Through Whole Planet Foundation, suppliers of Whole Foods Market are empowering microentrepreneurs with economic opportunity. Funds donated by these brands create microloans for entrepreneurs living in poverty so they can start or expand a small business, often home-based. With a small loan of under $200, an entrepreneur can start or grow a business of their choice, such as a food stand, sewing business, or a small-scale farm. Profits from their businesses provide these microentrepreneurs, mostly women, the opportunity to lift themselves and their family out of poverty.
Celebrating Poverty is Unnecessary Day since 2005
Every year, we celebrate Poverty Is Unnecessary Day to commemorate the Whole Foods Market Global 5% Day on October 25, 2005, when five percent of shopper purchases raised $525,000 for the seed money to launch Whole Planet Foundation.
Brands that donate $25,000 this year to fund microcredit are recognized as members of Whole Planet Foundation’s Poverty Is Unnecessary Fund. This year’s generous partners are Alaffia, Ben & Jerry’s, Health-Ade, La Colombe, Laird Superfood, Lundberg Family Farms, Pact, SAMBAZON, Schmidt’s, SheaMoisture, Sir Kensington’s, TAZO and The Republic of Tea.
2021 $25,000 Poverty is Unnecessary Fund
Alaffia
Alaffia is a longtime member of Whole Planet Foundation’s $25,000 Poverty is Unnecessary Fund. Alaffia’s Empowerment Projects are its mission in action, funded by the sale of its products, including maternal health care, education, reforestation, and regenerative agriculture. The organization is proudly the second largest employer outside of the Togolese government. Alaffia’s fair trade model ensures that co-op members are provided health insurance, paid time off and a living wage that is four times that of the average income in Togo. Through Whole Planet Foundation, Alaffia reaches additional women entrepreneurs living in poverty with economic opportunity through microloans.
“Alaffia and Whole Planet Foundation share a mutual goal in alleviating poverty and while Alaffia’s mission has been focused on West Africa, Whole Planet Foundation has a global reach. Poverty is a human problem, and we need partners like WPF to help empower the next generation to uplift themselves from poverty. Alaffia is proud to be part of Whole Planet Foundation’s Poverty is Unnecessary Fund- committing $25,000 to fund microloans through the sale of Good Soap in Whole Foods Market stores year-round,” says the Alaffia Team.
From October 1 – December 31, 2021, 1% of the sale of Alaffia’s Good Soap in select Whole Foods Market stores will be donated to fund microloans to empower the world’s poorest entrepreneurs in communities where Whole Foods Market sources products.
Health-Ade
Since 2017, Health-Ade has donated over $62,000 to fund over 720 microloans through Whole Planet Foundation. Their support over the years goes beyond monetary contributions, including volunteering time and products to enhance Whole Planet Foundation fundraising activations. This meaningful support helps create economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs living in poverty in 78 countries and 19 cities in the U.S.
“Health-Ade’s mission is to inspire individuals to tap into the power of their gut, so they can unlock optimal health and happiness. But doing so requires opportunity, and that’s what Whole Planet Foundation so wholeheartedly provides. We are honored to support Whole Planet Foundation, knowing that entrepreneurs across the globe are receiving the opportunity to follow their gut and fulfill their full potential,” says the Health-Ade team.
From October 1-31, 2021, $0.10 from the sale of Health-Ade products in select Whole Foods Market stores will be donated to fund microloans to empower the world’s poorest entrepreneurs in communities where Whole Foods Market sources products.
La Colombe Coffee
La Colombe Coffee is committed to building, strengthening, and healing communities where they live and work. As a new $25,000 Poverty is Unnecessary Fund donor this year, La Colombe Coffee will fund microcredit through Whole Planet Foundation to empower microentrepreneurs with economic opportunity. With the profits from their small businesses, microcredit clients can lift their families out of poverty and help strengthen their communities.
“La Colombe is proud to support Whole Planet Foundation’s effort to alleviate global poverty through microloans, helping create change and express our commitment to Fairness, Community, and our Planet,” says the La Colombe Brand Team.
