Whole Foods Market and Mad Agriculture Launch National Effort to "Wild" U.S. Farmland

In a collaborative effort to revitalize native ecosystems and promote biodiversity, Whole Foods Market and Mad Agriculture have launched a national biodiversity highway initiative aimed at reconstructing native ecosystems across American farmland. Starting in the Lowery Creek Watershed in Wisconsin, the program aims to create a connected highway of climate-resilient habitats, improving soil and water health, and strengthening the long-term resilience of the food system. This initiative is a cornerstone of Whole Foods Market's broader commitment to sustainability, as outlined in its 2024 Impact Report.

Key Takeaways:

• The biodiversity highway initiative will cover 1,000 acres of American farmland, with a goal of reducing fragmentation, supporting pollinators, and helping buffer communities from climate impacts like flooding and erosion.
• Whole Foods Market has pledged up to $500,000 in matching funds to catalyze $1 million in collective investment from food system stakeholders in 2025.
• The program invites Founding Member organizations to co-invest in ecosystem reconstruction efforts that will serve as an example for regenerative agriculture and collaborative supply chain transformation.
• Participating companies include Applegate, Bob's Red Mill, The Campbell's Company, New Belgium Brewing, OLIPOP, UNFI, UNFI Foundation, west~bourne, and Yogi Tea.
• The initiative is a part of Whole Foods Market's broader commitment to sustainability, including advancing regenerative agriculture, biodiversity leadership, food access, and community giving.
• The company has made significant progress in reducing emissions in its supply chain, at its stores, and through its Impact Through Giving program.

Statistics:

• Whole Foods Market has doubled the number of certified regenerative products to 301, all verified by trusted third-party standards such as Regenerative Organic Certified, Regenified, and Ecological Outcome Verified.
• The company ranked the top U.S. retailer for pollinator protection by Friends of the Earth, expanded biodiversity efforts through native prairie restoration, and pollinator-friendly sourcing policies.
• Whole Foods Market donated over 34.6 million pounds of food, nearly 29 million meals, to over 1,000 food rescue and redistribution programs across North America.
• The company collaborated with key suppliers to accelerate their carbon-reduction efforts, mitigate the carbon impact of its supply chain, and reduce emissions in its stores.

Sources:

• Media.release WHOLE FOODS MARKET & MADM AGRICULTURE LAUNCH NATIONAL EFFORT TO WILD U.S. FARMLAND (July 29, 2025)
• 2024 Impact Report: Whole Foods Market
• Friends of the Earth: 2024 U.S. Retailer Pollinator Protection Ranking
• Regenerative Organic Certified: Certified Products List