If we want to improve the way children eat, using capitalism as a tool to create this change is certainly one powerful way to do it.

That is precisely what motivated the Whole Kids Foundation to launch its new #WholeKidsBiz sweepstakes, which is giving away $5,000 to student entrepreneurs.

From March 18-25, students ages 11-18 can enter for a chance to win by submitting an under-three-minute video describing how their business or entrepreneurial school program is helping kids eat healthier in one of three areas: gardening, plant-forward cooking or nutrition education.

Not only are children and young adults showing an interest in healthy living at a much earlier age, but youth entrepreneurship — undoubtedly helped by the popularity of Shark Tank — is also on the rise.

According to the Gallup-HOPE Index, 77% of students in grades 5 – 12 say they want to be their own boss, 45% say they plan to start their own business, and 42% say they will invent something that changes the world.

“Students are taking the lead in powering real change in their communities and schools— whether it’s growing and selling vegetables from their school garden or incorporating vegetables into baked goods,” said Nona Evans, Executive Director of the Whole Kids Foundation, a non-profit arm of Whole Foods Market. “We’re excited to support entrepreneurial learning, as the critical thinking skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur will set up our next generation of leaders for success in whatever they aspire to.”

For the Whole Kids Foundation, whose mission is to improve children’s nutrition and wellness, this giveaway is a natural fit. And it is the first of many steps the foundation plans to take to support entrepreneurship, with the goal of building awareness of youth-led businesses and creating a pipeline for a future grant program for students.

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With Friday’s blockbuster news of Amazon buying Whole Foods Market for nearly $14 billion, I gave my own analysis on Organic Insider about how this would impact the organic food industry.

Yet, wanting to hear from the people who actually run organic food companies, I reached out to a handful of CEOs and founders, all of whom sell their products to Whole Foods, to see what they think of the deal.

It was important for me to get insight from CEOs and founders of small, medium and large organic brands since companies of varying size may view this acquisition in a different light. Read more »

Yesterday, in a blockbuster deal, Amazon agreed to purchase Whole Foods Market in an all-cash deal for $42 per share or nearly $14 billion.

While there is a tremendous amount of analysis about what Amazon’s plans will be for the stores and how this will forever change the overall grocery landscape, I took a different approach. Read more »

On the first Wednesday of every other month, I have a column called Wednesdays at Whole Foods. It showcases the most interesting news, exclusive products, store events, and happenings at the company.

365 OPENS ITS DOORS

As you may very well know by now, 365 by Whole Foods Market, the company’s lower-priced grocery chain, made its long-awaited debut last week in Los Angeles.

With its pared-down look and feel, 365 by Whole Foods Market is very focused on efficiency and technology, all with the goal of passing on savings to its shoppers.
Read more »

On the first Wednesday of every other month, I have a column called Wednesdays at Whole Foods. It showcases the most interesting news, exclusive products, store events, and happenings at the company.

DIGITAL COUPONS MADE SIMPLE

In the October 2015 column, I talked at length about Whole Foods Market’s new app and all of its functionality.

Well, one great feature has since been added: digital coupons. And this is reason enough to download the app.

Here’s how it works.

You do your shopping and when you get to the check-out register, simply scan the bar code and it will automatically deduct any eligible coupons. It’s that effortless.

If using an app isn’t your thing, the company still offers printable coupons.

DOING THE RIGHT THING

In what has received little media attention but is of tremendous importance, Whole Foods Market expanded its partnership with the Fair Food Program — an organization that brings together workers, consumers, growers and retailers in support of humane labor standards and fairer wages in U.S. agriculture — to become the first food retailer to offer strawberries certified by the Fair Food Program. Read more »

On the first Wednesday of every other month, I have a column called Wednesdays at Whole Foods. It showcases the most interesting news, exclusive products, store events, and happenings at the company.

A NEW STANDARD IN SALMON

In a constant search to improve the way that it sources its seafood, Whole Foods Market just announced that it is now selling the most environmentally-friendly farmed salmon in the company’s history.

Given that salmon is the company’s number one selling fish and the majority of the world’s salmon is farmed, this announcement is sure to resonate with both shoppers and environmentalists alike. Read more »

On the first Wednesday of every other month, I have a column called Wednesdays at Whole Foods. It showcases the most interesting news, exclusive products, store events, and happenings at the company.

A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME?

(Photos courtesy of Mendocino Farms)

In October, Whole Foods Market made a very interesting strategic move – it took a minority stake in Mendocino Farms, an 11-unit, healthy fast-casual sandwich chain based in Los Angeles. Read more »