Our annual 2011 Whole Planet Foundation Prosperity Campaign runs for two more weeks and we hope you will join us in the home stretch! Thanks to your generosity, $2.97 million has been donated so far!  That’s enough for 16,500 microloans supporting 82,500 people with a chance to lift themselves out of poverty.  It’s easy to donate either in our stores or donate online. You can also spread the word to your social network or start your own campaign.

Our stores and facilities have truly gone above and beyond this year to raise awareness and funds for Whole Planet Foundation. Impactful in-store displays and merchandising, combined with largely attended out-of-store events have helped surpass this year’s Campaign initial fundraising goal. But there’s not need to stop there! Let’s keep going to $3.6 million dollars so we can empower 100,000 people with a better life.

Here’s just a quick look at some of the creative fundraising from our stores. Whole Foods Market’s Park Royal Village Created “Meal Solution” tables based on Whole Planet Foundation borrower-inspired recipes, including Ethiopian-style Chickpea Stew.

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Thanks to Joy Stoddard, Director of Partnership Development and Internal Programs for Whole Planet Foundation, for this post.

As Whole Planet Foundation’s Executive Partnership and Internal Programs Director, I get to work with incredible people who donate their time and money to serve the very poor. Our Annual Prosperity Campaign is being celebrated in Whole Foods Market now, so you may already know about Whole Planet Foundation’s poverty alleviation programs where Whole Foods Market sources products in the developing world.

Through worldwide microfinance partners, Whole Planet Foundation has reached over 130,000 microcredit clients with an opportunity to lift themselves and their families out of poverty, supporting over 650,000 people to live a better life. This empowerment is possible thanks to the generosity of Whole Foods Market, Whole Foods Market shoppers, team members and suppliers. In fact, hundreds of suppliers to Whole Foods Market donate to Whole Planet Foundation and their commitment is critical, especially members of our Supplier Alliance for Microcredit. This alliance of like-minded companies planting seeds of prosperity around the globe includes Allegro Coffee Company, Back to Nature, Cascal, Earth’s Best, Naked Juice, Seventh Generation, Stacy’s, Teas’ Tea and Whole Foods Market. Their 2011 contributions of $450,000 will enable Whole Planet Foundation to empower over 2,000 more entrepreneurs with a microcredit loan and the chance to create or expand a home-based business to support their families.

Why do Supplier Alliance for Microcredit partners donate so much money and promote Whole Planet Foundation? It’s a win-win partnership to make the world a better place. Some of these suppliers support Whole Planet Foundation because they source ingredients from the countries where Whole Planet Foundation is creating prosperity, like Allegro coffee from East Timor, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya, Nicaragua, Rwanda, and Uganda. That coffee is why Whole Planet Foundation is giving back to the people who live there. When you purchase Allegro coffee, you too are creating prosperity.

Claire Sidman explains why Earth’s Best joined the Alliance: “Earth’s Best and the Whole Planet Foundation share the goal of enriching the lives of families everywhere. Just as Earth’s Best enables parents to nurture their children in the purest way possible, Whole Planet Foundation paves the path to a better way of life for people around the globe and we are proud to support their mission and hope to help them realize their vision.”

You can see this commitment when suppliers meet microcredit clients in person. In 2010, I had the pleasure of travelling to Peru with Jill Griffith from Naked Juice, Sreten Gaijic from Cascal and Joe Browne from Seventh Generation to meet clients of Whole Planet Foundation’s partner Pro Mujer. The year before that Seventh Generation’s Sheila Hollender joined me in Costa Rica, along with Jennifer LaFontaine and Steven Polonowski from Naked Juice and Stacy’s, and we got to meet clients of our partner Grameen Trust in Costa Rica, where Whole Foods Market sources bananas and pineapples. Seventh Generation’s Susan Johnson joined Whole Planet Foundation’s Genie Bolduc and me in Kenya in April to meet clients of our partner Jamii Bora Trust.  After their trip, these suppliers are powerful ambassadors, telling everyone they know how we can all empower the 3.8 billion people living on less than $2 a day to live a better life. It’s that kind of commitment that makes this Alliance successful in helping families worldwide.

