Local Loan Recipients: Mid-Atlantic

Whole Foods Market's Mid-Atlantic Region includes Kentucky, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Washington, D.C, and Marlton and Princeton, New Jersey.

Biggs & Featherbelle

Baltimore, Maryland

Kelly and Kasey Evick started Biggs & Featherbelle after the all-natural soaps the sisters made as Christmas gifts received such a great response that they thought maybe they should start a business! Kelly and Kasey have degrees in fashion and graphic design, respectively, and their design skills have helped create the unique style that all their products have. Current products include soap, lip balm, bath soaks, body butter bars, belly balm, and gift boxes.

The Evick sisters are using their Local Producer Loan to purchase a variety of equipment which will help them build out their new facility, leading to significant growth.

Mills Rest Ranch

Mt. Gilead, Ohio

William and Vanessa Mills have been raising livestock in Mt. Gilead for ten years. They are part-time farmers and take pride in handling their cattle and poultry with respect and care. Mills Rest Ranch was the first livestock producer to receive a Local Producer Loan.

This loan funded the construction of a new poultry barn for Mills Rest's heritage turkeys, which are in great demand at holiday time. The purchase of an automatic waterer and feeder, a feed storage bin, and poultry netting, among other items, allowed a significant expansion in production. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with this established Whole Foods supplier.

Organic Mechanics Soil Company

West Chester, Pennsylvania

The Organic Mechanics Soil Company, founded in 2006, sells a line of organic, peat-free potting soil and worm castings. Company president Mark Highland, who has both a BS and an MS in Horticulture, spent seven years developing this high-quality product!

Organic Mechanics will be using the loan to purchase a truck and a pallet wrapping machine, both of which will help them deliver their product to our stores.

Moorenko's Ice Cream

McLean, Virginia

Susan Soorenko started Moorenko's Ice Cream Café, an ice cream shop in McLean, Virginia, in 2002. She added a second branch in Silver Spring, Maryland, in 2005. Susan has been selling Moorenko's ice cream pints to Whole Foods Market since June 2007 and is quickly increasing the number of stores where her product is available.

Moorenko's ice cream is ultra-premium and made by hand. The milk used is from farmers who pledge not to use rBGH, and they use no chemical emulsifiers or stabilizers. They also feature unusual flavors, such as honey lavender, red hot chocolate (with chili flakes), crème fraiche, fresh ginger, and rice pudding. With a custard base and high cream content, Moorenko's is richer and more intensely flavored than your standard ice cream. And as Susan says, "Ice cream — it's cheaper than therapy!"

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