Month: July 2025

AUSTIN, Texas, July 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Whole Foods Market Foundation is excited to announce over $1.9 million in funding across eight transformative projects impacting 15,577 people in Bolivia, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Nigeria, Tanzania and the United States. Throughout the year, the Foundation provides funding to help its partners improve nutrition and create opportunities for financial stability. Each project is community-led and designed to create lasting impact in communities worldwide.

From supporting agroforestry in Bolivia to improving children’s access to healthy food in American schools, these carefully selected programs represent the Foundation’s dedication to fostering sustainable economic growth and resilience where it’s needed most. Learn more about each project below:

Chef Ann Foundation | United States

The Foundation’s long-term partner, Chef Ann Foundation, which promotes scratch cooking in schools across the United States, will receive a 1-year, $300,000 grant to support 8 fellows in the Healthy School Food Pathway Fellowship program (HSFP). This fellowship is a 13-month program designed for mid-level school food professionals—like chefs, site managers, and supervisors—who are committed to transforming school food systems to be healthier. This program was developed in response to a needs assessment report conducted by the Food Institute Group in collaboration with the Chef Ann Foundation, which identified the current gaps in approaches in school food transformation. This project aims to address the critical workforce development gap in school food systems that are not currently addressed by other programs. 

Chomateo | Bolivia

Chomateo, a new partner of the Foundation, will receive a $50,000 grant that will support 110 smallholder farmers working in agroforestry across Bolivia. The organization focuses its efforts on adding value to coffee, cocoa, and forest products like artisanal soaps and essential oils. Alongside supporting farmers, Chomateo is committed to sustainable livelihoods, preserving biodiversity and enhancing cultural heritage.

ColdHubs | Nigeria

ColdHubs, a new partner of the Foundation, will receive a $350,000, 3-year, zero percent interest loan to maintain and grow their network of solar-powered cold rooms and ice points that will serve small-scale rural markets, while providing post-harvest management trainings to smallholder farmers. Food spoilage is a widespread challenge for Nigerian farmers— over 90 million smallholder farmers report lost wages due to lack of cold storage at key points along the food supply chain. ColdHubs will use their funds to implement three new cold hubs and three ice points, impacting an estimated 640 smallholder farmers and market retailers. This is projected to increase their annual revenues by 55-65%.

J-Palm | Liberia

J-Palm Liberia (JPL), a partner of the Foundation since 2021, will receive a $448,528 3-year, zero percent interest loan. This funding will allow the organization to expand their harvesting initiatives by purchasing palm from 3,500 wild palm collectors. In addition, JPL has purchased a new machine to transform the discarded palm kernel shells into fuel efficient briquettes. They plan to market these briquettes to the Liberian public as a cheaper and cleaner source of fuel. To date, J-Palm Liberia has received $686,548 in funding from the Foundation.

Kawadah Farm | Liberia

Smallholder farmers across West Africa face significant challenges, including limited access to infrastructure, farming techniques, and advanced food processing technologies, making it difficult to sustain their livelihoods. Kawadah Farm Liberia (KFL) is a for-profit social enterprise in Liberia that sources cassava, soybeans and gari (processed cassava) from Liberian smallholder farmers. Kawadah Farm Liberia will use their 3-year, no-interest loan of $290,000 to increase processing capacity so they can expand their network to reach 5,000 more farmers, provide training and small tool loans to increase farmer production and increase smallholder income in Liberia. 

Kokoa Kamili Limited | Tanzania

Kokoa Kamili Limited (KKL), a new partner of the Foundation, will receive a $300,000, 3-year, zero percent interest loan to purchase cocoa from a minimum of 533 farmers. Because cocoa is a year-round crop, these funds will be leveraged multiple times a year. Kokoa Kamili will also provide smallholder cocoa farmers with comprehensive services including seedlings, agronomic support, organic certification support, and above market pricing for their cocoa harvest through access to global premium markets.

