Whole Foods Market Makes Fortune Magazine's Change the World List

In its new ranking of 50 companies that “Change the World,” Fortune magazine recognized Whole Foods Market for “doing well by doing good.” The company ranks No. 30 on the list, which will appear in the magazine’s Sept. 1 issue. Fortune highlights Whole Foods Market’s position at the forefront of food consciousness, noting the company’s role in creating the market for natural, healthy food: “The Austin-based grocer prompted giants from Walmart to Kroger to up their organic game. Whole Foods continues to push for change through initiatives like its animal-welfare standards, its refusal to sell overfished seafood, and its requirement that all products it sells containing genetically modified ingredients be labeled as such by 2018.” Fortune also quotes New York University food studies, nutrition, and public health professor Marion Nestle as saying the company “set a standard for grocery stores.” “It’s incredibly rewarding to be included on Fortune’s list because it represents the culmination of decades of passion and dedication our team members have invested in our mission,” says co-CEO Walter Robb. “Collectively, we believe it is our responsibility to co-create a world where everyone can flourish, and that much of our success to date stems from having a bigger idea that draws in and inspires our team members to further shape and express that idea—or higher purpose—in large and small ways every day.” The company's motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet,” captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, team member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement, say company officials. Whole Foods Market constantly evolves its higher purpose by tapping into the company’s heightened level of consciousness for the good of the business, society and the world as a whole. "By focusing on our deeper purpose, we have inspired, engaged and energized all of our stakeholders to come together to awaken food consciousness while helping make the world a better place,” says John Mackey, co-founder and co-CEO. "It is gratifying to be recognized for fulfilling our higher purpose—one that reaches far beyond simply being a food retailer.” Whole Foods Market is No. 214 on the Fortune 500 list and has been on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list for 18 years. The company also ranked No. 18 on Fortune’s “World’s Most Admired Companies” list in 2015, and Mackey appears on its “World’s Greatest Leaders” list this year as well.