Laird Superfood
Laird Superfood is a new $25,000 Poverty is Unnecessary Fund Member this year. Their contribution will help fund over 140 microloans for entrepreneurs living in poverty. With these funds, microentrepreneurs around the globe can start or grow a small business to support their families and have an opportunity to break the cycle of poverty.
“We believe that the foods you eat should be good for the earth and good for you too. We believe that food should enable you to perform at the highest level, no matter what you’re doing. We promise to deliver on these values with every product we create,” says the team from Laird Superfood, pictured here.
From October 1-31, 2021, $0.25 from the sale of Laird shelf-stable and liquid creamers in select Whole Foods Market stores will be donated to fund microloans to empower the world’s poorest entrepreneurs in communities where Whole Foods Market sources products.
Lundberg Family Farms
Lundberg Family Farms returns as a member of the $25,000 Poverty is Unnecessary Fund supporting Whole Planet Foundation’s mission through the sale of their products in Whole Foods Market stores. To date, they have helped fund over 780 opportunities for microentrepreneur families around the globe to start or grow a small business in their communities.
“As a fourth-generation family business, family is the heart of who we are. Lundberg Family Farms is proud to support Whole Planet Foundation because we know firsthand that healthy businesses support healthy families—and healthy families are the foundation of a whole planet,” says Grant Lundberg, CEO of Lundberg Family Farms.
Third- and fourth-generation family members Bryce, Jessica, Mark, Grant, Tim, and Anders stand atop Lundberg’s Drying & storage facilities.
From March 1 – October 31, 2021, 5% of the sale of Lundberg products in select Whole Foods Market stores will be donated to fund microloans to empower the world’s poorest entrepreneurs in communities where Whole Foods Market sources products.
Pact
Whole Planet Foundation is honored to select Pact as our 2021 Trailblazer Award recipient. Since 2014, Pact has donated $125,000 to fund 2,450 microloans. Pact’s generosity extends beyond monetary contributions, including product donations to enhance fundraising activations. Staff from Pact have joined Whole Planet Foundation impact visits to witness the power of the work they help make possible.
“We continue year after year to appreciate that Whole Planet Foundation’s mission aligns with Pact’s brand values. We believe that small everyday changes can continue to make a big impact. Pact partners with Fair Trade Certified™ factories because they ensure care for both people and planet. Fair Trade factories provide safe working conditions, empower and uplift local communities, and protect the environment,” says the Pact Team.
From October 1-31, 2021, 10% of the sale of Pact products in select Whole Foods Market stores will be donated to fund microloans to empower the world’s poorest entrepreneurs in communities where Whole Foods Market sources products.
SAMBAZON
SAMBAZON has been a supporter of Whole Planet Foundation since 2011. To date, they have funded over 8,700 average first microloans to support microentrepreneurs with economic opportunity. We welcome SAMBAZON this year to the $25,000 Poverty is Unnecessary Fund and look forward to continuing our work together towards our collective mission of empowering people to change their own lives.
“SAMBAZON is excited to continue our partnership with Whole Planet Foundation to elevate our triple bottom line philosophy of achieving environmental, social, and economic impact through our business. At SAMBAZON, we partner with thousands of family farmers to facilitate sustainable harvesting, manufacturing, and marketing of organic Açaí to the world. We also give a percentage of our fruit purchases back to our partnered Amazonian communities, which support our harvest communities through infrastructure development like building schools, health clinics and water filtration equipment. Whole Planet Foundation has done an incredible job showing the impact of investment in the developing world,” says John Clotfelter, SAMBAZON, Director of Sales.
Unloading baskets of wild harvested acaí at SAMBAZON’s facility in Santana, Amapá State, Brazil.
From October 1 – December 31, 2021, $1 from the sale of SAMBAZON products in select Whole Foods Market stores will be donated to fund microloans to empower the world’s poorest entrepreneurs in communities where Whole Foods Market sources products.