Kumasi Drinks | Côte d’Ivoire

Kumasi Drinks is a for-profit social enterprise that creates additional income for smallholder farmers in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire by sourcing cocoa fruit juice— a byproduct of cocoa bean harvesting that is typically discarded— and transforming it into a marketable beverage. As a first-time partner, Kumasi Drinks will receive a 1-year $66,600 loan to bring online its Côte d’Ivoire supply chain, starting with cocoa juice purchases from 231 farmers to fulfill the needs of Ivorio, a leading juice brand in West Africa. In future cycles, they expect to grow their sourcing capacity through the Ivorio partnership and reach 1,286 farmers over the next 3 years.

Partners for Education, Agriculture and Sustainability (PEAS) | Texas

Partners for Education, Agriculture and Sustainability (PEAS), has been a partner with the Foundation since 2015. They will receive a 1-year, $100,000 grant to support 8 of their core staff members in engaging 4,500 students at 28 school sites across the Austin, TX metro area in garden education. PEAS also operates in a high-need area: the schools they serve have an average of 69% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, notably above the national average. PEAS will also use their grant to develop supplemental revenue streams, including caregiver cooking classes, PEAS farm field trips, professional development services, workshops and presentations, consultation, summer camps, and curriculum.

Since 2005, Whole Foods Market Foundation, has invested over $197 million supporting over 16,750 partner organizations and schools in 81countries around the world.

For more information, visit wholefoodsmarketfoundation.org/funding-announcements. 

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ABOUT WHOLE FOODS MARKET FOUNDATION

Whole Foods Market Foundation works to nourish people and the planet by providing access to essential resources to improve nutrition and create opportunities for financial stability. The registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, based in Austin, Texas, encompasses the pillars of Whole Cities, Whole Kids and Whole Planet. For more information on the Foundation’s work, visit wholefoodsmarketfoundation.org. For ongoing news and updates, follow Whole Foods Market Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Sandra Mariscal, Director of Philanthropy
Sandra.Mariscal@wholefoods.com

DENTON, Texas, July 10, 2025 /3BL/ – U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, has named Tetra Pak one of the 2025-2026 Best Companies to Work For: Private Companies.

Tetra Pak was rated among the top privately owned companies overall and in manufacturing and agriculture on factors most heavily considered by job seekers during their employment search.

“We’re honored to be recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a best company to work — both overall and in the manufacturing and agriculture category,” said Seth Teply, president and CEO, Tetra Pak U.S. and Canada. “We believe that when we add value to the employee experience and create an environment where people can make an impact to be proud of, we are better able to protect what’s good for all.”

U.S. News’ Best Companies to Work For ratings reflect the ever-changing sentiments impacting employee decision-making when evaluating the “best” company for them. These sentiments are examined by using factors that include quality of pay and benefits, work-life balance and flexibility, job and company stability, physical and psychological comfort, belongingness and esteem, and career opportunities and professional development.

“The job market is rapidly changing in the age of AI adoption, and job seekers understand the impact this shift will have on workplace culture and, subsequently, their quality of life and overall happiness,” said U.S. News Vice President of Careers Carly Chase. “The list reveals private companies that scored high on multiple metrics that promote a positive work environment and everyday employee experience.”

The Best Companies to Work For: Private Companies list features the top 277 companies out of 1,094 businesses evaluated across 14 industries. To calculate the ratings, U.S. News only considered privately owned companies with at least 5,000 employees that had at least 75 Glassdoor reviews written between 2021 and 2024. Developed with insights from a panel of six experts, the methodology also factors in data, including employee sentiment and regulatory enforcement data, gathered from U.S. News’ partners Revelio Labs and Good Jobs First.

For more information, including what makes a great company to work for, how job seekers can use the ratings, and career advice in areas like customer service and IT, visit Best Companies to Work For and U.S. News’ expanding Careers offerings, and share the ratings on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) by using #BCTWF.

