seeing this map grow to include many more little local vendors – including my local line, CZ Luxe, that is available in the Whole Body section of Whole Foods in Sugar Land, TX and hopefully soon will be available in other stores in the region as well
Thank you for your support Whole Foods!
June 7th, 2010 at 11:04 am
I don’t see any locations in Hawaii (where I live) and I don’t see any in Alaska (where I’m moving to)…. I was so spoiled living in California with Whole Foods available there but you muse see my distress with Hawaii and Alaska (Kodiak, specifically) please let me know if there will be any plans for those two states.
June 7th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Hi Juliette, We do have stores (and many many many local producers and growers!) in Hawaii. As Paige mentioned in the first paragraph of this post, it’s a work in progress and we promise to feature our many wonderful Hawaiian suppliers on the map as soon as we can.
June 7th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
[...] mapping tools on their websites to explain the geography and story behind their local suppliers. Whole Foods uses different icons for each type of supplier and has a brief story about each one. Hannaford, a [...]
June 10th, 2010 at 10:25 am
I noticed that you omitted any local producers for Ontario Canada, and even forgot the 2 stores!
Also, have there been any ‘Local Producer Loans’ to a Canadian supplier/producer yet? I see you accept applications from Canada, but none were noted on the map or in the Local Loan profiles.
June 11th, 2010 at 3:00 pm