whole foods market® team member volunteer program

WHOLE FOODS MARKET®
TEAM MEMBER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
MOROCCO 2015 SUMMARY & IMPACT REPORT
WHOLE FOODS MARKET®
TEAM MEMBER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
Whole Planet Foundation® (WPF) funds microlending
Through the WFM Team Member Volunteer Program,
programs in Morocco where Frontier sources essential
oils through Biolandes to create products which are
sold in Whole Foods Market® (WFM) stores under the
WFM gives Team Members the unique opportunity to
travel abroad with WPF to learn about WPF and meet
microcredit clients, see where and how WFM products
brand name Aura Cacia, a brand of WFM supplier
partner Frontier. WPF is a WFM non-profit whose
mission is to alleviate poverty by funding microlending
programs where WFM sources products as a way to
are grown, provide community service, experience and
learn from other cultures, and challenge themselves by
exploring exciting countries around the globe.
alleviate poverty and give back to our global
communities.
VISIT WITH WPF SUPPLIER PARTNER
FRONTIER AND BIOLANDES WHO SUPPLIES
FRONTIER BRAND AURA CACIA WITH
ESSENTIAL OILS IN KHEMISSET
VISIT WITH MICROCREDIT CLIENTS OF
INMAA, WHOLE PLANET FOUNDATION’S
MICROLENDING PARTNER IN MOROCCO
IN OARZAZATE
ARRIVAL IN CASABLANCA
CULTURE AND TOURISM IN
MARRAKECH
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT WITH
BARAKA COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
IN TIJHZA
WFM TEAM MEMBER VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
TRAVEL IN MOROCCO
MOROCCO 2015 SUMMARY & IMPACT REPORT
11 WFM Team Member Volunteers traveled to Morocco to volunteer in Tijhza, a community in the
Atlas Mountains that was severely f looded in 2014. Morocco is where WFM supplier partner Frontier
sources essential oils for their products sold in WFM stores under the brand name Aura Cacia. The
volunteers rebuilt irrigation systems and beautified a home by painting the interior. They visited with
microcredit clients of WPF partner INMAA and learned about the production of essential oils for Aura
Cacia. Team Members took Spanish lessons and learned about Moroccan culture, food, traditions,
music and dance and celebrated Eid with a Berber community in the Atlas Mountains.
TEAM
Aileen Adler (Southwest Region, Lamar Store)
GROUP COORDINATOR
Connor Frey
Bimini Hayes (Northeast Region, Greenwich Store)
Chris Naffziger (Southern Pacific Region, Kailua Store)
Duane Greeff (United Kingdom, Regional Office)
MOROCCO GUIDES
Ismael Bizzou
Kristen Tantarelli (Northern California Region, Coddington Store)
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Kyle Lemus (Pacific Northwest Region, Kitsilano Store)
Andy McKee
Lisa Orssaud Mid-Atlantic, North Wales Store)
Lukasz Karwowskki (Global Office)
SaraJane Mense (South Region, Charleston Store)
Sarah Young (Rocky Mountain Region, Colfax Store)
Tommy Navarre (Global Office)
WFM TEAM MEMBER
VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
MANAGER
Genie Bolduc
2015 MOROCCO ITINERARY
SEPTEMBER 15 - 29
ITINERARY- 2 WEEKS
Day 1 - Tuesday September 15 - Arrive in Casablanca, sightseeing old medina and the city walls, then visit the Quartiers des
Habous - the new medina
Day 2 - Wednesday September 16 - Khemisset to visit WFM supplier partner Frontier and Biolandes Maroc, from whom they
source essential oils & natural extracts
Day 3 - Thursday September 17 - In Ourrzazate, visit World Heritage Site Ait Ben Haddou, meet WPF microlending partner
INMAA staff, lunch at the hotel of a microcredit client, evening cooking class
Day 4 - Friday September 18 - Visit WPF microlending partner INMAA and drive to Tijhza
Day 5 - Saturday September 19 - Community service with Baraka Community Partnership in Tijhza
Day 6 - Sunday September 20 - Community service with Baraka Community Partnership in Tijhza
Day 7 - Monday September 21 - Community service with Baraka Community Partnership in Tijhza
Day 8 - Tuesday September 22 - Community service with Baraka Community Partnership in Tijhza
Day 9 - Wednesday September 23 - Community service with Baraka Community Partnership in Tijhza
Day 10 - Thursday September 24 - Celebrated Eid holiday with the community in Tijhza
Day 11 - Friday September 25 - Say farewell to the community, community visits, hamam (baths) and hiking in Tijhza
Day 12 - Saturday September 26 - Marrakech and dine in the Djemaa el Fna, the open air central-square
Day 13 - Sunday September 27 - Marrakech guided tour, Bahia Palace, Tiskiwin museum, Saadian Tombs, Majorelle Garden
