2007 SPONSIBLE AWARDS VI

2007 Sponsible Award - Corporate Leader

Winner: John Mackey (Whole Foods)

Each time we walk into a Whole Foods we find not just a broad array of healthy, sustainable foods and products, but inspiration. At every turn the store shows its commitment to the environment and fair trade practices with bins for nearly every category of recyclable, reusable shopping bags and a wealth of info on all things sponsible at the information booth.

Since starting a little health-food store he called "Safer Way" in a garage in Austin, Texas in 1978 Whole Foods' founder and CEO John Mackey has watched it grow into the largest natural and organic market chain in the world, while holding to its original vision the whole way. Whole Foods' motto of Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet is not just their own guiding principle but inspiration for retailers across the U.S. The demand for sustainable farming practices and organic products has sparked a revolution in the food industry with natural and organic products now being seen in all major supermarket chains.

Mackey's vision doesn't stop within the walls of his 265 stores throughout North America and the U.K. however. The Animal Compassion Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life of farm animals and the Whole Planet Foundation's mission is to create economic partnerships with the poor in those developing-world communities that supply Whole Foods stores with product.

In addition, individual stores hold 5% Days (or CommUnity Giving Days), donating 5% of that day's net sales to a local or regional non-profit or educational organization.

Sponsible.org would like to congratulate John Mackey and Whole Foods for their holistic vision for their company as it relates to the rest of the world. We hope more corporations follow their lead.