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John Mackey has announced that Whole Foods Market will make $10 million
available annually for low-interest loans to small, local agricultural
producers. Whole Foods Market has recently begun the design and initial
implementation of the loan program. Applications are now being accepted
(see instructions below). Farmers and artisinal food producers can apply
for up to a $50,000 LOAN for expansion and capital development projects.

If you are considering applying for a loan, please remember that loan
recipients must: 

*         Meet Whole Foods Market's Quality Standards
<http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/index.html> 

*         Use funds for expansion, not operating expenses (e.g., buy
more animals or new equipment/infrastructure, expand crops) 

*         Meet Whole Foods Market's Animal Compassion Standards
<http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/issues/animalwelfare/index.html>  (if
meat or dairy producers)

*         Have a viable business plan and adequate cash flow to service
debt

*         For more details, please download the Program Overview
<http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/locallygrown/lplp/programoverv
iew.pdf> . General questions can be directed to the program coordinators
at <a href="/cgi-bin/wa?LOGON=A3%3Dind0704%26L%3DMICH-ORGANIC%26E%3Dquoted-printable%26P%3D552497%26B%3D------_%253D_NextPart_002_01C78774.E2C7D42B%26T%3Dtext%252Fplain%3B%2520charset%3Dus-ascii" >[log in to unmask]</a>


To get the loan application go to: 


Application Procedure


1.      Download and complete the loan application
<http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/locallygrown/lplp/application.
pdf> .

2.	If you do not already know your regional loan contact, send your
loan application to <a href="/cgi-bin/wa?LOGON=A3%3Dind0704%26L%3DMICH-ORGANIC%26E%3Dquoted-printable%26P%3D552497%26B%3D------_%253D_NextPart_002_01C78774.E2C7D42B%26T%3Dtext%252Fplain%3B%2520charset%3Dus-ascii" >[log in to unmask]</a>, and we will forward it to your
regional loan contact.

 

 

Vicki Morrone

Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist

Michigan State University

C.S. Mott Sustainable Food Systems

303 Natural Resources Bldg.

East Lansing, MI 48824

517-353-3542

517-282-3557 (cell)

517-353-3834 (fax)

http://www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu/

http://www.mottgroup.msu.edu/

 

 


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