Whole Foods 2008 Annual Report Download - page 11

Whole Foods Market has been devoted to protecting organic integrity for years, and we are pleased to have the USDA’s
Organic Rule as a guiding standard. In May 2003, Whole Foods Market became America’s first national “Certified Organic”
grocer through certification by a federally recognized independent third-party certification organization. This voluntary
certification tells our customers that we have gone the extra mile by not only following the USDA’s Organic Rule, but
following a strict set of operating procedures designed to ensure that the products we sell and label as organic are indeed
organic – procedures that are not specifically required by the Organic Rule.
This certification verifies our handling of organic goods according to stringent national guidelines, from receipt through re-
packing to final sale to customers. To receive certification, retailers must agree to adhere to a strict set of standards set forth
by the USDA, submit documentation, and open their facilities to on-site inspections – all designed to assure Americans that
the chain of organic integrity is preserved. The certification is one more example of our commitment to the promotion of
organic agriculture and the integrity of the certified organic label.
Business Strategy
Whole Foods Market is the world’s leading supermarket emphasizing natural and organic foods. We believe that much of
our success to date is because we remain a uniquely mission-driven Company. We are highly selective about what we sell.
We believe in providing an empowering work environment for our team members, and we are committed to sustainable
agriculture. Our motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet,” emphasizes that our vision reaches far beyond just
food retailing.
Whole Foods
We obtain our products locally and from all over the world, often from small, uniquely dedicated food artisans. We strive to
offer the highest quality, least processed, most flavorful and naturally preserved foods. We believe that food in its purest
state, unadulterated by artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings and preservatives, is the best tasting and most nutritious
food available.
Whole People
We recruit the best people we can to become part of our team. We empower them to make many operational decisions,
creating a respectful workplace where team members are treated fairly and are highly motivated to succeed. We look for
team members who are passionate about food, but also well-rounded human beings who can play a critical role in helping to
build our Company into a profitable and beneficial part of every community in which we operate.
Whole Planet
We believe companies, like individuals, must assume their share of responsibility for our planet. We actively support organic
farming on a global basis because we believe it is the best method for promoting sustainable agriculture and protecting the
environment and farm workers. On a local basis, we are actively involved in our communities by supporting food banks,
sponsoring neighborhood events, and contributing at least 5% of our after-tax profits in the form of cash or products to not-
for-profit organizations.
Whole Foods Market was recognized in March 2008 in
FORTUNE magazine’s “America’s Most Admired Companies” list
for the second year in a row. The “Most Admired” list is the “definitive report card on corporate reputations”; a list in which
leaders of the Fortune 1000 and top foreign companies operating in the U.S. rate companies in their own industry on eight
criteria. Among the seven most admired companies in the Food and Drug Stores category, Whole Foods Market was ranked
#4 by its peers, with #1 rankings in the areas of Innovation, Social Responsibility, and Quality of Products.
Core Values
Our core values reflect what is truly important to us as an organization. They are the underpinning of our corporate culture
and the soul of our Company. They transcend our size and growth, so regardless of how large we become, by maintaining
our core values we are able to preserve what has always been special about our Company. In 2008, we added a sixth Core
Value recognizing the importance of our relationships with suppliers. Our supplier partners are our allies in serving the
interests of all of our stakeholders in bringing to market the highest quality products available. We are committed to working
with honesty, integrity and transparency in partnership with our suppliers to provide value, education and innovation to all of
our stakeholders.
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