Day 14 - Monday September 28 - Transport to Casablanca
Day 15 – Tuesday September 29 - Depart for home
Staying in a Kasbah in Tijhza in the Atlas Mountains
THE EXPERIENCE
Sightseeing in Casablanca
Eating delicious pomegranates and figs
Repairing irrigation ditches
Hiking to the worksite
Celebrating Eid with the community
Visiting spice markets
FOOD
Team Members were
introduced to traditional
tagines and enjoyed a
Moroccan meal made by
Habiba a microcredit client
of INMAA, Whole Planet
Foundation’s microlending
partner in Morocco. The
team visited local markets
to see the plethora of
spices, olives and fruits
TRADITION
The volunteers learned
the ritual of making and
the correct way to pour
the sweet Moroccan tea
that is ceremonially
shared with you by
welcoming hosts. They
also had the good
fortune to visit the
hamam where they were
vigorously bathed in a
communal atmosphere.
CULTURE
The team visited
mosques, museums,
market, the famous souk
i(market) in Marrakech
and Ait Ben Haddou, a
Unesco World Heritage
Site. They learned lives
in the mountains with
Berber people and got to
experience their music
and language. They even
learned about rug
making from microcredit
clients.
WPF MOROCCO MICROCREDIT PARTNER
INMAA
47%
2,504
93.80%
FEMALE
CLIENTS
WPF SUPPORTED CLIENTS AS OF
SEPTEMBER 2015
REPAYMENT
RATE
History: INMAA was started in 1999 under an initiative of a local Moroccan
NGO called AMSED (Moroccan Association for Solidarity and Development)
divided though between group and individual lending as well as between
men and women.
which had long focused on vocational training and organization of microentrepreneurs in Morocco. INMAA formally launched field operations in
In 2015 INMAA was the Africa/Middle East MFI of the year due to its unique
drive to reach rural communities in a country in which most microfinance is
2001 as an independent NGO, with the support of USAID and the
government trust fund for microfinance (the Hassan II Fund). During this
heavily focused on large urban centers. One unique way that INMAA
accomplishes this is by posting teams of two-four in small branches located
period INMAA wanted to ensure the start up of an institution which would be
able to reach out to rural zones and particularly the furthest southern regions
in small communities that can form close relationships with these rural
communities that may be generally distrustful of formal financial services or
in Morocco where historically marginalized peoples live in small rural
communities. INMAA received technical assistance and some capital
services. By keeping the branches small and managed by a roving regional
director the MFI can keep operational costs low but maintain strong ties to
support from Catholic Relief Services in building its initial reach among
southern communities and today boasts over 7,200 borrowers and has
their rural client base. This balance of sustainability and social mission is
what WPF strives to support- and INMAA is one of our most affordable
continued to avoid the easier to manage and access urban loans for the
most excluded communities in rural Morocco.
service providers!
WPF Partnership:
WPF supports both INMAA’s group and individual loans as they are all
socially guaranteed by either fellow borrowers or outside supporters of the
Whole Planet Foundation began funding INMAA-Morocco in December 2010
with a 0% interest loan of $369,000 to reach new clients. In December
client (not client assets or legal securities held by the MFI such as titles or
payroll deductions). INMAA’s Director says that in reality any co-guarantor
2013 after successful completion of this first project WPF invested a further
$500,000 to help INMAA build up their presence in the communities east of
agreements carry little weight in getting repayments, especially for an MFI
working in rural areas like INMAA (unless you can prove that the client
Marrakech and add a further 1,000 borrowers
Total WPF Authorized funds: $369,000 (G1)+$500,000(G2) = $869,000
literally just took the money and ran with it)- and that the burden is on the
MFI staff to maintain good relations and carry out a realistic loan
Total WPF Funds Disbursed to INMAA Morocco: $769,000
Whole Planet supports the socially guaranteed loan product of INMAA in 7
assessment. Their portfolio is 60% rural clients, and the rest are in the small
towns of Morocco (they don’t derive any portfolio from the major city centers
branches across 2 regions of Central Morocco.
