AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whole Foods Market, Inc. , the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket, announced today it has reached a milestone with its new Local Producer Loan Program by administering more than $1 million in low-interest loans. Loan recipients include small-scale food producers and growers from 12 states. Among their products are agricultural crops, body care products, and artisan foods including nut butters, ice cream, granolas and cheeses.

"Local food growers and artisans have been vital to the success of Whole Foods Market during our 27 years in business. Today we are proud to emphasize our commitment to producers by announcing our first $1 million in financial support to 22 program participants," said John Mackey, Whole Foods Market CEO and co-founder. "We believe the Local Producer Loan Program can make a very significant difference in helping local agriculture grow and flourish, and $1 million in loans represents just the initial phase of our efforts."

The most recent loan recipient is Don Lunsford of 3L Farms in Durham, N.C. Lunsford worked as a golf course superintendent before deciding to return to his family's farming roots. In operation since 2002, Don is most proud of growing good quality and consistent products; he has dreams of expanding the business to include shiitake mushrooms and tomatoes. Named for the "3 Lunsfords" in the family, 3L Farms will use the loan money to build a greenhouse for hothouse tomatoes.

"I've never been able to obtain the finances to expand my small business until Whole Foods Market started this program," Lunsford said. "With the new greenhouses, my goal is to be into production with tomatoes by May of next year."

Whole Foods Market's Local Producer Loan Program aims to strengthen the company's partnership with independent and small-scale local growers and food artisans. The Company has committed $10 million annually to these low-interest loans. Loan recipients must meet Whole Foods Market's quality standards, use the funds for expansion, and have a viable business plan. Loan amounts are between $1,000 and $100,000 with low, fixed interest rates currently between 5% and 9%. Applications and additional information are available at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/loans.

About Whole Foods Market(R):

Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (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 270 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, Fresh & Wild(TM), and Harry's Farmers Market(R) are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP. Wild Oats(R) and Capers Community Market(TM) are trademarks owned by Wild Marks, Inc. Whole Foods Market employs more than 50,000 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.

Fact Sheet Local Producer Loan Program Recipients Arizona Laughing Giraffe Organics, Phoenix, AZ. This young, passionate entrepreneur started his company making organic, raw, vegan, gluten-free macaroons & granola. The loan is purchasing equipment to aid expansion. California Dr. Melina, San Francisco, CA. Dr. Melina is a physician, nutrition specialist, and board-certified internist specializing in nutrition for weight loss and disease. The loan is being used to produce her new nutritional protein bars. Kombucha Botanica, Santa Cruz, CA. This maker of raw, organic, Fair Trade, kosher kombucha will use his loan funds to add three additional fermentation rooms. Mudslinger's Freestyle, San Francisco, CA. A local ice cream shop is expanding the retail distribution of is unique coconut-milk based non-dairy desserts. Revolution Foods, Emeryville, CA. This start-up is providing a healthy alternative for schoolchildren with its retail line, exclusive to Whole Foods Market. Valley End Farm, Santa Rosa, CA. An organic family farm run by a mother and her two children is installing improved irrigation systems that reduce water waste. Colorado Full Circle Farms, Longmont, CO. This organic grower and long-time Whole Foods supplier is building a refrigerated produce-packing room and a concrete loading area with new material handling equipment. Haystack Mountain Goat Dairy, Boulder, CO. The goat cheese maker is expanding its herd, building a nursery for the goat kids, and upgrading its irrigation system. Justin's Nut Butter, Boulder, CO. Loan funds will help this young company expand its line of nut butter in single-serving packages. MouCo Cheese, Fort Collins, CO. This husband-and-wife artisanal cheese company is purchasing cheese-making forms and support equipment. Florida Buzzn Bee, West Palm Beach, FL. This honey and bee product maker is using the loan to purchase freezer units to expand its product line. Massachusetts Old School Baking, Northampton, MA. The husband and wife who started this artisanal bakery are using the funds for a much-needed additional rack oven. Missouri Yummy's Choice, Kansas City, MO. This producer's Mediterranean foods are a hit in Kansas City, and, thanks to the loan proceeds, are available in Colorado. New Mexico Desert Blends of Taos, Taos, NM. The woman owning this small business is purchasing equipment for in-house filling and packing of her wild-crafted desert herb-infused bath and body products. New Jersey Upper Meadows Farm, Montague, NJ. This organic family farm has been devoted to sustainable holistic agriculture since 1987 and certified organic since 1991. The loan is helping to complete a packing shed. New York Red Jacket Orchards, Geneva, NY. This third-generation family farm has been producing fruit with passion and integrity since 1958. They will use the loan funds to purchase high tunnels to protect delicate crops from the elements. Wine Cellar Sorbets, Brooklyn, NY. Two childhood friends from Brooklyn are purchasing a batch freezer to allow more efficient production of their tasty creations. North Carolina 3L Farms, Durham, NC. This small producer has been providing greenhouse lettuce to Whole Foods Market since 2002 and is using his loan funds to expand into tomatoes. Ohio Mills Rest Ranch, Mt. Gilead, OH. The Mills family runs this small farm/ranch producing primarily beef and poultry for farmers' markets and local residents. The loan will enable them to build a 2-part poultry barn to increase their production of heritage turkeys for Whole Foods Market. Texas Adams Blackland Prairie, Ladonia, TX. Wesley and Kelly Adams operate a family farm where they raise pasture-fed beef, with stress-reducing techniques and no hormones or antibiotics. They will be purchasing young heifers with the loan funds. Blumetti's Gourmet Foods, Dallas, TX. Jim Blumetti sells his grandmother's Italian sauces, using 100 percent natural ingredients and hand crafted in micro-batches. With the loan funds he will be able to introduce three new flavors. Holy Cow Beef, Graham, TX. Ann and Weldon Warren are new ranchers who treat their animals and land well, using rotational grazing and no pesticides. This loan will enable the purchase of additional livestock. Contact: Amy Schaefer amy.schaefer@wholefoods.com 512-542-0380