Whole Story

The Official Whole Foods Market® Blog

Win Your Valentine a Gift that Gives Back

By Liz Burkhart, February 1, 2011  |  Meet the Blogger  |  More Posts by Liz Burkhart
Celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving gifts that give back, helping spread that V-Day love around the world. Through fair prices, direct trade, community development and environmental stewardship, gifts of Whole Trade and Fair Trade treats add a new meaning to the old saying: “it’s the thought that counts.” Yes, it’s the thought…the thought that every purchase supports the workers and communities that produce the item you’re buying. From flowers and chocolates to wines and unique snacks, you can find a bundle of treats for your valentine. And to spread a little love around ourselves, we’re giving away five gift baskets full of socially responsible goodies. Why? Because it feels good to give gifts that give back! We’re giving away five baskets filled with Whole Trade and Fair Trade treats – from milk chocolate hearts and chocolate dipped bananas to cinnamon sugar drizzled popcorn and dark chocolate granola. Just enter a comment below by February 10th telling us what makes your Valentine special. Whether it’s your sweetie or your grandma, we want to hear it all! We’ll choose five comments at random to receive a Valentine gift basket. And one of the lucky winners will also receive a $150 Whole Foods Market gift card to use to purchase a few bouquets of our beautiful Whole Trade roses, Fair Trade wines or ingredients for a home-cooked dinner for two. Here's the list of goodies you can look forward to in this basket of love. Even if you don’t win a basket from us, you can surprise your valentine with a sweet and meaningful treat! 365 Everyday Value Organic Swiss Milk and Dark Chocolate Bars - Every bite is not only creamy and smooth–but responsible, too. All of our chocolate bars carry the Whole Trade™ Guarantee that ensures more money to the producers, better wages for workers and sustainable farming in the Dominican Republic where the beans are grown. Divine Chocolate Milk Chocolate Hearts and Bars - Divine’s cocoa beans are carefully fermented and dried by the farmers who co-own the company. When consumers purchase Divine Chocolate products for their loved ones, they're doing a good thing for the farmers in Ghana by ensuring that they receive a Fair Trade price for their cocoa beans. Theo Organic Chocolate Bars in three classic flavors - Orange Dark Chocolate, Cherry & Almond Dark Chocolate and Chile Spice - with outstanding taste and ethically, sustainably production practices. Kopali Organic Dark Chocolate Bananas - perfectly sweet and rich, irresistibly luscious, and 100% organic.  And if that were not enough, with your purchase you join Kopali in directly supporting sustainable farmers and Fair Trade. Popcorn Indiana Whole Trade Cinnamon Sugar Drizzled Kettlecorn – sinfully smooth white chocolate drizzled, all-natural, hand-crafted, taste-bud rocking Cinnamon Kettle corn developed in partnership with Whole Foods Market using organic sweeteners, flavors and spices. Nature's Path's Organic Love Cruncha delicious dark chocolate granola developed exclusively with Whole Foods Market. Best part?  For every box sold, Nature's Path will donate $1 to Whole Planet Foundation to help women lift themselves out of poverty. Remember, tell us about your Valentine by February 10th!

 

