Whole Foods to Give Away 2 Trips to Costa Rica

In celebration of Earth Month, Whole Foods Market is giving away two trips for two to the tropical campus of Earth University, a nonprofit university in Costa Rica that also grows bananas for the natural and organic foods retailer.

Through April 30, shoppers can go online to enter for a chance to win an eight-day Costa Rican adventure through and around its rainforests and Arenal volcano. Winners and their guests will also explore the university’s on-campus banana fields and meet students who are studying to become agricultural leaders.

“Every time shoppers choose to buy Earth University bananas at Whole Foods, they’re helping to fund student scholarships and support research in organic and sustainable agriculture,” said John Walker, global produce coordinator for Whole Foods. “We’re excited to give our shoppers an opportunity to see how their purchasing choices can make such a profound difference for our partners around the world.”

Earth University recruits students from low-income, rural areas in more than 30 countries around the world, seeking out individuals who are committed to returning to and improving their home communities after graduation. The university provides full scholarships to approximately 60 percent of its students, with the remaining receiving significant financial aid and/or educational subsidy.

“At Earth we are empowering highly-promising young leaders from economically underprivileged communities,” said Dr. Jose Zaglul, president of Earth University. “These students will become ethical leaders of change who will create opportunities and promote prosperity and sustainable food production in their home communities.”

Earth bananas are also backed by Whole Foods’ Whole Trade program, which means that the product ensures fair prices to producers, better wages and working conditions for farm workers, environmentally friendly growing practices, and a donation to the Whole Planet Foundation to fund poverty relief.