Midwest Grown: Supporting Our Local Farmers

Supporting local growers and food producers is very important to Whole Foods Market. Warm-weather months are the height of the growing season in the Midwest; it’s the time to enjoy a bountiful selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Eating local helps people appreciate the flavors and variety of each season. Produce that has less distance to travel can remain on the vine or branch longer for a fresher, more flavorful result with lower transportation costs and a reduced impact on the environment.

In addition, buying local contributes to the success of the local growers and economy. With less shipping and handling, each purchase means more money goes directly to the local grower and stays within the local economy, supporting sustainable family farms, which might not otherwise be able to continue operating.

We’re proud to support and offer these local farmer’s products at Whole Foods Market Midwest locations.

Our Growers

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  Rebecca Bloom

  Blooms Organic

  Crescent, IA

  Blooms Organic concentrates on berry fruits, culinary herbs and a large variety of vegetables, including tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, shallots, onions, Asian greens and root crops.

  "It's a time for extreme mindfulness and living a sustainable life."

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  Don and Anthony Cinzori

  Cinzori Farms

  Ceresco, MI

  Cinzori Farms grows a wide variety of produce, including zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes, starter plants and winter squash.

  "We greatly value our customer relationships because it helps us explain how our food is grown and get feedback on its taste."

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  Lee and Laurie Arboreal

  Eaters' Guild

  Bangor, MI

  Eaters' Guild grows nearly every crop possible in southeastern Michigan, including a wide variety of cooking greens, lettuce, carrots, kale, squash and melons.

  "Farming feels good. Each year is a learning curve. We still believe we are in the journeyman's phase — enjoying every step of the way."

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  Chris Eckert

  Eckert Orchards

  Belleville, IL

  Eckert Orchards produces peaches, apples, strawberries, blackberries, pumpkins, tomatoes and Christmas trees.

  "We are unique because we have hundreds of thousands of visitors at the farm to pick their own fruit. We are the largest pick-your-own farm in the country."

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  Staff

  Featherstone Farm

  Rushford, MN

  Although Featherstone Farms grows a variety of organic vegetables, it is best known throughout the Midwest for its rich-flavored heirloom tomatoes.

  "Our favorite part of organic farming is doing our best to encourage and sustain life. From the microorganisms in the soil to the beneficial insects, you work with what is present rather than manipulate it."

  Featherstone Farms is a Local Producer Loan recipient.

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  Tim Rogers

  GreenLeaf Farms

  Omaha, NE

  GreenLeaf Farms concentrates on gourmet garlic, beans, onions, potatoes, greens, herbs and flowers.

  "We see organic production as the way to ensure healthy and secure food that the consumer can have faith in."

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  Richard de Wilde

  Harmony Valley Farm

  Viroqua, WI

  In the fall and winter, Harmony Valley Farm specializes in unusual root crops (such as burdock and Jerusalem artichokes). In the warmer months salad mix, baby spinach and bunched greens dominate the fields. Yet most famous are their amazing late-summer watermelons and cantaloupes.

  What's Richard's favorite part about organic farming? "Knowing we have a positive influence on so many lives by providing delicious and nutritious food and the opportunity for continued learning."

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  The Lee Family

  Lee Farms

  Truxton, MO

  Lee Farms specializes in a wide array of items, including corn, wheat, soybeans, Kiko goats, three types of tomatoes, yellow and green zucchini, cucumbers, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, oriental and conventional eggplant and four types of squash.

  "We are passionate about what we grow, how we grow it, and making it available to your family."

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  The Wedeberg Family from Gays Wells

  Organic Valley

  Lafarge, WI

  Organic Valley products include organic milk, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce, juice and meat.

  What makes Organic Valley special? "We care for the earth, while bringing our customers fresh and delicious, high-quality, organic food."

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  ShadowBrook Farm

  Lincoln, NE

  ShadowBrook Farm focuses on specialty produce, herbs, cut flowers and artisan goat cheese.

  "Farming is something you cannot get out of your system. We get an itch to begin planting every spring."

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  Tipi Produce

  Evansville, WI

  Tipi Produce grows more than 50 vegetable crops including their number one seller: carrots. Other crops include lettuce, peppers, zucchini, summer squash, broccoli, melons and bunching greens.

  "We like the relationships we've cultivated with our customers. Our carrots have developed quite a following. Customers call the farm to tell us that their kids will only eat our carrots!"

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  Tree-Mendus Fruit

  Eau Claire, MI

  Tree-Mendus Fruit is known for its many varieties of fruit, including cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums and pears. However, they are especially known for more than 250 different types of apples.

  "We enjoy meeting and knowing the people who eat our food."