1,764 Comments

Comments

Tara says ...
My hubby took me to a fancy restaurant on our first v-day together and choked down all kinds of raw shellfish just to impress me (he hates oysters, clams...). when I found out how miserable he'd been through dinner, and how hungry he still was I made him a frozen pizza at home and he couldn't have been happier. He continues to go outside of his comfort area to indulge my culinary curiosity, and I love him for it.
02/10/2011 5:25:37 AM CST
Sibyl Chantelois says ...
I have 3 kids,1 girl 2 boy's and 4 grandkids. My Valentine's are my daughter in laws (Brenda and Carrie) because they picked up where I left off. They have helped my son's be the caring,loving,giving adults I wanted and they also got stuck with the mother-in-law from hell!! Brenda (who lives in Texas)comes to Michigan once a year and we have got to go Whole Foods in Ann Arbor. We start smilling when we see the door and then laugh because we spend hours looking at every carrot,can good,and whatever but for the girls in my family going to your store is our bonding time. My daughter and I are lucky because we live close and can go when ever we feel the need to have our time together.The men in the family don't get the Whole food thing,but they don't have a problem eating the food. I do have to tell you every Christmas when my daughter and I go shopping at the last day before Chistmas because she's never done with her shopping. We start at your store first so we can relax and think,the problem with that is we spend to many hours there and the Chirstmas buget gone,well I'm sorry but this year she was way behind her shopping and I had to ground her(39 years old). I wouldn't let her do Whole Foods thing at Chistmas!!! So that is one of the reasons my daughter in laws are my Valentines. They have put up me,raise my grandkids,take my sons off my hands, and they only get to reap the rewards of going to Whole Foods with me. We think your store is better than going to a spa or a therapist amazing......
02/10/2011 6:26:12 AM CST
JILL ANTHON says ...
LIFE IS GOOD IN LOVE..
02/10/2011 6:56:10 AM CST
Jason says ...
My special Valentine is my 5 year old daughter. The reason is I have never really been able to afford much in the way of "gifts" to give her since her mom and I divorced a few years ago. She know's I LOVE her and will always be there for her though. I enjoy taking her shopping at Whole Foods and she gets a thrill shopping with Dad. I have my daughter every other weekend and one of our special things to do is go to Whole Foods Saturday mornings when she is with me. It would be a huge thrill to win something like this for her. It would make her year!!! Thanks
02/10/2011 7:23:58 AM CST
Rita C. says ...
My boyfriend of 4 years is my Valentine - he has always been there for me, through my failures, my successes, and my obstacles. He's trekked through snow to help me find lost earrings, run across town to deliver something for me, and so much more - never complaining once. I am very thankful for him. Happy Valentine's Day!
02/10/2011 7:39:27 AM CST
Flamingogurl says ...
My Valentine is my husband of 25 years. He's the biggest sweetie anyone could ask for :-)
02/10/2011 9:59:46 AM CST
Anna Rappoport says ...
My boyfriend is my Valentine, and deserves the best during this holiday. It's only February, but this has been a year of trouble for my family. He has been there for me, every hour of every day, supporting me and helping everyone in my family. I know he loves me unconditionally because he puts me first, and for that, I am forever grateful.
02/10/2011 10:27:28 AM CST
Jensine Johnson says ...
My Valentine's this year are my husband and sweet new baby girl! My husband waits on us hand and foot since baby girl is exclusively breast fed. It takes a lot of time and energy for me so we couldn't do it without his help! Also, this time last year we found out we were pregnant with her. We'll never forget it! Ever since then we've been wanting to eat healthier and I think I've found the place to do it!
02/10/2011 11:32:44 AM CST
Michelle Beck says ...
My husband is the most brilliant man I have ever met. He is a physicist who works diligently with radiation attempting to rid people of Cancer. I've loved him for 10 years, we have 2 beautiful children we both love and adore. He deserves this gift because he is just as special!
02/10/2011 12:43:57 PM CST
William McAdoo says ...
My little Valentine this year is my new neice, Katherine Elizabeth, who was born on her Great Grandmother's birthday, February 12. It's a miracle that she was born into this world and we celebrate that miracle every day. We love you, Kate.
02/10/2011 12:46:55 PM CST
Anna says ...
My valentine is my soul mate. Someone who understands me. Someone who knows exactly what to say and do. Can not wait to be with my mate again.
02/10/2011 2:18:20 PM CST
Mel S says ...
My husband. He does so much for me right now!
02/10/2011 2:27:58 PM CST
Buffy McBryar says ...
My Valentine is my husband and my son and daughter. Valentines Day for us is not a day just for mom and dad but a day for all four of us to celebrate love for one another. We celebrate with a nice dinner at home with each other. What a wonderful day.
02/10/2011 2:58:19 PM CST
Judy E. says ...
My valentine is my hub. Without him, I would not be the person I am today. He's always striving to be a better person and reminds me to stop and smell the roses along the way. :)
02/10/2011 3:14:25 PM CST
Deb Subotnik says ...
I actually have 3 Valentines. My wonderful, supportive hubby, Chris. My 3 1/2 year old daughter Lauren and her 15 month old sister Caitlin. I'm one lucky lady!!!
02/10/2011 3:36:20 PM CST
Suzanne says ...
