“I thought I would work on the farm once or twice a month. But once I started, I knew I had to work more and ended up working once or twice a week. I am happy with the outcome and satisfaction I get at seeing how much work I did. This experience has been hard work but is very rewarding.”

“We want to get involved in the type of positive, beneficial change that food access ignites. A whole network of relationships emerges around food access: individuals are more likely to make healthy food choices for themselves and their families; farmers have more options to market their local products; a larger percent of money spent on food remains in the local economy; and the transporting the food from the farm to individuals is less taxing on the environment. These relationships become the foundation for healthier bodies, healthier minds, healthier communities and a healthier planet.”

“Volunteering adds such a level of commitment and engagement that it can make working at Whole Foods Market more rewarding for our Team Members. My success at my prior store with our Community First Grant partner brought so many of us together. We have deeper relationships and commitments to one another, our community and Whole Foods Market.”

“Serving our community healthy food is at the heart of what we do on a day-to-day basis. Access to healthy foods means access to a healthy mind, body and spirit. Not all people have the means or education to provide this for themselves. Supporting a local organization with the goal of expanding healthy food access seems like a great way to bring what we do every day in the store to our community. It will provide Team Members who participate with a fulfilling, hands-on, local experience that aligns with our Core Values.”

“Expanding fresh, healthy food access empowers all communities to heal, grow and prosper. In my journey to find community partners whose mission align with Whole Cities Foundation’s, I was blessed to come across amazing ‘food heroes’—mainly women—determined to fight food injustice and change the despairing outlook of their community for the better. In their vision to create a healthier and stronger community, they nurture and guide with the knowledge and experience to grow and harvest fresh healthy organic food in nearby community gardens and urban farms."

"The opportunity to grant $8,000 to a local organization that's making a difference and also satisfy my own desire to volunteer encouraged me to go for it. And I fully committed."

"Super inspirational on a number of levels, from personal to professional. This was both a morale booster and course corrector for sure."

“If you can help kids understand where food comes from, and how it affects their person, then you spark their curiosity.”

“At Michele's Granola, we believe that everyone deserves good food and that business can be a powerful source for positive social change.”