In addition to our local community giving program, Whole Foods Market provides leadership and resources to regional and national initiatives that relate to our mission, core values and industry. Through this program, we support larger-scale current and emerging needs in the U.S., Canada and UK. Priorities include food security, food waste and sustainability.
Keep reading to learn more about our community investments and partners.
Nourishing Our Neighborhoods
In August 2020, Whole Foods Market invested in community food security by expanding our sponsorship of food recovery organizations in 18 markets throughout the U.S. and Canada. This commitment funded the purchase of 19 new refrigerated vehicles to help address the common challenges of food transport and redistribution. These vehicles, plus two upcycled Whole Foods Market catering vans, support community-based food redistribution programs, including food runners, food banks, rescue missions and more. These nonprofits recover food from Whole Foods Market and other stores regularly and transport it to local nonprofits, where it is immediately shared with people in need.
How Nourishing Our Neighborhoods Works
1. Pack it up.
Extra produce, meat, prepared foods and more are packed up from Whole Foods Market and surrounding grocers and retailers.
2. Pick it up.
The vans pick up the goods and deliver them directly to food redistribution and food rescue programs.
3. Give it back.
The food arrives at the designated food bank, food redistribution or food rescue center, and is shared with the community.
How Nourishing Our Neighborhoods makes a difference:
20,000 pounds of food per week recovered (per vehicle) from various sources, including Whole Foods Market
21,840,000 pounds of food per year diverted from landfills
182,000,000 meals shared over 10 years
Recipient organizations:
In response to significant food security needs in every community we serve, all Whole Foods Market regions participate in the Nourishing Our Neighborhoods program. Through their demonstrated ability to sustain operation of the vans and a commitment to regular impact reporting, we continue to grow our relationship with food rescue organizations across the U.S. and Canada.
Aloha Harvest – Oahu, HI opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2005
Bowery Mission – New York, NY opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2009
Care for Real – Chicago, IL opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2010
Celestial Manna – Greater Washington, D.C. opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2017
City Harvest – New York, NY opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2001
CityTeam – San Francisco, CA opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2020
Food Finders – Greater Los Angeles, CA opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2009
Food Runners – San Francisco, CA opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2000
Food Stash Foundation – Vancouver, BC opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2016
Forgotten Harvest – Metro Detroit, MI opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2004
Keep Austin Fed – Austin, TX opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2005
Lovin’ Spoonfuls – Boston, MA opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2010
Manna on Main Street – Montgomery County, PA opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2008
Martha’s Kitchen – San Jose, CA opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2019
Miami Rescue Mission – Miami, FL opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2004
OSL – Seattle, WA opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2013
Portland Rescue Mission – Portland, OR opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2010
Second Helpings Atlanta – Atlanta, GA opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2004
Table to Table – Northern NJ opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 1999
The Action Center – Greater Denver Metro, CO opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2002
University District Food Bank – Seattle, WA opens in a new tab
- Collaborating since 2005
If your organization is interested in participating in the Whole Foods Market Grocery Rescue Program, please contact our friends at Food Donation Connection opens in a new tab to learn more.
