Whole Foods Market is partnering with Florida Organic Growers for its first regionwide “Donate Your Dime” campaign.
The quarterly initiative launched its second term Jan. 18. Each store traditionally partners with a local organization, but in an effort to collectively raise awareness and money for Florida Organic Growers, all 25 Florida stores have joined to maximize the effort.
Whole Foods Market gives back 10 cents per bag to customers who reuse their shopping bags for their groceries. They then have the choice to accept it as a discount on their bill or donate the cash back to the store’s chosen nonprofit organization or to the Whole Planet Foundation.
Each fiscal quarter, Whole Foods Market selects a local nonprofit partner that receives a donation of the cash collected during that three-month period. The Donate Your Dime Program has been an ongoing initiative for Whole Foods Market Florida region since 1997.
“When customers choose to reuse their bags, they are making a very positive impact for the environment,” said Karen Doyle of Whole Foods Market. “Most plastic bags end up in the landfill because they are not accepted in most residential recycling centers. Plastic bags are one of the most common items polluting our environment.”
Florida Organic Growers is a nonprofit that promotes organic agriculture and healthy food systems by informing producers, consumers, media, institutions and governments about the benefits of organic and sustainable agriculture.
“We are extremely grateful to Whole Foods Market for the Donate Your Dime partnership,” Executive Director Marty Mesh said. “This campaign will allow us to share our passion for organic, healthy and just food and farm systems with the Whole Foods Market community. Funds raised from this campaign will benefit our statewide, national and international education initiatives, various projects and improving public policy. We are excited for this opportunity.”
Nonprofits interested in partnering with Whole Foods Market can submit applications online at www.wholefoodsmarket.com/service/florida-community-giving.
To learn about Florida Organic Growers, visit www.foginfo.org.
