Improving Lives Through Whole Trade Month: Whole Foods GIVEAWAY

Congrats to Jessica our winner for the Whole Foods $50.00 Giftcard to celebrate Whole Trade Month! As of Saturday, 10/27/2012 this GIVEAWAY is now closed.  Thank you all for participating, and we encourage you to visit your local Whole Foods and check out their Whole Trade food and products.  We will be sharing more about our food and product experience soon too.

-Mad Max and Family

Hi Friends,

How was your week?

Ours was busy as we are preparing for Sadie's arrival on Monday (and gearing up for our last weekend as a "Family of 3 (plus Super Fetus)."  Mommy and I have to apologize for missing a few posts this week.

But we've also been enjoying some  Whole Trade products this month, and we want to share them with you through a great GIVEAWAY from Whole Foods (information all the way at the bottom of the post).

October is Whole Trade Month at Whole Foods

From Whole Foods: Did you know that by making one simple purchase, you can improve someone’s life?  Buying Whole Trade® products ensures fair treatment and equitable pay for workers, more money for hardworking producers through social premiums and sound environmental practices in the developing countries where the products are grown.  And if that’s not enough, one percent of product sales are donated to the Whole Planet Foundation for poverty alleviation.

Whole Foods Market is celebrating October as Whole Trade Guarantee month – a time to appreciate our shoppers and producers for doing the right thing. Starting Oct. 1, shoppers can go online, sign up for newsletters and then vote for Whole Foods Market to donate $1 (up to $20,000) to one of their key Whole Trade Guarantee producer partners:

· Tanzania School Project - Funds will help support students, teachers, schools and education opportunities in Tanzania.

· The Elite Flower Foundation (Fundación Fernando Borrero Caicedo) - A foundation dedicated to the well being of flower workers and their families in Colombia, focusing on education, housing, recreation, and family development.  For a video with more information Elite, click here.

· EARTH University – A Costa Rican agricultural university that cultivates leaders who will contribute to the sustainable development of their home countries and construct a prosperous and just society.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Whole Foods was kind enough to give us a basket of Whole Trade goodies that we've been enjoying this month (and we'll be sure to share our experience and opinions with you).  The basket included: Whole Trade bananas, pineapple, flowers, Allegro Fine Tea - Organic Estate Ceylon, Organic Tanzania School House dark chocolate, EARTH University Costa Rican Whole Bean Coffee, Allegro Drinking Chocolate Indian Spice 54, Popcorn Indiana Kettle Corn, and bottled 365 Everyday Value Organic Mint Green Tea.  Thank you, Whole Foods!  We love Whole Trade products (and products that allow us to give back!).

We haven't had the chance to try everything yet, but we can tell you about a few things ... Mommy really enjoyed having fresh (Whole Trade) flowers in the house, and they actually matched my ca-coos (pumpkins) perfectly!  Mommy also added the delicious bananas to her cereal this week, and I was like a monkey and ate most of them.

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

I've also really been on a pineapple kick lately (and Mommy said it is her favorite fruit ... although she was kind enough to leave me with most of it!).  I ate almost all of the Whole Trade pineapple last night at dinner!  Can you find Daddy the lurker in the background (pineapple pic)?

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

And finally, so far Mommy's fav Whole Trade addiction ... Kettlecorn!  Luckily I was able to try some too.  Sweet and salty?  Yes, please.  Mommy said she's going to have to go buy some more this weekend.  

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Stay tuned for more on our Whole Trade adventure.

GIVEAWAY: Houston Readers - Now it is your turn!  Enter to win a $50.00 Whole Foods Giftcard that can be used at any Houston area Whole Foods.  We encourage you to try out and support Whole Trade food and products!

We made it super simple for you to enter.  All you have to do is visit the Whole Trade page for Whole Foods, and leave a comment below in this blog post.  Be sure to let us know how to best contact you (you can also email us at madmaxandfamily at gmail). 

You have from now until Friday, October 26, 2012 at 9 pm (CST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win.  The winner will be chosen at random using random.org and will be announced on Saturday, October 27th, 2012 by 9 am (CST).  No purchase or payment necessary to enter.  You must be 18 years of age or older to enter and be in the Houston area.

Good luck!

-Mad Max