Whole Foods Looking for Local Farmers/Producers

Whole Foods Market® in Search of Local Growers, Suppliers

Seminar to be held Monday, Sept. 17 at Ecotrust

Portland, Ore. (July 17, 2007) - Whole Foods Market (Nasdaq: WFMI), the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket, is actively searching the Pacific Northwest for vendors interested in partnering with Whole Foods Market to offer new natural foods and products to customers

Reinforcing its ongoing commitment to providing quality local products, Whole Foods Market is hosting a free one-day seminar for potential new growers and suppliers in the Pacific Northwest.
“Whole Foods Market has always been dedicated to supporting regional purveyors while providing the best local foods and other products to our customers,” said Ron Megahan, president of the Pacific Northwest Region. “We are continually looking to uncover the next great artisan, farmer, rancher or environmentally friendly product. Our goal is to be known for offering the best of what the Pacific Northwest has to offer, and we hope our seminars have a great showing of potential Whole Foods Market partners.”

Whole Foods Market is looking for growers and suppliers from the Pacific Northwest who are passionate about producing high-quality, natural and organic foods. Those attending the seminar will learn how to partner with Whole Foods Market and share resources to make their businesses stronger through distribution options, effective packaging, marketing and media relations, “greening” products and the Whole Foods Market Grower and Supplier Loan Program.

Participating growers and suppliers will listen to and network with existing vendors and local farmers, Whole Foods Market’s buyers, and experts from the natural and organic products industry.

Where: Ecotrust located at 721 NW 9th Avenue. Portland, Oregon 97209
When: Monday, Sept. 17, drop in between 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Seminar highlights include:
How to grow your business with Whole Foods Market
Understanding the process of becoming a Whole Foods Market vendor
Meeting Whole Foods Market’s quality standards
Learning about effective marketing and media relations
Whole Foods Market’s loan program, the latest grower-supplier support initiative
Whole Foods Market will be accepting applications through Tuesday, September 4, 2007, and hope to bring together 150 - 200 participants to attend the seminar.
The seminar is only open to growers, manufacturers, and suppliers who do not currently sell products in Whole Foods Market.
To apply for the Local Grower & Supplier Seminar in Portland, Ore., please email: pn.or.local-vendors@wholefoods.com .
For more information on Whole Foods Market’s new Local Producer Loan Program, visit: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/locallygrown/lplp/index.html .

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About Whole Foods Market®

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/ is the world’s leading natural and organic foods supermarket and America’s first national certified organic grocer. In fiscal year 2006, the company had sales of $5.6 billion and currently has more than 190 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The Whole Foods Market motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”TM captures the company’s mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Whole Foods Market, Harry’s Farmers Market®, and Fresh & Wild® are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP. Whole Foods Market employs more than 45,000 Team Members and has been ranked for ten consecutive years as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine.