Company Analysis: Whole Foods Market
Introduction
Whole Foods Market is American supermarket chains headquartered in Austin, Texas. Today, the company is the world’s leader in selling natural and organic foods and has more than 360 stores in the North America and the United Kingdom (Whole Foods, Inc. 1). As a company, they seek the finest goods available, while maintaining the most faithful quality of natural and organic food items. In essence, they have an impeccable commitment to sustainable agriculture. Their motto is “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet” (Whole Foods Declaration). The company markets food products and dietary supplements along with body care items, articles of ...view middle of the document...
Along with the company’s motto, they carry a set of core values. The company feels as if they have a responsibility to provide the highest quality product possible to all involved and associated with the business; shareholders and customers, as well as the team members (employees), suppliers, local communities and the environment, are all considered in decisions (Whole Foods 2009d). For example, among other programs the company’s brand has created two foundations: Whole Kids Foundation and Whole Planet Foundation. These two foundations were created to help communities. Whole Kids is concerned with helping schools to inspire families for the improvement of children’s wellness and nutrition (b-ethics 1). On the other hand, Whole Planet focuses on creating economic partnership with the less fortunate in developing countries (1).
It is stated in their mission statement Whole Foods recognizes that child obesity is a growing ethical issue (B-Ethics 3). Whole Foods aims to end childhood obesity by providing food that is organic and natural. Organic food is defined as those produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents (Oxford Dictionaries). Organic food lowers exposure to pesticides. It is important to Whole Foods to inform children of organic food. That is why the company formed Whole Kids Foundation as a growing concern for children’s health and ways to improve their overall health by cooperating (b-ethics 4) . In the program, staff provides fresh and organic food for kids to learn about growing food and develop understanding of the connection between healthy food and a healthy body.
Moreover, Whole Planet Foundation recognizes the issue of poverty. It aims to alleviate the poverty in developing communities and create economic partnerships with developing world countries that supply their stores with product through microcredit loans. They provide grants that microfinance institutions in Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East (B-ethics 5). Every dollar goes directly to those in need. Also, in effort to become more in tune with the local community, Whole foods created Whole Trade Guarantee. These are items that supply more money to the producers, ensure better wages and working condition for workers, and assure that sounds environmental practices are being executed (b-ethics 5). When customers buy these products, one percent of the retail value goes to the Whole Planet Foundation.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Another component of Whole Foods’s overall success is corporate social responsibility. Corporate social responsibility is the obligation of an organization to serve the interests of society in addition to its own interests (Schermerhorn 93). Currently, Whole Foods is operating at a superior level of corporate social responsibility. Whole Food is serious about bettering communities, local and abroad. In addition to the Whole Kids Foundation, Whole Planet...