About U.S. News & World Report 
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.

About Tetra Pak 
Tetra Pak is a world-leading food processing and packaging solutions company. Working with our customers and suppliers, we provide access to safe, nutritious food for hundreds of millions of people in more than 160 countries every day.

With over 24,000 employees worldwide, we commit to making food safe and available, everywhere, and we promise to protect what’s good: food, people and the planet.

More information about Tetra Pak is available at www.tetrapakusa.com.

For media inquiries, please contact Megan Kass at mkass@bader-rutter.com or 414- 607-2145.

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey.

My journey into tech was not typical, but it led me exactly where I needed to be. Before joining GoDaddy in 2017, I managed a roller skating rink and, prior to that, worked at a funeral home. Not exactly your average path into cloud computing! However, I have always loved technology. I was the kid sneaking out after midnight to play The Sims on a computer I rigged to bypass my parents’ password. I have always been into gadgets, especially phones. I had just about every model that came out while I was growing up (RIP to the Sidekick).

I had heard GoDaddy was a great place to work, but I figured I did not have the experience. Fortunately, someone I knew from the community worked here and encouraged me to apply. I landed a Customer Sales and Support role, and that kicked off my career in tech. I dove headfirst into learning how the internet really works, from domains to hosting, and quickly realized I wanted to go deeper into the technical side.

From there, I moved across teams: Sales, Hosting, WDS, and eventually found my place in Corp Tech working on internal systems. I am now a SaaS Platform Systems Engineer III, partnering with teams across the company to build scalable solutions and improve the SaaS tools our teams rely on every day.

A year or so into this role, I decided to take the next step and go back to school. I enrolled in the Cloud Computing Program at Western Governors University in 2021 and just graduated this June with my bachelor’s degree. It was important to me that the work I am doing every day at GoDaddy aligns with the direction I am growing in, and now it does.

What real-life problems does your team solve?

We work with both customer-facing and internal teams across GoDaddy to help them improve the way they work. Whether it is streamlining workflows, automating repetitive tasks, or designing better ways to interact with customers, we help teams turn their processes into scalable, efficient systems, using SaaS tools with a specific focus on the Atlassian suite of products including Jira, Jira Service Management, Confluence, and more.

A big part of our role is listening. We work closely with stakeholders to understand their goals, pain points, and the outcomes they need. From there, we recommend the best way to build the solution in the system. It’s not just about implementing a request—it’s about figuring out what really needs fixing and finding the best way to do it.

What is the most challenging, yet rewarding thing that you have worked on at GoDaddy?

Honestly, it is hard for me to pick just one. The nature of my role is that I am constantly working with different teams across the company, each with their own challenges, systems, and needs. Every situation is unique, and that is exactly what makes it both challenging and rewarding.

One day, I might be helping a team redesign their ticketing workflows to reduce bottlenecks. The next, I am troubleshooting an automation that is impacting how requests flow between systems. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, so I have to stay flexible, think critically, and really listen to what teams need before building out a solution.

It can be a lot to juggle, but seeing the impact when a process finally clicks into place and starts making someone’s job easier is what makes it all worth it.

How do you stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in SaaS?

Since I just wrapped up my Cloud Computing degree, a lot of my recent learning has come through hands-on coursework and certifications. That definitely helped me build a strong foundation and stay current with core SaaS and cloud concepts.

Day-to-day, I stay in the loop by keeping an eye on new developments in the Atlassian ecosystem, since those tools are such a big part of my role. I regularly check product release notes, documentation updates, and follow community forums when we are planning new configurations. If I run into something unfamiliar, I am quick to research and dig into it. Google is still one of my best tools.

What makes the GoDaddy Engineering Team unique from others that you have worked on?

One thing that really stands out is the level of support from both direct and upper leadership. I always feel like we are kept in the loop and never left guessing about what is going on. Whether new initiatives are being introduced or changes are on the horizon, there is a clear commitment to keeping us informed and prepared, so we never feel caught off guard.

