[Pollinator] Whole Foods Market give 2014 Supplier Awards to

[Matthew Shepherd]

NOTE: This blog from Whole Foods Market has been edited to remove the
awards that are less related to pollinators. If you want to read about all
the awards that were given on Tuesday evening, see the original
announcement at
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/blog/spotlight-our-2014-supplier-award-winners
.


A Spotlight on our 2014 Supplier Award Winners

By Liz Burkhart, April 23, 2014  |  Meet the
Blogger<http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/person/liz-burkhart> |  More
Posts by Liz <http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/person/liz-burkhart>

Last night, we revealed the winners of our coveted annual Supplier Awards,
our company's highest honors for producer partners that embody our mission
and core values <http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/values/>. Out of thousands
of Whole Foods Market suppliers nationwide, fewer than 50 have received one
of these distinguished awards.

"Shoppers trust Whole Foods Market to uphold the highest quality,
ingredient and sourcing standards in the industry, and our suppliers go to
great lengths to help us deliver on that promise every day," said Edmund
LaMacchia, Whole Foods Market's global vice president of procurement,
perishables. "Our Supplier Award winners set the gold standard for
producers in the industry, and we're proud to celebrate their achievements."

In addition to our two "Supplier of the Year" honorees, we recognized the
cream-of-the-crop supplier partners in 16 categories that highlight several
areas of achievement, including product innovation, environmental
stewardship, ethical sourcing and excellence in quality standards and
assurance.

"Every one of our supplier partners adds flavor, character and integrity to
our stores, whether they're dedicated to land conservation, sustainable
fishing methods or simply creating the best-tasting product on our
shelves," said Jim Speirs, Whole Foods Market's global vice president of
procurement, non-perishables. "We're thankful for their drive, true
partnership and commitment to growing their business with Whole Foods
Market."

The retailer revealed its Supplier Award winners at last night's reception
in Austin, Texas, at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel. Additional honorees
include:

*New Product Innovation:*

   - *Gotham Greens* <http://gothamgreens.com/>* - *for creating a
   first-of-its kind rooftop greenhouse garden on Whole Foods Market's
   Brooklyn store. The garden provides customers fresh, delicious salad items
   while reducing food miles, recycling 100 percent of water used and
   using integrated pest management practices.

*Best Partnership:*

   - *The Xerces Society* <http://www.xerces.org/> - for its tireless
   advocacy and research to protect pollinators like honeybees and monarch
   butterflies, which are vital to the global food supply; for its partnership
   with Whole Foods Market to raise awareness and funds for research through
   the "Share the Buzz" campaign, and for its work to help suppliers use
   pollinator-friendly sourcing and production methods.

*Commodity Ingredients:*

   - *Blue Diamond Growers <https://www.bluediamond.com/>* - for
   consistent, high quality almond products, excellent communication and
   partnership to meet our business needs, and for leadership in the
   conservation of honeybees and other pollinators that play an important role
   in the global food supply.

Two all-star producers earned our top "Supplier of the Year" award for
outstanding all-around performance:

   - *Pitman Family Farms
   <http://www.maryschickens.com/maryandherfamily.htm>* (Perishables) - for
   its deep commitment to animal welfare, leadership in non-GMO-fed meat
   production and dedication to quality. In addition to raising chickens that
   meet Steps 3, 4 and 5 on the 5-Step(tm) Animal Welfare Rating
System<http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/about-our-products/quality-standards/animal-welfare-standards>,
   Pitman Family Farms recently developed a new crossbreed of chicken that is
   better suited to an outdoor environment and, most recently, was the first
   supplier to earn approval to label its meat "Non-GMO Fed."
   - *Suja Juice *(Non-Perishables) - for combining expertise in mixology,
   high-pressure pasteurization technology and ethical sourcing to reinvent
   the fresh juice category and for partnering with us to co-create Suja
   Elements, an exclusive line of mission-driven, cold-pressed smoothies at
   value prices. The brand donates to nonprofits 20 cents of every bottle sold
   as part of the Suja Elements Cause Collective.



________



*Matthew Shepherd*, Communications Director



*The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation     *Protecting the Life
that Sustains Us



Stay in touch:     *xerces.org <http://www.xerces.org/>*          *Facebook
<http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Xerces-Society/193182577358618>*
*E-newsletter <http://www.xerces.org/enewsletters/>*          *Twitter
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628 NE Broadway, Ste 200, Portland, OR 97232-1324, USA

Tel: (503) 232-6639 ext. 110; Toll free: 1-855-232 6639 ext. 110; Cell:
(503) 807-1577

mdshepherd at xerces.org



The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international
nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of
invertebrates and their habitat. To join the Society, make a donation, or
read about our work, please visit www.xerces.org.
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