Whole Foods and Young Farmers Coalition Launch $1 Million Fund for New Organic Growers

Whole Foods Market partnered with the National Young Farmers Coalition to create the Next Generation Farmer Fund, aiming to raise at least $1 million to provide $10,000-$50,000 grants to farmers younger than 40 who practice organic, regenerative agriculture. Whole Foods pledged to match donations up to $500,000, and companies such as Fishwife Tinned Seafood Co., Lundberg Family Farms, Coleman Natural Foods, Harney & Sons, MadeGood and Prairie Farms Dairy have already contributed.

Sustainability executives Caitlin Leibert and Michelle Hughes emphasized that an aging farmer population and rising land costs threaten the future of U.S. agriculture, making targeted financial support essential. The coalition, operating through 30 chapters, also advocates policy changes to ease entry for new growers. Alongside the fund, Whole Foods released its 2025 Impact Report, announced an AI-powered composting partnership with Mill, and allocated a share of Berry Chantilly cake sales to the fund. First-generation farmer Cody Brown of San Antonio plans to apply for a grant to expand his diversified produce operation.