Whole Foods Market Vendor Fair

Illinois vendors offered chance to meet with Whole Foods Market® buyers

Future Kildeer store holding vendor fair Jan. 17 to find great new local products, deadline
for entry submission Sunday, January 6

Whole Foods Market, the world’s leading natural and organic grocer, is holding a local vendor fair Thursday, Jan. 17 at the Holiday Inn Express in Palatine to discover new products to sell at the Kildeer location. The event offers local producers the opportunity to meet with Whole Foods Market buyers and learn the viability of having their products sold in the new store, with potential for growth within the region and the company. Only vendors that grow fruits and/or vegetables commercially or manufacture and package products in Illinois are eligible. Those interested in learning more are encouraged to visit wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/kildeer.

“As a mission-based company, Whole Foods Market believes in supporting local farmers, producers and artisans by buying locally,” comments Stefanie Garcia, local forager. “There are so many great products available right here in Illinois and we greatly look forward to learning about them and working with their creators to potentially carry them in our store.”

With a companywide goal of sourcing 20 percent of products from local producers, each store works independently to acquire products that best suit the tastes and needs of customers. Vendors are required to ensure their product meets the company’s strict quality standards.

“Every product gets its start somewhere. We love working with local vendors and have many success stories of products being carried regionally or even nationally after starting in a local store,” states Garcia. “The relocation of the Palatine store offers us more shelf space to encourage even more local vendors to work with us.”

- more -

Whole Foods Market believes there are many benefits to buying local, including:

• Local farm production helps stores and customers stay connected to the seasons, regional varieties and the people who grow our food.

• Family-run farms put a face behind the product. Many local growers visit Whole Foods Market stores to share their products and to meet the people who buy their food.

• Shoppers are given the freshest, most flavorful seasonal offerings of regional growers.

• Supporting local family growers and co-operatives creates local jobs and ensures the continuation of independent farming and the diversity of land use.