Whole Foods Offers Socially Responsible Gift Selection

Burt's Bees contributed an exclusive Milk Bath to Whole Foods' gift collection.

Whole Foods Market yesterday unveiled a gift collection that it said will enable givers to help preserve both the earth and its inhabitants. Many of the items are under the natural supermarket chain's Whole Trade Guarantee eco-label program.

"The spirit of giving that so many people talk about during the holidays is really a year-round endeavor for us," noted Jessica Johnson, Whole Foods' Whole Trade Guarantee specialist. "We are constantly inspired to source unique, high-quality products that meet our criterion for social responsibility, which is why we created the Whole Trade Guarantee. This eco-label, which many of our gift selections bear, means that products meet our strict criteria for ethical trade, eco-friendly farming, and quality."

All of the gift items retail for less $20, Whole Foods Market said.

Among those items the super-natural is calling "Gifts for the Planet" are Bee Natural Honeypot Mini Luminary candle holders made from aromatic beeswax, of which portion of proceeds supports marine mammal research; the exclusive Hugo Naturals French Lavender & Pink Grapefruit Lotion and Hand Soap Set, of which portion of proceeds goes to Earth Share, a federation of environmental groups; and the exclusive miYim Organic Charlie Bear soft toy.

"Gifts for the Body" include the exclusive Alaffia Body Care Gift Set from Togo, of which 10 percent of sales goes back to community projects; the exclusive Nature's Gate Pineapple Body Lotion & Body Wash Gift set, of which a portion of sales benefits WaterAid, a nonprofit working to overcome poverty by enabling the world's poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene education; and the exclusive Whole Foods Market Bali Foot Kit, handmade in Bali by artisans guaranteed equitable wages, health care, and profit sharing.

Some "Gifts for the Tastebuds" are Divine Chocolate After Dinner Mints from Ghana, a Whole Trade Guarantee product; the exclusive limited-edition Allegro Coffee Co. Celebration Caffe, from a manufacturer that is committed to socially responsible product sourcing and offsets 100 percent of its electricity with wind energy credits; and exclusive Theo Chocolate Jane Goodall Institute Organic Chocolate Bars, which donates a portion of sales to the Jane Goodall Institute for primate research.

"Gifts That Keep Giving" include the responsibly packaged Aura Cacia Orange Pomander Aromatherapy Diffuser and Potpourri gift set; exclusive Earth Divas Handmade Felted Wool Holiday Ornaments, handmade of felted wool by small, women-owned Nepalese businesses and cooperatives; and Whole Trade Guarantee Calla Lilies, Gerbera Daisies, Alstromeria, and Roses.

Whole Foods said gift givers can find a Holiday Gift Guide, describing all of the available items, in its stores. The chain is also flagging the gifts on-shelf with a small green heart.