Finally, Supplier Alliance for Microcredit partners also support Whole Planet Foundation because 100% of their donation makes a difference because Whole Foods Market covers 100% of Whole Planet Foundation’s operating costs. Each and every dollar (and pound sterling!) donated to Whole Planet Foundation goes to microlending programs in the field, and it is repaid and reloaned in rural communities again and again. You can see special displays of these suppliers in Whole Foods Market stores during our Annual Prosperity Campaign that is running now until March 31. It’s our opportunity to say thanks for their generosity and we hope you will join us in supporting these companies that support families all over the world.

As part of our annual Whole Plant Foundation Prosperity Campaign, we want to take the opportunity to introduce you to some of the microcredit clients who have benefited from our work thus far. With support from shoppers, team members, vendors and microfinance institution partners, Whole Planet Foundation has empowered 130,000 clients with microcredit loans in five years, supporting over half a million people in 30 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America with a chance to escape poverty. Please join our 2011 campaign to help give a hand up to 70,000 more.

Norzina, Haiti

Norzina has a business on a back street behind the market, which is on a major transit route in Gonaives, Haiti where Whole Foods Market sources mangoes. Norzina is a microcredit client of Fonkoze, a Whole Planet Foundation partner. She sells charcoal in bulk to businesses, schools and individuals who then sell much smaller amounts at a time to others. Norzina supports her community by feeding the neighborhood children, setting an example of how to be successful and lift oneself out of poverty while helping others.

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To celebrate our ongoing Whole Planet Foundation Prosperity Campaign, we’re sharing some recipes that were inspired by microcredit clients. In addition to expanding your cultural horizons by trying these recipes, you can also participate in helping solve the persistent problem of world poverty and hunger! It’s easy to donate either in our stores or donate online. You can also spread the word to your social network or start your own campaign.

And now to the recipes, along with some comments from readers who have made these dishes!

Coconut Bread

This Honduran staple, known as “pan de coco,” is like a plump dinner roll. It’s delicious served alongside a meal of rice, beans and fried plantains. Or enjoy a roll simply with a cup of coffee in the morning or afternoon. This recipe was inspired by Euceria Bernandez, a baker and Whole Planet Foundation microcredit client.

Reader comment from nicjojen: When I went looking for a coconut bread recipe, I was looking for a bready dinner roll that isn’t too sweet but had a mild coconutty flavor to it. I got what I was looking for with this…a bun that is more like a dinner roll and not a cake. YUM! It is also light and pillowy…what a nice surprise to have a nice texture to go with the great taste. I would definitely make this again and again.

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Today we are launching our 2011 Whole Planet Foundation Prosperity Campaign and we hope you will join us! (Read on for a chance to win a trip to Peru to witness the benefits of microcredit firsthand.) It’s easy to donate either in our stores or donate online. You can also spread the word to your social network or start your own campaign.

Together we can solve the persistent problem of world poverty and hunger! Whole Foods Market has funded over $7 million for Whole Planet Foundation and microlending projects. Shoppers have donated nearly $6 million to Whole Planet Foundation^® in past campaigns. Whole Foods Market Team Members have donated $2 million through our paychecks and suppliers have donated $1.6 million for microcredit. With this support and through valued microfinance institution partners worldwide, Whole Planet Foundation has empowered 130,000 clients with microcredit loans in five years, supporting over half a million people in 30 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America with a chance to escape poverty. Please join our 2011 campaign and give a hand up to 70,000 more people.

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Buy a calendar, change a life! For $2, really. The fourth annual edition of the Whole Planet Foundation calendar is on sale now at Whole Foods Market stores throughout the U.S. You may recall that Whole Planet Foundation funds microcredit in 24 countries where Whole Foods Market sources products, and this year’s calendar features beautiful photographs of inspiring microcredit clients in Turkey, the United States, Indonesia, Ethiopia, India, Thailand, East Timor, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Kenya, Peru, and Guatemala.