in Morocco such as Marrakesh, Rabat, Casablanca, etc.). INMAA’s
repayment rate is about 98% which is considered very good and above the
INMAA Morocco’s Approach:
The mission of INMAA is to support the growth of micro-enterprises in the
industry standard of 97%.
southern portions of Morocco with access to credit services that will
strengthen ongoing micro-enterprise activities or encourage new micro-
The INMAA Credit Agents are trained to form close relationships with their
clients, and often collect/disburse in the field though clients also make
enterprises by the population. They prioritize rural zones, increasing access
to credit for women and maintaining group lending approaches that
transactions at the branches.
empower those without a co-signer on their loan. INMAA’s portfolio is
HABIBA: HOTEL, RESTAURANT AND CLOTHING
Staff from INMAA, Whole Planet Foundation’s micro lending partner in Morocco, took the Team Member volunteers for tea at a microcredit
client home and to lunch at Habiba’s bed and breakfast. Habiba is a client of INMAA and runs a home stay. She welcomed the team for a
lunch of tagine, cold rice salad and assorted vegetables and a desert of delicious cookies. Habiba encouraged the team to shop in her small
boutique, situated in a room in the upper floor of her hotel where she had clothing and rugs for sale.
WPF STAFF
The volunteers visited the INMAA branch office in
Ourrzazate and spoke with INMAA staff about the process
INMAA WEAVER’S COOP
In Ouarzazate, Team Member volunteers were taken to INMAA’s Weaver’s
of microlending. WPF’s Brian Doe, Regional Director for
Cooperative. There they were introduced to microcredit clients working in the
cooperative and taught how to weave rugs. Many of INMAA’s clients raise the
Africa and the Middle East, traveled with the team adding
sheep, sheer them, dye the wool and make beautiful hand woven rugs to sell.
great depth to their experience and how much they
learned about microcredit and WPF’s support of INMAA.
The microcredit clients even took the time to show the individual Team Members
the weaving process and invited them to help weave a rug.
FRONTIER
\
WHOLE FOODS MARKET SUPPLIER PARTNER
Information from Frontier Co-op:
Frontier began as a two-person operation in 1976 in a cabin along
the Cedar River in Eastern Iowa. We have grown steadily since
then to become a major supplier in the booming natural products
industry. This outstanding performance throughout the years
reflects our close harmony with both industry trends and the values
of natural products consumers.
The business was originally structured as a cooperative that
supplied herbs and spices to its members, all of whom were
cooperatives engaged in retailing natural foods or cooperative
buying clubs. Being a co-op itself helped propel Frontier into
national distribution in rapidly expanding natural foods "co-op
movement.”
Frontier also embraced many of the positive ideals underlying the
popularity of co-ops. The early management envisioned a
workplace where employees would enjoy their work, families would
come first, the quality of products would be unsurpassed, organics
The Simply Organic brand, established in 2001, quickly established
the same kind of leadership in packaged seasonings as Aura Cacia
has in aromatherapy. Simply Organic became the fastest growing
brand in natural seasonings and the leading brand of the
explosively growing category of organic seasonings. The Simply
Organic 1% Fund was established in 2002 giving back 1% of all
Simply Organic sales in support of organic agriculture and
education.
Beyond the fact that Frontier has listened attentively to its
customers and responded wisely to trends and changes in the
natural products industry, we have the advantage of sharing some
basic values with the people buying our products.
Frontier led the industry in recognizing the value of organic
agriculture and promoting organically grown products. The market
for organics continues to grow, and Frontier is the established
leader in organic selection and quality.
would play a key role in the business and social responsibility
would be inseparable from their actions. These values have been
Frontier’s stated mission is to “Nourish people and planet. Always
sustained—and have contributed significantly to Frontier’s success
decisions about how we interact with our employees, customers
and suppliers. It serves as a driving force toward our passion to
—throughout its entire history.
