Whole Story

Did you know that Whole Foods Market® has funded $8 million in low-interest loans for small, local producers through our Local Producer Loan Program? Since 2007, this money has helped 130 farmers, ranchers and food artisans grow their businesses and bring hundreds of unique, high-quality products into our stores for our customers to enjoy.

To celebrate this milestone, we're giving away a basket full of goodies made by some of our Local Producer Loan recipients!  Just enter a comment below by February 20 telling us which local producers or products you love and why and you’ll have a chance to win! UPDATE: Thanks to everyone that entered. Congratulations to our randomly chosen winner, Rachael W.!

Thank you to these vendors, for so generously donating their products:

Edie Johnston and her son, Geo of Dresden, Maine – Maine’s Medicinals’ AnthoImmune Organic Elderberry Syrup is a supplement for overall immune system support.

Michele Thornett of Timonium, Maryland - Michele’s Granola is handmade in small batches. Read more about Michele and her granola in this Whole Story blog post from 2011.

Daniel Sullivan of Long Island City, New York – TumericALIVE elixirs feature raw, organic turmeric root and supports healthy joints and metabolism.

David Rukin of West Palm Beach, Florida – Beekeeper David’s been raising bees since 1975 and his Buzzn Bee Farm was our first ever LPLP recipient. Check out this video of David and learn how he got his honey in to Whole Foods Market.

Danielle LiVolsi of San Diego, California – Nuttzo’s organic multi-nut and seed butters are a high source of ALA Omega-3s. Try the original, chocolate or no peanuts varieties.

The women of Magdalene in Nashville, Tennessee – Thistle Farms hand-made, natural bath products are produced and sold by women who have survived lives of prostitution and addiction. Learn more about Magdalene in this Whole Story profile from 2011.

Farmer Gene Mealhow of Shellsburg, Iowa – Tiny But Mighty popcorn – a rare, heirloom popcorn variety native to prehistoric America. Their Non-GMO Project Verified popcorn kernels are smaller and denser so they’re packed with flavor. Plus the hull disintegrates when popped making them really enjoyable to eat. Learn more about Tiny But Mighty in this Whole Story blog post.

Adam Grossman of Austin, Texas – The Seaweed Bath Company’s soothing powder baths contain responsibly harvested bladderwrack seaweed and soothes dry and irritated skin.

Julie Nirvelli of Boulder, Colorado – White Girl Salsa has been cooking up zesty salsas for her friends and family for years.

Tami and Clark Bowen of Hansville, Washington  - CB’s Nuts utilizes a custom-made barrel roaster to  micro-roast high-quality peanuts and pistachios. They also make fresh ground peanut butter!

Eileen Hassi of San Francisco, California – Ritual Coffee Roasters has been a pioneer of the San Francisco coffee scene since 2005. Focused on sourcing directly from their farmer partners, Ritual’s coffee beans are of the highest quality and can be traced directly back to the farmers who harvested them.

In the comments below, tell us about a local producer or local product you love. Post your comment by February 20 and we’ll pick a winner at random to receive a unique bunch of local products.

The fine print: No purchase necessary. Promotion ends February 20, 2013, 11:59 PM CDT. Must be a legal resident of the US or Canada (except in Quebec, where it is void) age 18 or older to participate. Taxes on prize, if applicable, are the responsibility of the winner. Employees of Whole Foods Market, Inc., are not eligible. Void where prohibited.