Sonoma Co. Entrepreneurs Awarded Whole Foods Market Northern California’s 2017 Local Producer Grants

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Four Sonoma County small business owners are among 15 others in the Bay Area to earn a prestigious grant this year. New Family Farm of Sebastopol, Soap Cauldron, of Sebastopol, First Light Farm, of Petaluma, and Crumb Hither Baking, of Santa Rosa, were selected as winners of the annual Whole Foods Market Northern California’s 2017 Local Producer Grants.

This Wednesday, 44 Whole Foods locations will donate 5 percent of all sales toward the local producer grants.

“The Local Producer Grant program is an opportunity for Whole Foods Market to give back to small businesses that are working hard to make an impact in Northern California and Reno communities through their unique products and services” said Rob Twyman, regional president for Whole Foods Market in NorCal and Reno. “Local producers play a major role in what makes shopping at Whole Foods Market exciting, delicious, and truly reflective of the communities we serve. We are proud to continue supporting this program for the fourth consecutive year.”

First Light Farm owner Jesse Pizzatola, whose organic kale, chard and other produce items are sold in Whole Foods Markets in Mill Valley, Novato, Petaluma and San Rafael, says he will use the money to pay off his tractor and some other farming equipment.

New Family Farm, which provides squash, herbs and other greens to 10 Bay Area Whole Foods locations, will use the grant money to buy seeds and "bring financial stability after a tough spring."

"This has been the most challenging year of our lives," said Ryan Power, co-founder of New Family Farm. "Everything’s been late. When Drew sent me the Local Producer Grant application, I thought this is it. It feels really special."

Soap Cauldron, which "takes ingredients from nature into its soap cauldron and transforms them into nourishing and gentle bars to gently cleanse and pamper the skin," will purchase a labeler, hopper and shrink wrap machine for bath salt production, all of which is currently done by hand, said owner Emma Mann.

Crumb Hither Baking, which offers fresh, natural, home-made cupcakes, cakes and desserts, will buy another freezer and another oven, according to owner Shannon Hoffman.

"...And I need to pay off my mixer," Hoffman added.

Working Solutions, a nonprofit microlender committed to helping Bay Area entrepreneurs realize their dreams of business ownership, distributes the money to the recipients.

“Working Solutions and Whole Foods Market are partnering for the fourth year in a row to support the
ecosystem of small businesses that drive our economy,” said Emily Gasner, Working Solutions CEO. “We’ve helped distribute over $600,000 in grant funds to nearly 100 local producers over the past three 5% Community Giving Days to help entrepreneurs make their dreams come true. We’re thrilled to complement our own mission of providing affordable microloans and free business consulting through this joint endeavor.”

Other Bay Area business recipients include:

• Garden Variety Cheeses: Royal Oaks, CA
• So Far Gluten Free Delicacies: San Ramon, CA
• Maison de Monaco: San Francisco, CA
• Hey Boo: Hayward, CA
• Tahoe Trail Bar: Reno, NV
• Blabbermouth Chocolates: Lincoln, CA
• Arise Gluten Free Bakery: Arcata, CA
• La Saison LLC: Napa, CA
• Blue Egg Farm: Orinda, CA
• Outlaw Soaps: Colfax, CA
• Ohana Organics: Eureka, CA

Photo: Rick Obst via Flickr Creative Commons