In 1978 Frontier bought and converted a grocery store building in
Fairfax, Iowa, into a 5,200 square foot operations facility.
During 1988 Frontier introduced a line of packaged spices. This
be Fair.” This statement helps guide the company in making
improve the lives of the farmers and their communities around the
world that supply us with high quality herbs, spices and essential
oils.
100% certified organic whole bean coffees. Frontier responded to
Frontier was also a trendsetter in employee relations, building a
loyal, efficient workforce from the beginning with sincere
this accelerating trend, capitalizing on its early success and
communication and respect for employees at all levels of the
bolstering its product line with the 1994 acquisition of Aura Cacia, a
organization. Innovative programs such as subsidized on-site
leading aromatherapy and natural personal care products company.
childcare and meal programs, established over two decades ago,
Aura Cacia products include a full line of aromatherapy items such
led to national recognition for workplace accomplishments at the
as essential oils, massage and body oils, mineral baths, and
lotions. Frontier has grown the line into the clear aromatherapy
same time Frontier was cited as one of the country’s fastest-
market leader in natural health outlets nationwide, adding many
The adherence to the company’s ideals regarding customer
innovative new products. Aura Cacia sells a wide variety of certified
service, product quality, social and environmental responsibility and
organic products and has created the Aura Cacia Organic 1% Fund
employee relations are intrinsic elements in Frontier’s impressive
to give back 1% of organic sales to supplier communities.
success over the years.
was followed in 1991 with the introduction of a line of gourmet,
growing companies.
For more information: Frontier Co-op LEARNING ABOUT ESSENTIAL OIL PRODUCTION
Jennifer Ferring of Frontier and Philippe of Biolandes hosted the team in learning about essential oils produced in Morocco to be sold through
Frontier’s body care products under the Aura Cacia brand. The team experienced sights and smells of the whole process from growing the
herbs to picking them and rendering them through distillation. Frontier contributes to several social initiatives and is giving Whole Planet
Foundation $100,000 this year to fund microlending programs, having supported the Foundation for xxxxx years.
BARAKA COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
Information from Baraka Community Partnerships:
The origins of Baraka started in Tijhza back in 2000 when
people they are helping. This we find helps to create long
Andy Mckee, one of Baraka’s Co-Founders started supporting
lasting relationships between our donors and our recipients
the village with various small scale projects such as installing
but it also crucially engages people with our charity for the
a water pipe, building school toilets and providing clothes and
long term.
school supplies for the village children. Baraka officially
It was a real pleasure for Baraka to host the Whole Foods
formed as a registered UK charity in 2008 (and in Canada in
Market Team Member Volunteer Program for the first time in
2013) and has now developed to support about 40 projects in
September 2015 at the village of Tijhza in Morocco where it
the four different countries of Morocco, Zambia, Laos and
all began for us. Tijhza had been hit by some savage storms
India.
in 2014 and the support of WFM provided a real boost to the
Baraka’s ethos is one of helping communities and individuals
reconstruction process. The feedback from the community
to help themselves. We work at grass roots level and tend to
after the trip has been fantastic and the group are most
reach out to organizations which are getting no or little
certainly welcome to return in the future.
support from other organizations or their Government. We
Baraka would like to thank Whole Foods Market for their
don’t believe in cash handouts but we do believe in long term
support for the village and we very much hope to work with
partnerships with our chosen communities (hence the name!).
them again in the future – whether back in Morocco or at our
The majority of our work is in education; however we also
other volunteer destinations in Zambia and Laos.
have projects in healthcare, water and sanitation and income
If you would like to keep an eye on what we get up to around
generation. We also have a passion for environmental issues
the world then either “Like” our Facebook page or go to
and try to incorporate this into our projects where possible.
www.barakacommunity.com. You can also sign up for one of
Baraka has grown and developed around the volunteer trips
our regular enewsletters at a link on the website home page.
that we have organized to our projects. We strongly believe
that it is important to connect donors with projects and the
http://www.barakacommunity.com
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
When Team Member volunteers visited Morocco they were welcomed into
the community of Tighza where Baraka Community Partnerships has built
strong relationships. This provided the volunteers with the opportunity for
total immersion, spending their waking hours learning and working with
members of the community on community service projects funded by
Whole Foods Market through the WFM Team Member Volunteer Program.
