Whole Foods Market donates its first electric food rescue van

Whole Foods Market says it donated its first-ever electric food rescue vehicle, as part of its Nourishing Our Neighborhoods program.

This donation, made in the company’s hometown of Austin, Texas, marks a step forward in the program’s evolution, advancing both food access and sustainability, according to a news release.

Since launching in September 2020, the retailer says its Nourishing Our Neighborhoods program has provided 60 refrigerated vans to food rescue organizations across the U.S. and Canada. With the introduction of the first e-transit electric van, Whole Foods Market says it is reinforcing its commitment to reducing food waste, lowering emissions and addressing food insecurity. Moving forward, all new vans donated through the program will be electric, the release said.

The inaugural e-transit refrigerated van, equipped with a Level 2 charging station, was donated to The Johnson Center, an Austin-based nonprofit that collects food donations from Whole Foods Market’s Lamar and Bee Cave stores to support families in need. Whole Foods Market has now donated two food rescue vans in the Austin and San Antonio area, with the first van provided to Keep Austin Fed in 2020. The grocer supports 18 food rescue partners — nine in Austin and nine in San Antonio — through its Grocery Rescue program, the release said.

“With the increasing cost of food, nutritious meals can be hard to come by for many in our community,” said Kelly Barnhill, clinical director for The Johnson Center. “Whole Foods Market’s support helps us provide this invaluable resource to our most vulnerable neighbors.”

Located less than 2 miles from Whole Foods Market’s headquarters and flagship store, The Johnson Center is dedicated to advancing childhood development through community outreach, clinical care, research and education. Its food recovery program provides nutritious meals to children, families and high-needs individuals, ensuring greater access to fresh, healthy food, the release said.