Whole Foods Market has announced the winners of its eighth annual Supplier Awards, honoring suppliers for their outstanding achievements in 2019 and ongoing commitments to quality, environmental stewardship, organic integrity, innovation, purpose and partnership. This year’s honorees include local, regional and national brands across all product categories. The winners were named at a reception held in Austin, Texas, on Feb. 18.
“We’re honored to work with and celebrate the remarkable contributions of these suppliers that embody Whole Foods Market’s core values and consistently raise the bar in our industry,” said Don Clark, senior vice president of non-perishables merchandising at Whole Foods Market. “Their dedication to excellence, quality, innovation and partnership is critical to our success and delivering on our mission to nourish people and the planet.”
This year’s award recipients include:
Del Rey Avocado Co.: for exceptional partnership and attention to service, which have made the company a top avocado supplier. In addition to always being readily available and providing transparency, the Del Rey team is committed to high quality and social responsibility by creating economically viable business relationships, utilizing technologies that minimize waste, and practicing environmentally sound agricultural practices in growing their avocadoes.
“It was a great night for Del Rey Avocado and our partnership with Whole Foods, truly a humbling experience for the entire Del Rey Family,” said Bob Lucy, president of Del Rey Avocado.
The family-owned company has a long history in being an outstanding corporate citizen as demonstrated by a long-standing commitment to the Fair Trade Certified program, Del Rey Avocado is a leader when it comes to social responsibility. Patrick Lucy, vice president of sales, said, “When you choose to purchase Fair Trade products, you are helping families in Mexico improve their lives. Workers are able to earn fair wages, work in safe conditions, protect the environment and keep their kids in school. It’s an easy way to support the hard-working people who grow the products consumers love.”
Braga Fresh Family Farms: for providing fresh, high-quality produce and offering excellent service. Farming from the Salinas Valley to Yuma, AZ, for three generations, Braga Fresh quickly became a key supplier for Whole Foods Market in the wet vegetable category, collaborating with us to refine its offerings and demonstrating consistent engagement and commitment to partnership.
Suntreat (parent company AC Foods): for its commitment to selling the highest quality citrus and practicing a win-win partnership. Notably, Suntreat worked with Whole Foods Market to create a remarkable retail program for the widely popular Sumo Citrus variety since it was first launched. Suntreat is also a trusted supplier of a number of other conventional and organic citrus varieties.
Fair Trade USA: for its tireless efforts to improve working conditions and the environment. As one of the third-party certifiers of Whole Foods Market’s Whole Trade Guarantee program, Fair Trade USA is critical to ensuring that Whole Foods Market offers products that support ethical trade, working conditions and the environment.