THE PRODUCT
Team Members learned about
essential oils sourced in Morocco by
WFM supplier partner Frontier
through their brand Aura Cacia. They
got to see how they are grown,
harvested and processed.
THE PROJECTS
THE COMMUNITY
restore irrigation ditches and repair a
home that was damaged in severe
flooding.
were gracious hosts, inviting the
Team Members into their homes,
sharing tea with them and inviting
them to participate in their Eid
The Team Member volunteers worked
with members of the community to
Members of the community of Tijhza
celebrations.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
The community of Tijhza in the Atlas mountains is a very remote community that suffered from severe flooding in 2014, leading to helicopter
evacuation, washed out roads, destroyed irrigation ditches crucial to agricultural well-being and damaged many homes in the community.The
opportunity to live and work amongst community members in such a remote community accessible only by foot or 4 x 4 vehicle was an
amazing opportunity to be immersed in the community.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Baraka Community Partnership has been working in Tighza in 2000. 2015 was the first year for the Whole Foods Market Team Member
Volunteer Program to direct funds and labor to this charming and welcoming community. An added benefit is that WFM funds were met,
doubling impact in communities where Baraka works.
MOROCCO
Casablanca
INMAA Weaving Coop
Moroccan delicacies
Friends for life
Community
TOMMY
AILEEN
“Helping the villagers repair and restore the irrigation system after the
devastating floods from the prior year was very rewarding. It was so clear
that this water system is critical to the success of the crops and a life line
to the villagers who do not have running water in their homes. Working
“I loved experiencing first hand Habiba
side by side with the villagers was inspirational and heartwarming.”
homestay/ bed and breakfast facility for
tourists. Great to see the effect of the
loans first hand!”
talking about and showing us how she
used some of her microloan to restore
her home and buy beds to run it as a
KYLE
“The program is a great way to get Team Members excited about Whole
Planet Foundation. Every year we hear “we're doing such and such to
raise money for whole planet” but to actually see the effects of that work is
humbling. I learned a lot about the country and history of a country I knew
so little about. I will treasure all the friendships I made on the trip, not just
with other WFM Team Members but with the people in the village.”
SARAJANE
“My experience on the WFM TMVP truly exceeded my expectations. This
trip was unlike any other I've ever been on, and it moved me in ways other
adventures never have. I was amazed at the way that the 11 WFM TMs
came together pretty immediately and were an incredible team. The
highlight was absolutely our time in the village. We were so warmly
welcomed, and truly got the opportunity to immerse ourselves into the life
and culture.”
LUKASZ
“This was an amazing experience, one that I will never forget. I made new
LINDA
friends with WFM team members and villagers from Tijhza. For a short
period of time I was able to experience a different way of life and learn
about a new culture. I especially enjoyed meeting the micro loan recipients
and hearing their success stories. I also enjoyed the supplier visit and
learning about the process of how essential oils are made and eventually
brought to our stores. I will treasure this experience for the rest of my life.”
DUANE
“Sure the village got the biggest help
from us but because we invested so
much of our time, our energy and
resources into rebuilding, but in return
(unknowingly at that time) we got
something priceless out of the
experience : we developed really
strong friendships within the group and
with the villagers. The microcredit
clients we met along the way showed
us how to be resourceful and filled us
with lasting impressions of inspiration
and admiration. This trip was to go
beyond myself to help others in need
and it was also a time for reflection on
my own life and putting it in
perspective of the lives of the villagers
and microcredit clients that we met.”
BIMINI
“Best 2 weeks of my life. It pushed me
mentally and physically and humbled
SARAH
me. I got to meet other TM's from
around the country and the UK. They
and the people I met there are life
long friends and I will never for them
“A priceless experience I'll remember for years to come.”
or the experiences we shared.”
2015 MOROCCO WFM TMVP IMPACT
11 TEAM MEMBERS
3 MICROCREDIT
CLIENTS MET
1 HOME REPAINTED
AND BEAUTIFIED
HUNDREDS OF
ROCKS MOVED
4 DAYS OF
REPAIRING
IRRIGATION
DITCHES
MORE THAN 11
LIVES CHANGED
FOREVER