The Republic of Tea
Longtime $25,000 Poverty is Unnecessary Fund member, The Republic of Tea has donated over $198,700 to alleviate global poverty through Whole Planet Foundation. This contribution has funded over 4,930 microloans to help microentrepreneurs start or grow their small business due to an average first loan size of $174.
“At The Republic of Tea we embody the ancient Chinese philosophy of Tashun — the Great Harmony — when people naturally care about the world and depend on each other for the well-being of the whole. We proudly support Whole Planet Foundation to alleviate poverty through microcredit partners worldwide, especially in the communities where we source teas and herbs,” says Kristina Tucker, Minister of Commerce and Enlightenment for The Republic of Tea.
TAZO
TAZO is proud to have donated $50,000 during their partnership with Whole Planet Foundation, funding over 370 microloans and creating 1,980 opportunities for microentrepreneurs and their families to thrive.
“At TAZO, we are passionate about exploring and sourcing bold teas from around the world and are proud to partner with organizations like Whole Planet Foundation, who empower hardworking entrepreneurs globally,” says the TAZO Team.
TAZO staff join donors and WPF staff to meet staff and clients of Small Enterprise Foundation, a microfinance partner in South Africa.
From October 1-31, 2021, $1 from the sale of all TAZO ready to drink products in select Whole Foods Market stores will be donated to fund microloans to empower the world’s poorest entrepreneurs in communities where Whole Foods Market sources products.
Unilever Brands
Four Unilever brands have committed to alleviate global poverty with a $25,000 donation each in 2021. These brands include Ben & Jerry’s, Schmidt’s Personal Care, Sir Kensington’s, and Sundial (SheaMoisture/Nubian Heritage).
Their collective donation of $100,000 will help fund 574 microloans and create 2,988 opportunities for microentrepreneurs and their families to lift themselves out of poverty.
Beyond their financial contribution, Unilever team members have attended our supplier impact trips to Miami and South Africa to meet microcredit clients and learn about the power of microcredit. Unilever brands also contribute products to support Whole Planet Activations, such as the 2021 Party With A Purpose Auction.
Ben & Jerry’s
Ben & Jerry’s has a business model of linked prosperity. Their social mission is to work towards their goal to create positive change in the world from inside the pint out, starting with responsible sourcing and support of their suppliers. As a $25,000 Poverty is Unnecessary Fund member, they extend that support in the form of microloans to microentrepreneurs living in poverty all around the globe.
SheaMoisture
SheaMoisture is the legacy of Sofi Tucker, a pioneering mother of four and entrepreneur, who sold Shea Butter, African Black Soap and homemade beauty preparations in Sierra Leone in 1912. SheaMoisture honors her vision by continuing to formulate with shea butter handcrafted by women in Africa. Your SheaMoisture purchase in Whole Foods Market stores supports Whole Planet Foundation and a shared mission to reinvest in back in our communities globally by empowering women entrepreneurs living in poverty with the opportunity to start or expand their small businesses.
Schmidt’s
Jaime Schmidt started making natural products in her Portland kitchen back in 2010. She felt frustrated with the lack of effective natural products in the marketplace, so she decided to make her own. Today, this woman-founded company, in partnership with Whole Planet Foundation, is paying it forward by helping fund microloans for women microentrepreneurs around the globe.
Sir Kensington’s
Sir Kensington’s is a leading provider of premium condiments and dressings. Since its founding in 2010, Sir Kensington’s has been on a mission to reimagine the most ordinary and overlooked foods with fearless integrity and charm. In 2018, the company became a Certified B Corporation, using business as a force for good, meeting the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability. Through their support of Whole Planet Foundation, they can spread that force of good to 78 countries and 25 communities in the U.S. as they help provide access to microcredit for the world’s poorest people.
From October 1– 31, 2021, $1 from the sale of Unilever products in select Whole Foods Market stores will be donated to fund microloans to empower the world’s poorest entrepreneurs in communities where Whole Foods Market sources products.