There is also a strong sense of encouragement to do our best work, while still making room for fun. It is clear that leadership cares about our growth, our well-being, and creating an environment where people genuinely enjoy showing up.

On top of that, the people here are just incredibly helpful. If you are working on a system or tool you are not familiar with, there is almost always a supportive team behind it, ready and willing to jump in and help solve problems or answer questions.

We really do know how to live up to “Joining Forces” around here, and that makes a huge difference in how we work together.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I love getting outside whenever I can. In the summer, that usually means paddle boarding down the Salt River or heading up north for a camping trip. In the cooler months, I am often out hiking and exploring different trails around Arizona.

My wife and I also love to travel and have been checking out new spots all over the U.S. Lately, we have been trying to visit places we have never been before, like New York City and Austin, Texas.

At home, I am all about board games, video games, and making homemade pizza with my countertop pizza oven, which has definitely become a weekend ritual.

I am also part of the leadership team for GD United, one of GoDaddy’s Employee Resource Groups. GD United is a community that promotes and advocates for LGBTQIA+ issues, helping to create an inclusive, supportive space for everyone. One of the events I help lead is our presence at the Phoenix Pride Parade, where GoDaddy sponsors and walks each year. To be part of a company and a community that truly shows up for others and stands for something meaningful is very rewarding.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

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By Jean Ekwa, Strategic Communications and PR Lead at Tech To The Rescue

This World Environment Day, we’re celebrating more than awareness—we’re showcasing transformation. Around the world, visionary changemakers are confronting the climate crisis with innovation, determination, and deep local knowledge. And they’re not doing it alone.

Tech To The Rescue—a global nonprofit connecting technology companies with nonprofits to solve our world’s most pressing challenges—is spearheading the AI for Changemakers Accelerator Program, supported by key partners like Lenovo. At the heart of this initiative stands the Lenovo AI for Social Impact Lab and its support for twelve forward-thinking nonprofits from the climate and education sectors.

As an associate sponsor, Lenovo provides not just inspiration to the program, but the essential tools, technology, and resources these organizations need to transform bold ideas into AI solutions.

“Every tech company has the power to change many lives with their skills—not someday, but now. AI for good shouldn’t be a promise. It should be infrastructure.”
— Jacek Siadkowski, CEO, Tech To The Rescue

“Our goal with the Lenovo AI for Social Impact Lab is to help grassroots solutions scale—by making sure they’re equipped not only with knowledge, but with the right tools to build.”
— Santiago Mendez Galvis, EMEA Head of Philanthropy Lenovo

Today, we spotlight five remarkable climate-focused organizations Lenovo supports with hands-on collaboration. These social changemakers are already harnessing AI for good, turning field experience and community trust into scalable, tech-powered solutions that matter.

Five Lenovo Climate Fellows Changing the World 

Justdiggit: Cooling the Planet Through Land Restoration (Africa, Global) 

In East Africa, Justdiggit has already restored an impressive 60,000+ hectares of degraded land. With AI capabilities, they’re now developing personalized recommendation engines for farmers and satellite-based impact monitoring systems.

“At Justdiggit, we believe AI powered, personalised learning can help farmers thrive and cool down the planet in the process. Lenovo gave us a very welcome boost to kickstart smart testing of AI with a sharp focus on how farmers actually experience it. With the help of expert advice and generous resources we’re learning fast and learning deep.”
— Carl Lens Head of Digital Regreening, Justdiggit

Their work demonstrates that effective climate solutions don’t need to be complex or expensive—they just need to reach the right hands with the right tools.

Reap Benefit: Youth-Led Climate Solutions (India) 

Reap Benefit empowers India’s young people to solve local civic and environmental challenges through their own innovation. With 121,000+ participants already generating over 560,000 data points, they’re now taking their impact to the next level through AI.