Unfortunately my valentine and I are apart for this Valentine's Day as he's working out of the country. But I love how he does little things even from the distance to make sure our relationship is still full and loving. He even agrees once a week to make some of my very healthy recipes so that we have something to do together even though we're apart. He is just a very special man that makes sure that those he cares about know it every day. =)
02/10/2011 3:48:24 PM CST
Danny Wing says ...
My Valentine is as special as they come. Before her I only saw shades of gray, their was piece of me missing. She brought color to my world and my life whole. In everything she does she shows me that she not only cares about me, but that she LOVES me! I would LOVE to win this basket for my WIFE who is my everthing. Thank You for the chance.
02/10/2011 4:19:18 PM CST
Anna Reeves says ...
Dear Whole Foods Market team: Thank you for the opportunity to share my Valentine with you. I am talking about my daughter, a very special girl who make my life worthy and keeps me afloat. She makes me very proud that even though I was not a perfect mother to her, she was able to reach for the stars and get there, and she never waivered on her journey, having always been passionate and caring human being. By the way she loives very close to your store, and shops there for just about everything. Every time I visit her in CA she takes me there and we have a lot of fun picking food and flowers: it's always fresh, and beautiful. I hope, she has a wonderful Valentive Day, and so will you, guys!
02/10/2011 4:50:21 PM CST
toni smith says ...
My mother is my Valentine she is a BreastCancer Survivor and she is a very special person during her chemo and radiation she would go out and speak to other ladies regarding breast cancer and how they can beat this disease my mother is a role model for me and other young ladies letting us know that nothing is to hard in life to overcome
02/10/2011 4:55:41 PM CST
toni smith says ...
My mother is my Valentine she is a BreastCancer Survivor and she is a very special person during her chemo and radiation she would go out and speak to other ladies regarding breast cancer and how they can beat this disease my mother is a role model for me and other young ladies letting us know that nothing is to hard in life to overcome.
02/10/2011 4:56:44 PM CST
JLS says ...
My family - They love me unconditionally everyday!
02/10/2011 6:22:39 PM CST
Ericka says ...
This is our last valentines engaged! yay!!! that means its his last time to do a great valentines for me before i ask him "how much did you spend on that?" and annoy the heck out of him for always ruining it haha
02/10/2011 8:16:42 PM CST
Mandie says ...
Ohana means family, and family means no body gets left behind or forgotten. On Valentines Day my goal is to make sure MY ohana isn't forgotten. The Valentines in my life are my mother and grandmother. On October 23, 1996 my mother’s life long partner in crime passed away to cancer a week after my brother’s 14th birthday. My father was only 47 years old when he passed away from stage 4 Lung cancer that had rapidly developed. He went through one treatment of Chemo and Radiation, when they realized it would harm him more then anything. Within 6 weeks of diagnoses from around Mid-August my father passed away. Every year I know how special Valentine’s Day is to everyone and the two most important influential people in my life happen to be my mother and grandmother. Since my father’s passing when I was 11 I’ve taken the time to make my mother and grandmother a four – six course meal and I’m about to be 25 years old. I don’t date, because Valentine’s Day they’re my dates. I set the table with flowers, candles, and then music and food. Life is hard with a widowed parent, a grandmother whose rapidly dying because these horrible illnesses are taking the once strong person I knew. I always start with appetizers, a salad, or soup of some kind depending on the weather, main course, side dishes and desserts. This year will be the 14th Valentine’s Day my mother hasn’t been able to spend with her husband. It is my goal on this holiday to try and fill a void she is filling, though I know I can’t do that. With your help I can give my mother a lavish Valentine’s Day dinner, one she and my grandmother whose 84 almost 85 years old. She was born on March 7, 1926. I don’t know how much longer she will be alive, but I do know this will one they remember because I was able to pay for it all myself. My grandmother has Dementia, Parkins Disease and Alzheimers and so life in my house is chaotic.. I’m trying my hardest to be able to put together a special holiday for the two people who I love the most in this world and with your help I can achieve my goals to be able to afford a nice meal for them. I understand that if my grandmother won’t remember it, it’s something my mother and I would remember for a life time. This would be one present I’d be able to give without having to ask for money this year. Please help me give the two most influential people in my life a special day of rest, relaxation, food, and love!
02/10/2011 11:00:33 PM CST
Jessica says ...
My sweetie is my husband, Marc. He's the person who showed me how to 'enjoy the process' of things in life. He's also a loving father of our two small sons.
02/10/2011 11:10:27 PM CST
Sara Eikmeier says ...
My sweetie is generous, kind, a hard worker and the best back scratcher!!! He takes excellent care of our family allowing me the honor of being a stay at home mom to our AMAZING 3 children. I am grateful everyday for God placing us in the right time and place 8 years ago, it's been a blessing ever since....
02/10/2011 11:38:00 PM CST

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