Whole Planet Foundation

The mission of Whole Planet Foundation is to create economic partnerships through microcredit with the poor in communities that supply Whole Foods Market stores with products, with a focus on the developing world.

Learn more about the Whole Planet Foundation at www.wholeplanetfoundation.org.

DISPATCHES FROM THE FIELD

On this leg of his trip through South America, Steve explores Paraguay and opportunities for building a microcredit program in the country where Whole Foods Market sources its organic sugar cane. Steve experiences the hospitality of folks who remember Phillip Sansone, Executive Director of the Whole Planet Foundation, from his days as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay over 30 years ago.

Team Member Volunteer Program: Peña Blanca

Peña Blanca is an impoverished, rural community in the Lake Attitlan region of Guatemala where Whole Foods Market sources coffee. In 2006, Whole Planet Foundation and Grameen Trust initiated a microlending project in the region with a grant of $1,369,506. Since then, Banrural Grameen Guatemala is supporting over 10,300 women with microloans for them to create home-based businesses and lift themselves out of poverty.

Whole Foods Market Team Members have visited the Lake Atitlan region to witness the transformative power of microcredit, learn about coffee fincas, and provide community service through our Volunteer Program, such as teaching school and building carbon efficient stoves for families.

Support the small village of Peña Blanca

Our goal is to raise $51,880 to support their elementary school, meals and carbon-efficient stove program. $5,174 has been raised so far. Choose how you want to make a difference by following these links to donate online:

Team member spotlight

Mark Staley

"I am absolutely inspired by Whole Planet Foundation. It’s incredibly wonderful that our company gives team members the opportunity to be directly involved in a program the reveals the heart of Whole Foods Market and speaks for the integrity and strength of our humanity. The foundation awakens my compassion and renews my faith in a democracy that creates joy and hope for others as well as ourselves. And it’s so easy to be involved!

My work last summer with the kids in Peña Blanca on the Team Member Volunteer Program was an incredibly rewarding experience. I went there to teach the kids, but I was really the student, a student of humanity and I learned a lot from them. So much so that I’ve been inspired to create similar programs for our kids in the Pittsburgh community."

Meet more of our team members

Empower the Poor Through Microcredit

Give with confidence that 100% of your contribution goes to microlending programs. Whole Foods Market covers all operating costs for Whole Planet Foundation, as audited by Maxwell Locke & Ritter LLP.

Donate to Whole Planet Foundation