Whole Foods Market’s 45 stores in northern California and Reno will donate five percent of its sales on Wednesday, July 26, to fund entrepreneurship grants for a select group of small businesses in the region. Tahoe Trail Bar, a vegan snack bar marketed to outdoor enthusiasts, is one of the organizations chosen to receive the coveted grant.
“Our team is grateful to be a recipient of the Whole Foods Local Producer Grant,” remarked Wes King, owner of Tahoe Trail Bar. “This is a key opportunity for us to both increase brand awareness and tell the Tahoe Trail Bar story, as well as to streamline our sales process in the Whole Foods grocery channel.”
The Local Producer Grant is designed to support the growth of businesses bringing innovative, high quality natural products to the marketplace. Recipients offer best-in-category quality, present an ingredient in a new way, and/or show a strong commitment to a mission or environmental cause.
“The Local Producer Grant program is an opportunity for Whole Foods Market to give back to small businesses that are working hard to make an impact in northern California and Reno communities through their unique products and services,” said Rob Twyman, regional president, Whole Foods Market, northern California and Reno. “Local producers play a major role in what makes shopping at Whole Foods Market exciting, delicious and truly reflective of the communities we serve. We are proud to continue supporting this program for the fourth consecutive year.”
“We plan on maximizing our use of the money provided to further our relationship with Whole Foods and to get more of our delicious bars out there,” King added.
Tahoe Trail Bar plans to use the grant to pursue certifications with the Whole Foods inventory software and the Non-GMO Project. Non-GMO certification involves ingredient audits and printing new packaging. In addition, Tahoe Trail Bar will invest in a higher level of promotion and demo support through the Whole Foods Demo Program as well as offering increased discounts to Whole Foods customers.
Tahoe Trail Bar started in a small coffee shop on the south shore of Lake Tahoe 22 years ago. King and the team at Tahoe Trail Bar have been working to win the Whole Foods Local Producer Grant for several years.
“We are very proud of our Reno-Tahoe roots and want to share our bars with more people. You can help us do that by shopping at a Whole Foods near you on Wednesday, July 26,” added King.
