News Flash

Whole Foods Market in Virginia Beach is working to make the community a greener plane, one tree at a time. On Friday, June 1, Store Team Leader Josh Spille helped City of Norfolk staff members Amanda Verdin and Mark Hoar load fruit and flowering trees donated by Whole Foods Market in Virginia Beach into a City of Norfolk truck. The flowering trees will be installed along streets throughout Norfolk to enhance the aesthetic and environmental health of the community. Chris Epes, associate extension agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension, will be leading the efforts to plant the fruit trees in the garden at the Academy for Discovery at Lakewood, which is used as an outdoor classroom and as a means for harvesting fresh produce for students.
 
Cindy Huguley, associate store team leader at Whole Foods Market in Virginia Beach, initiated the partnership with the City of Norfolk, and the partnership has been facilitated by Keep Norfolk Beautiful, a branch of the City of Norfolk’s Public Works Department that aids the Norfolk Environmental Commission in the effort towards leading citizens to environmental stewardship.
 
“I saw this as a great opportunity to contribute to building a thriving local food system and grow community health,” Huguley said. “As a company, Whole Foods Market is deeply committed to serving and supporting the communities where our stores are located, and I am so pleased that we are able to make a positive and sustainable impact in Norfolk with this donation.”
 
The City of Norfolk is working to increase the tree canopy in the city to 30 percent, the recommended percentage for cities east of the Mississippi River. Trees provide many benefits, including improving water quality, conserving energy, lowering city temperatures, reducing air pollution, improving property values, providing wildlife habitats, facilitating social and educational opportunities, and beautifying the city.