In addition to a beautiful calendar for only $2, fantastic vendors have provided over $20 in coupons on your favorite products. Thanks to their support, all proceeds from the sale of these calendars will benefit Whole Planet Foundation microcredit clients. You’ll find coupons for $1 off any Seeds of Change Certified Organic product and $1.50 off Nature’s Path Eco Pac Cereal and $1 off any two Honest Teas. You can see the full list of 20 vendor coupons. Read the rest of this entry »

Words really aren’t sufficient in expressing how honored we are to have such generous customers, team members and vendor partners. During our Whole Planet Foundation Annual Prosperity Campaign, you donated $2,269,818 at the checkout registers and online — exceeding the $1.5 million goal!

Your support will empower more than 12,200 impoverished women and their families, living in communities that supply Whole Foods Market stores with product, to lift themselves out of poverty. Including their families, you are part of providing opportunity for about 61,300 people to change their own lives. Your generosity will enable women entrepreneurs like these to create or expand a home-based business such as a neighborhood store, weaving, sewing, raising chickens, pigs and cows, small-scale agriculture, pottery, artisan goods, prepared foods and others.

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As the Director of Partnership Development and Internal Programs for Whole Planet Foundation, Joy Peterson helps develop strategic partnerships and guides our Team Member Volunteer Program.

Two weeks ago Whole Planet Foundation announced our Changing The World, Together campaign to raise $1.5 million for 40,000 impoverished people living in communities around the globe where Whole Foods Market sources products. We are off to an excellent start with over $750,000 so far. Thank you! Don’t forget you have until March 31st to donate at our stores or online.

One of the heart-warming aspects of the fundraising side of things with Whole Planet Foundation is having the opportunity to partner with like-minded companies who are committed to planting seeds of prosperity around the world. Our Supplier Alliance for Microcredit was created with founding members Allegro Coffee Company, Back to Nature, Balance Bar, Celestial Seasonings, Earth’s Best, Ito En, Naked Juice, New Chapter, Seventh Generation, Stacy’s, Teas’ Tea and, of course, Whole Foods Market. Along with our newest member, Cascal, this alliance has pledged $1.2 million to support our microlending programs. Read the rest of this entry »

Together, we really can change the world. Actually, It’s already happening and with your donation during Whole Planet Foundation’s Annual Prosperity Campaign, we can do even more.

Now through March 31st, please join fellow Whole Foods Market shoppers, team members, Supplier Alliance for Microcredit partners and online donors to help raise $1.5 million for 40,000 impoverished people living in communities around the globe where Whole Foods Market sources products. We run this campaign each year to give back globally and empower the very poor with microcredit loans to create or expand home-based businesses such as weaving, raising chickens and small-scale agriculture, providing an opportunity to lift themselves and their family out of poverty. Read the rest of this entry »

updated 12/28/09

The New Year is fast approaching and you don’t want to get caught with a calendar that is “so last year” still hanging on your wall. Here to help is the third annual edition of the Whole Planet Foundation calendar featuring beautiful photographs of inspiring entrepreneurs from Peru, Bolivia, India, Haiti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Guatemala, Thailand, Nepal, Indonesia, the United States and East Timor.

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill calendar! This one not only helps you keep track of your busy life but also helps you save on your favorite products with over $30 in coupons and ALL PROCEEDS from the sale of these calendars benefit Whole Planet Foundation microcredit clients. All that for $2. Seriously, $2.

Last year, our shoppers purchased $72,000 in calendars and empowered 1,775 poor women and their family members with microloans to create or expand a home-based business and create prosperity. These women live in communities where the products you purchase at Whole Foods Market are sourced. We’re hoping to raise a bit more this year so we can empower 2,000 more women with an opportunity to change their own lives and lift themselves out of poverty.

And if that wasn’t incentive enough, our vendor partners came through with some great coupons to sweeten the deal. $3 off from New Chapter, $3 off Seventh Generation, $2 off GoodBelly, $1 off Ben & Jerry’s, $1 off Nature’s Path, $1 off Muir Glen, $1 off Whole Trade Guarantee Vegan Sugar, just to name a few. You can see the whole coupon list for more incentive.

Pick up your copy (or two or three!) of the Whole Planet Foundation 2010 Calendar in your local U.S. Whole Foods Market store through January. Thanks for your help in making this a happy New Year… in more ways than one.