We'll dedicate our efforts to bringing the importance of animals'
welfare to the same level of expectation the industry has for food safety,
quality and taste. 3725
kate.

Celebrate Earth Day at the Belle Isle Nature Zoo on April 23

Admission is $10.

abolitionists organizations

Company Celebrates Beginning of 25th Anniversary Year By Contributing Five
Percent of Day's Purchases to Create a Non-Profit Fund Aimed at More Humane
Farm Animal Treatment

AUSTIN, Texas, Whole Foods Market(R)
(Nasdaq: WFMI), the world's leading natural and organic foods supermarket
founded in 1980, announced today it will donate more than $550,000 as seed
money toward the creation of the new Animal Compassion Foundation. "The creation of the
Animal Compassion Foundation will encourage change among producers interested
in animal compassion now, and it will ideally motivate the industry as a whole
to adopt more humane practices in the future."
The Animal Compassion Foundation will allow ranchers and producers the
opportunity to visit and learn from others who are innovating animal husbandry
techniques to create the ideal environments and conditions to support every
animal's physical needs, natural behaviors and well-being.

lifestyle choices

Whole Foods Market employs more than 32,000 team members and has been
ranked for eight consecutive years as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work
for" in America by Fortune magazine.

society organizations

"Launching the Animal Compassion Foundation marks a major endeavor in
Whole Foods Market's twenty-five years as an innovator," said Margaret
Wittenberg, chair of the Animal Compassion Foundation and vice president of
governmental and public affairs for Whole Foods Market. In fiscal
year 2004, the company had sales of $3.m. The Belle Isle Nature Zoo
is located on Belle Isle Park in Detroit. To help the Detroit Zoological Society through financial support,
partnership opportunities, membership, or volunteering, please call
(248) 541 -5717.

top abolitionists

animalcompassionfoundation. The Whole
Foods Market motto, "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet"(TM) captures the
company's mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness ,
employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community
support and environmental improvement. The Detroit Zoological
Society works to promote the general welfare and interests of the Detroit
Zoological Institute.

lifestyle vivisection

org .9 billion and currently has more than
165 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.lowery@wholefoods.m.
This year's Earth Day event will also feature hiking the trails with
naturalists, craft projects and presentations on the animals of Belle Isle. The Nature Zoo is currently under
construction but some family programming takes place on the weekends with
advance reservations by calling (313) 852-4056.

abolitionists top

The
company kicked off the foundation on Tuesday by holding its first global "five
percent day," meaning five percent of all customer purchases at the
166 locations in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom will be
allocated to create the foundation.
The Animal Compassion Foundation will be based in Austin, Texas and will
operate as an independent, non-profit organization with its own board of
directors.wholefoodsmarket. ROYAL OAK, Mich.

vegetarian lifestyle

About Whole Foods Market(R):
Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market
(http://www.com ) is the world's leading natural and organic foods
supermarket and America's first national certified organic grocer.

Contacts:
Amy Hopfensperger Kate Lowery
512-485-3600 ext. The Institute , founded in 1928, is committed to
celebrating and saving wildlife.

vegetarian society

Thanks
to the customers of Whole Foods Market, we will be able to make a real change
in the way animals are raised and brought to market," said Anne Malleau,
executive director of the Animal Compassion Foundation."
To support Whole Foods Market's efforts to launch the Animal Compassion
Foundation and make a difference in farm animal welfare, several animal
welfare, animal protection, and animal rights organizations signed a statement
of support, including: Animal Rights International, Animal Welfare Institute,
Animal Place, Animal Protection Institute, Association of Vets for Animal
Rights, Bay Area Vegetarians , Christian Vegetarian Association, Compassion
Over Killing, Doris Day Animal League, East Bay Animal Advocates, Farm
Sanctuary, Humane Society of the United States, People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals, Mercy for Animals, Northwest in Defense of Animals,
Vegan Outreach, and Viva!USA.
More information about the Animal Compassion Foundation is available at
http://www.com

, Celebrate Earth Day at the
Belle Isle Nature Zoo on Saturday, April 23 from 10:00 a.

welfare animal

Financial support has allowed the Zoo to expand its
animal collection, open new exhibits, and implement major beautification
projects.

society v

Earth Day is a fun-filled educational experience with lots of activities
promoting the importance of worldwide conservation and environmental
education."
The all -day celebration will also include performances by Red Feather, a
Native American storyteller, and the Detroit Public Schools' Spain Elementary
6th grade drama class performing Voices of the Rescued Animals on Earth Day. Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic
exhibits, the Detroit Zoo is open year round with several indoor viewing
areas.

issues vegetarianism

3728 512-485-3600 ext. The Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of Ten Mile Road and
Woodward Avenue, just off I-696 in Royal Oak . For more information call
(248) 398-0900 or visit http://www.

issues philanthropy

50 for students ages 2
to 12; and children under two are free.detroitzoo.

experiments vegetarian

Whole Foods Market to Donate More Than $550 000 to Seed Creation of Animal Compassion Foundation

We will create a
network for the global exchange of humane animal husbandry techniques. "Just as Whole Foods
Market played an important role in the creation of organic standards, we will
work with meat producers to raise the bar in treating farm animals with more
compassion . to 4:00 p.50 for adults
13 to 62; $8.

volunteering vegetarianism

The mission of the foundation is to provide education and research
services to assist and inspire ranchers and meat producers around the world to
achieve a higher standard of animal welfare excellence while still maintaining
economic viability.
"At this time, no one place exists for ranchers and meat producers who are
interested in animal compassion to share information. Whole Foods Market, Harry's Farmers
Market(R), and Fresh + Wild (R) are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP,
LP.
"We are proud to be part of a celebration that promotes environmental
awareness.
The Detroit Zoological Institute is comprised of the Detroit Zoo and the
Belle Isle Nature Zoo.

vivisection philanthropy

"This is a great opportunity for kids and their parents to learn about the
environment," says Director of the Detroit Zoological Institute , Ron Kagan.50 for senior citizens 62 and older and $6.org .