Whole Foods Market

"To me being a Culture Champion means being an authentic representation of what Whole Foods Market is at its core. We are knowledgeable, driven and passionate. We don’t do things the easy way, we do them the right way because that’s the way to get the best results. Being a culture champion means answering the questions our communities have about what we do, in and out of the store. Why do we aim to recycle? Why do we support gardens in local schools? What does that have to do with selling groceries? We are armed with a layer of information to be able to share the magic that is this company with everyone. Personally, going through the Culture Champion program has helped me fall in love all over again with our mission. Good food, healthy food, safe food, is not a privilege for a select few, it should be available to everyone. We work hard every day to make sure everyone can find something in our stores to nourish and delight. The common thread of conversation since I got back from being In the Field in Iceland has been sharing the realization that there are so many moving parts that go into what we stock every day. Not only are small communities thousands of miles away involved with the making of our products, but every step along the way was planned and prepared for. The level of care we witnessed was astounding. New Chapter, Inc., for example, formulates their products for maximum effectiveness by taking into account if a nutrient in it needs to be fermented or what the best form of a nutrient is for a given product. Blaine Streisand, their CEO, explained the 'why' behind the 'what' with such dedication, really showing how this care is taken from the top down. Every vendor, every partner, every person we talked to on the trip had the same mindset: 'Make the best product, even if it makes the process harder, longer, or more involved, because the best products are made the right way. Not by short cuts.' Seeing the ripples of every choice behind every product has given me a new appreciation for the hard work done by our teams and the communities and brands behind the products we sell. We’re part of a web of people committed to nourishing the world. That’s a beautiful thing to witness and I feel blessed to be a part of it." - Cheryl Bauer, Sanitation Team Member #Iceland #InTheFieldWFM #TeamWFM

"The elementary school I attended is about a mile away from the flagship Whole Foods Market Lamar store here in Austin, TX. They would give Whole Foods cookie vouchers for good attendance (and I was a model student). Back then, Whole Foods shared a floor with BookPeople across the street and this little section of Austin became a very local and amicable way to spend an afternoon. Since my last free Gingerbread Man, I launched a startup that was acquired in 2015, worked briefly as a federal agent, and spent seven years in hedge fund and private equity finance. I was selected and sponsored by MLB to participate in their SABRmetrics conference based on my work in player valuations, but after that ended, I decided I was ready for something new. So, when an opening at Whole Foods on the Indirect Procurement team opened up, I welcomed the opportunity. Joining this team has been a riveting experience: I'm getting to create purchasing models and enhance data structures all alongside a supportive, creative and energetic group of Team Members. During my lunch break, I like to grab my guitar, which commutes with me to work, and head over to our office's patio that's tucked away from downtown Austin, surrounded by shade and greenery. Neither of my parents play instruments, but my grandfather is in the Tejano Music Hall of Fame, so I was surrounded by music from an early age. As a born and raised Austinite, there was always lots of access to local musicians: I grew up with Max Frost, was taught to drum by Ernie Durawa of the Texas Tornados and was introduced to Gary Clark Jr. as a teenager. I started off drumming but picked up guitar when my twin brother wanted to trade instruments. Playing music during the middle of the day is cathartic and gives me something different to focus on. The guitar I carry around the office is oddly shaped and signed by a well-known Texan, so it’s served as a fun conversation starter with my new coworkers." If you find yourself by the flagship store midday on Fridays and hear harmonious guitar riffs, that's just one of the ways we say 'hello' in Austin." - Mark Escamilla, Indirect Procurement Financial Analyst #NourishPeople #NourishWellbeing #TeamWFM

At Allegro Coffee Company, cupping isn’t just a tasting. It's a full-sensory experience designed to unlock the story inside every bean — from first fragrance to final sip. Whether you're coffee obsessed or curious, join Senior Coffee and Tea Buyer Kelly Amoroso this #InternationalCoffeeDay as she grounds out what makes a coffee exceptional and how to taste like a pro! Inside This Cupping Session: → Deep dive into aroma + dry fragrance → The perfect pour + steep timing → Breaking the crust like a pro → Tasting across hot, warm, and cool phases → Identifying bold notes: chocolate, citrus, fruit → Flavor clarity, body, acidity, and aftertaste → How we choose the best, using SCA standards Welcome to the ritual behind every great roast. #NourishPeople #TeamWFM

