2025 Community First Grant | $898,837

Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture | Alexandria VA

The Community First Grant program supports nonprofits focused on long-term fresh, healthy food access and nutrition education that are engaged with Whole Foods Market Team Members in the U.S. and Canada. This includes community gardens, mobile markets, healthy cooking classes and more. This year, we funding 90 organizations, totaling $898,837!

Get to Know Old and New Partners

This year, Geri Feldman, a 22-year Whole Foods Market veteran, nominated Agricultural Institute of Marin as a first time Community First Grant recipient after interacting with their mobile market truck “Rollin’ Root” at her local farmer market. The Rollin’ Root is uniquely able to serve areas that have been historically excluded from access to healthy food. Their Community First Grant will support the Rollin’ Root Ambassador program, which engages community members in sharing information with neighbors about the affordable produce found at the mobile market.

Lee Robinson, a 15-year Whole Foods Market Store Support Team Member, nominated Sustainable Food Center (SFC) for their fourth Community First Grant! For 50 years, Sustainable Food Center has been on a mission to improve access to fresh, nutritious food for all Texans. Their Community First Grant will support bilingual cooking classes, ensuring consistent delivery of nutrition education.