<p><strong>Austin, TX</strong><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Whole Foods Market is announcing that with the assistance of its shoppers, it has paid over $2.5 million in Community Development premiums for Fair Trade Certified produce and floral, according to a press release. The amount includes over $1 million in banana premiums, as well as over $1 million in flower premiums, and more than $300,000 in pineapple premiums. All sums help to fund projects in the countries and communities that grow the products.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> The Whole Trade Guarantee fruit and floral products are at present sourced from Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Mexico. Fair Trade Community Development premiums fund projects including schools, education programs and health services for individuals. Worker organizations determine the community projects to utilize the premium money, according to the release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “By purchasing Whole Trade Guarantee produce, our shoppers are not only getting high-quality products, but their purchases help make a difference in the lives of the people who grow their food,” said John Walker, Global Produce Coordinator. “Our team travels to the many countries where we source Whole Trade Guarantee produce, and we’ve seen first-hand the impact these premiums have made thanks to our shoppers’ purchases.” Whole Foods Market purchased over half of all Fair Trade Certified bananas, flowers, pineapples, and mangoes sold in the US market. This makes is it the top retailer in those Fair Trade categories for 2011.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">www.wholefoodsmarket.com</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
