PORTLAND, OR – A recent fundraising effort by Whole Foods Market raised nearly $18,000 for Ecotrust, a Portland-based nonprofit. The proceeds benefit Ecotrust’s Food & Farms program, which works to build a robust regional food community with flourishing farms, vibrant communities, and healthy eaters. The funds raised will support three primary initiatives: Farm to School, FoodHub and Edible Portland.

Ecotrust staffers were on hand at each participating store during the day to answer questions, which provided a great opportunity for people to learn more about school food initiatives, the challenges involved in increasing the market share of locally-grown, processed and manufactured foods and the faces of our regional food community spotlighted in Edible Portland magazine.

Ecotrust wishes to thank Whole Foods Market and to recognize their deep commitment to our regional food community. Ecotrust also wishes to thank all those who came out that day in support of  Ecotrust’s Food & Farms program.

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About Ecotrust’s Food & Farms Program
Ecotrust’s mission is to foster a natural model of development that creates more resilient communities, economies, and ecosystems here and around the world. Over more than 20 years, Ecotrust has converted $80 million in grants into more than $500 million in capital for local people, businesses, and organizations from Alaska to California. With regard to our Food & Farms program, we see a world of possibilities for flourishing farms, vibrant communities, and healthy eaters. In fact, we believe all three are inextricably linked. We improve public understanding of agriculture and the challenges it faces, increase the market share of locally grown, processed, and manufactured foods, and share the abundance of our region with eaters from all walks of life. Learn more at www.ecotrust.org.

About Whole Foods Market
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ: WFMI), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America’s first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” by Health magazine. The company’s motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company’s more than 55,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 13 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2009, the company had sales of $8 billion and currently has more than 280 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.