Local Loan Recipients: Southern Pacific

Whole Foods Market's Southern Pacific Region includes Southern California, Arizona, and Nevada.

Alaska's Bakery

Las Vegas, Nevada

Noreen Naidus started Alaska's Bakery in 2007, after having discovered that the organic treats she baked for her dog Alaska were popular with others. She has been selling to Whole Foods Market for a little over a year, and Alaska's Bakery products are currently available throughout our Southern Pacific region.

Alaska's Bakery will be using the Local Producer Loan for marketing, ingredients, and packaging, which will help her expand.

Gage the Heat

Gilbert, AZ

Gage the Heat was started in January 2006 by Marisa and Alan McLaughlin. Named after their son Gage, the company’s salsa has won the Local Salsa Challenge at the Raintree (Scottsdale, AZ) Whole Foods Market the last two years. They have since expanded to six types of salsa, nine rubs, and a marinade/dressing.

Gage the Heat is using the Local Producer Loan to purchase a variety of equipment which will allow them to reduce the cost of production, have faster turn-around, produce new and custom items, and co-pack for other companies.

Laughing Giraffe Organics

Phoenix, Arizona

Laughing Giraffe Organics is an exciting, young company that produces raw, vegan, organic products, including macaroons and granola. After working for different vegan/vegetarian/raw foods chefs, Justin Baumgartner decided to start his own company and sell foods he believed in. He is extremely passionate about his product, as well as about the importance of eating nutrient-rich food created by people who love what they do.

Laughing Giraffe has received two loans under the Local Producer Loan Program. The first loan was used to expand production capacity by relocating to a larger facility and purchasing new processing and cooking equipment. Loan funds also financed building upgrades and possibly organic certification. Justin's hard work combined with the first loan helped him to expand into the entire Southern Pacific region. The second loan helped him to expand his production capacity even further; now his sights are set on expanding distribution to all Whole Foods Markets in the western part of the U.S.! Laughing Giraffe's products are very popular at Whole Foods Market's stores, and this loan will allow them to expand their production and distribution to reach even more customers!

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