"Becoming a Culture Champion felt like the true starting point for my Whole Foods Market career. Learning more about our core values and our Purpose helped shift the perspective for me from just working in a grocery store, to realizing there was a bigger picture that I was a part of. As I’ve grown in my roles over the years, leaning into being a Culture Champion has helped keep a solid foundation for what I do. It has been fun to see how much this program continues to grow and give as time goes on. I found so much joy in stepping into the Food Ambassador role that was launched within the Culture Champion program: It has helped connect me to all the Team Members in the store that I didn’t have much interaction with before and has created a new sense of community here. Being selected for the In the Field with Jason in Iceland was such a gift. I was so touched by the Icelandic people and their culture. They are so community driven and resourceful. To live in such an unforgiving landscape and still find ways to work with the planet is inspiring. Aside from being in Iceland, I loved our Whole Foods group. We all clicked instantly. Getting to talk with Jason and our Store Support Team Members and learning more about our company on a global scale was amazing. I am truly proud to say I work for this company and look forward to more growth opportunities as I continue along my career with Whole Foods." - Samantha Ashley, Specialty Team Leader #Iceland #InTheFieldWFM #TeamWFM

In today's workplace, a five-year tenure is noteworthy. Ten years is remarkable. Anything beyond that? Almost unheard of. That's what makes our legacy so special: We have many incredible individuals who've chosen to grow with us, living our Purpose decade after decade. Among these exceptional individuals is John Petesch, who not only is celebrating 40 years with us, but also holds another unique distinction: He's our last active Team Member whose signature appears on the original 1985 Declaration of Interdependence! John, while we could share endless words of our appreciation, we think your Store Team Leader says it best: "I have gotten to work closely with John for the past six years: Talk about a cultural warrior and a walking encyclopedia on the history of Whole Foods. John’s life journey, and Whole Foods journey has been incredible. He has spent the majority of his career in Cash-Up, but was a Customer Service Team Leader for a year and won All-Star while in the role in 1988. John was born and raised in Austin, Texas. Before Whole Foods, he was a professional Hat Blocker for six years. This was during the time the movie Urban Cowboy came out, so he was BUSY! After doing that, one of his high school buddies got him a job at Whole Foods. He has spent the majority of his career in Cash-Up, but was a Customer Service Team Leader for a year and won All-Star while in the role in 1988. During his time at Whole Foods, John has taken several sabbaticals, allowing him to travel extensively throughout Europe. He's extremely grateful for company programs like this one that support his passions. All this time, and he still loves working here and can’t imagine working for a better company. John tells us how he has nothing but great memories during his time with Whole Foods, and I am honored that I get to be a part of some of them, working alongside this Legend. He is one of the most positive people I know and is not just an inspiration to me, but our entire Domain store. You will never meet someone more dedicated and loyal than John. Congratulations to 40 years with Whole Foods �� you are amazing!!" - Jennifer Wind, Store Team Leader #WFM45 #TMAW #NourishPeople

To every Team Member who's been a part of #TeamWFM in our 45 year history, thank YOU. We had a blast celebrating our 45th anniversary this week. Cheers to 45 years, y'all. 🎉 #WFM45

"While organic has transformed from a niche movement to a global standard since our founding, we're still pioneering what's next. Today's consumers understand that organic isn't just about what's not in their food — it's about supporting a food system that builds soil health, protects our pollinators, and creates healthier communities. As the first and only certified organic national grocer, we're committed to expanding possibilities for both our suppliers and customers. With over 44,500 organic products on our shelves — and growing — we're proving that organic can be both accessible and transformative. Our next chapter is about leveraging organic agriculture to help build a more resilient and transparent food future." – Ann Marie Hourigan, Executive Leader of Quality Standards 💚 💚 💚 For over four decades, Whole Foods Market has been at the forefront of the organic movement. For #OrganicMonth, we’re proud to spotlight Ann Marie Hourigan, our Executive Leader of Quality Standards, who continues to build on our long legacy in shaping not just our standards but the organic industry. Join us in celebrating 40+ years of organic leadership and the dedicated Team Members that make it possible!    #Organic #Sustainability #TeamWFM

45 years of nourishing communities 🎉 Watch the love from our incredible #TeamWFM family celebrating #WFM45!

Today, we’re celebrating 45 years of Whole Foods Market. 🎂 And we’re commemorating this milestone in the best way: at our hometown flagship store in Austin, TX with Mayor Kirk Watson officially proclaiming September 20th as Whole Foods Market Day! This milestone isn't just about our longevity — it's a celebration of our incredible Team Members, loyal customers, and the positive impact we continue to make in our communities with our Quality Standards for ingredients and sourcing. Here's to 45 years and many, many more nourishing people and the planet. #WFM45 #TeamWFM