Growing into a large company definitely has some advantages. By 2005, we gained the scale and scope to create Whole Planet Foundation (WPF) a non-profit foundation providing grants to microfinance institutions in Latin America, Africa and Asia to help plant seeds of prosperity through microlending programs to help contribute to the eradication of global poverty. The Foundation partners with microfinance institutions in communities that supply our stores with products to operate microlending programs. Microlending is a method of providing individuals with small loans (about $200) to start or expand a small business, such as sewing, handicrafts, small scale agriculture, little stores and others. Funds are not directed to Whole Foods Market farmers, but rather to the individuals in the communities where our farmers live and work.

Whole Planet Foundation began operations with a multi-country partnership with 2006 Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and his organization Grameen Trust. Dr.Yunus is one of the earliest pioneers of microcredit--a tool that empowers the poor. Whole Planet Foundation is also partnering with other Microfinance Institutions in Africa, Asia and Latin America, including: Fundación Adelante and Pro Mujer. Whole Planet Foundation is empowering individuals through entrepreneurship by supporting microlending programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, India, Indonesia and East Timor, with plans to expand microlending to other countries soon. Learn more about our non-profit – Whole Planet Foundation’s work to reduce poverty in the developing world- at www.wholeplanetfoundation.org.