Microlending and Raspberry Fields Tea

Posted on March 20, 2013 Updated on August 25, 2014

Checked out a bottle of Raspberry Fields Tea recently? Did you know each time you purchase a bottle you are supporting small business entrepreneurs in developing countries through our partnership with the Whole Planet Foundation?

The Whole Planet Foundation’s mission is poverty alleviation through microcredit in communities around the world that supply Whole Foods Market stores with products (us included!). Earlier this year we partnered with Whole Planet Foundation for the launch of our new Raspberry Fields Tea. A portion of each sale directly gives back to individuals who are taking brave steps as entrepreneurs in escaping the poverty cycle.

Microcredits are basically small loans with limited/no collateral provided to entrepreneurs who are looking to grow their unique business, yet lacking the basic infrastructure to do so.  Common purchases using microcredit include sewing machines for textiles, cooking supplies for a local restaurant owner, transportation vehicles and irrigation equipment for farmers.

According to Whole Planet Foundation, they have a repayment success rate of 96%. As of this year there are more than 70 projects in 54 countries around the world being impacted by the Whole Planet Foundation.  Some interesting facts include:

• 90% of microcredit clients are female
•  An estimated 1.4 million people are being supported through the Whole Planet Foundation microcredit funds.
•  The average first loan size in the developing world is $162—which appears a small amount, but creates a large impact in a developing nation where dollars can go further.
•  $34,570,574 funds have been committed for microcredit work through Whole Planet Foundation.

Pick up a bottle of Raspberry Fields today and help spread the word about microfinance empowerment! To read how you can get involved further check out: www.wholeplanetfoundation.org