Whole Foods Arroyo Parkway Donates Over $6,000 to Pasadena Waldorf School Learning Garden

Hundreds of Pasadena Waldorf School (PWS) parents, students, teachers, and community members shopped and dined until closing at Whole Foods Market Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena in support of the 5% Community Giving Day on March 24. Whole Foods selected Pasadena Waldorf School as the recipient for its 5% Day to support the creation of a 5,000 square foot learning garden at the school’s new Mendocino Street campus in Altadena. Sarah Roberts, Marketing Team Leader for Whole Foods, recently presented Pasadena Waldorf School with a check for $6,153, representing proceeds from the store’s 5% Day.

Twice a year Whole Foods Market Arroyo Parkway holds a 5% Day, also known as Whole Foods Community Giving Day, in which 5% of the total net store sales are donated to a local nonprofit community partner. “It is important to Whole Foods that we are more than just a place to shop for food, but rather are an active community partner that supports the local programs and organizations that align with our values and passions,” said Whole Foods’ Sarah Roberts.

“From the day our school acquired the new campus property on Mendocino Street it has been our vision to create a garden that can be used in a myriad of ways including teaching multiple subjects for children of all ages, hosting community gardening workshops, and providing healthy produce for our students. Whole Foods Market Arroyo Parkway has helped make this dream a reality,” said Pasadena Waldorf School Development Officer Jon Brody. “We deeply appreciate this generous donation for our school’s new garden. PWS has enjoyed a mutually beneficial community partnership with Whole Foods Market Arroyo Parkway for several years, including their in-kind support for our annual Elves’ Faire, and our school promoting events and activities that appeal to families taking place at the store.”

In addition to Whole Foods, community partners have supported the school’s garden efforts. Recology donated and delivered over 10 tons of compost for the garden, popular grocery delivery service Instacart created a special code for Waldorf families to use who were unable to make it to the store on 5% Day, and in the fall artisanal restaurant Pizza of Venice in Altadena will be adding the “PWS Pizza” to its menu, featuring seasonal produce from the garden with proceeds given back to the school.

In the few weeks since 5% Day, the garden has undergone an amazing transformation. The first vegetables and fruit trees have been planted, irrigation systems installed, and a stone pathway constructed. Several of the lower and high school classes have begun working in and utilizing the garden, learning about creating a sustainable garden from the ground up.

For more information about Whole Foods Market Arroyo Parkway, visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/arroyo.

For more information about Pasadena Waldorf School, visit http://www.pasadenawaldorf.org/.