Whole Foods and Young Farmers Coalition Launch $1 Million Fund

Whole Foods Market and the National Young Farmers Coalition launched the Next Generation Farmer Fund to support beginning farmers under the age of 40. The initiative targets those employing organic, regenerative, and climate-smart farming practices, aiming to raise over $1 million to help young farmers overcome barriers such as student debt, high land costs, and limited access to capital.

The fund provides grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 along with technical assistance. Whole Foods Market committed to matching contributions from other food and agriculture businesses dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000. To generate additional funding in August, the retailer is donating 1% of revenue from sales of its Berry Chantilly cake.

The launch coincides with the release of the Whole Foods Market 2025 Impact Report. This report details broader sustainability efforts, including a partnership with Mill to reduce food waste and the distribution of $13 million to children's nutrition programs.