Their vision? An AI-driven virtual mentor providing personalized guidance across languages and learning styles, making climate action accessible to all.

“Being part of the Lenovo AI for Social Impact Lab is enabling us to deepen our journey of making technology — particularly AI — a meaningful enabler at the grassroots. It’s not just about access to tools, but about equipping young people to shape civic and climate solutions rooted in their lived realities.”
— Gauthamraj Elango Tech Leader, Reap Benefit

Behind the scenes, Reap Benefit’s own AI Impact Lab is already in action, with young “Solve Ninjas” using technology to enhance the impact of everything from air quality storytelling to peer mentorship.

Reboot the Future: Transforming Climate Education (United Kingdom, Global) 

With a powerful network of 19,000 teachers, Reboot the Future is revolutionizing climate education in UK classrooms. Their mission goes beyond awareness—they’re cultivating empathy-driven environmental leaders for tomorrow.

Through AI, they’re creating personalized resources that adapt to each classroom’s needs, supporting overwhelmed educators and amplifying student voices in climate policy.

“Being part of Lenovo AI for Social Impact Lab – means we can develop technology for good to amplify our mission, helping educators and young people reconnect with themselves, each other, and the planet. It enables us to better support teachers with meaningful, values-led tools that inspire action and help shape a more compassionate and sustainable future.
— Bruna Bertuzzi, Head of Digital Transformation, Reboot the Future

With Lenovo’s support and by integrating AI into their platform, they can offer teachers the right support at the right moment, turning overwhelm into purposeful action rooted in empathy, hope, and the belief that a better world is not only possible but already beginning in our classrooms..

Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR): AI-Powered Agricultural Resilience (India) 

WOTR has transformed water security and agricultural sustainability across thousands of Indian villages. Now, they’re leveraging AI to provide real-time pest forecasts, climate-smart advisories, and data-driven decision tools for farmers facing increasing climate challenges. 

“Participating in the Lenovo AI for Social Impact Lab enables Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) to harness cutting-edge AI technologies to enhance climate resilience, improve rural livelihoods, and scale its impact across vulnerable communities. It also offers a valuable platform for collaboration, innovation, and building AI-driven solutions tailored to grassroots development.” 
— Ajay Shelke IT & GIS expert, WOTR

Through the Lenovo Lab, WOTR is building solutions that make sustainable agriculture not just possible but profitable for smallholder farmers—proving that technology and tradition can work hand in hand.

WeRobotics: Local Innovation Through Drones and Data (USA, Global) 

WeRobotics equips local experts with drone, data, and AI technologies to address critical challenges in agriculture, conservation, and disaster response. From crop monitoring in Uganda to tracking endangered waterfowl in Senegal, their “Flying Labs” are proving the power of locally-led technology.

“Participating in the Lenovo AI for Social Impact Lab is an incredible opportunity to strengthen our mission of using technology for positive environmental and social change. It’s helping us explore how AI can enhance drone data analysis for faster, smarter decision-making in the field.” 
— Diego Paolo Ferruzzo Correa, WeRobotics

With Lenovo’s support, WeRobotics is exploring how AI can make field operations more precise, inclusive, and sustainable—accelerating everything from crop planning to crisis mapping.

From Inspiration to Impact: The Road Ahead 

These solutions are not just ideas—they’re being actively developed and implemented right now through pro bono collaborations between nonprofits and tech partners. From rejuvenating landscapes to reimagining classroom engagement, these projects are showing that AI can serve both people and the planet. What they need now is time—and support—to fully scale their impact.

This World Environment Day, we celebrate not just the vision, but the tangible tools being built to make it real. Because the future of our planet should be built together – coded in classrooms, tested in farmers’ fields, and co-created with communities worldwide.

Jean Ekwa is the Strategic Communications & PR Lead at Tech To The Rescue, a global nonprofit connecting social impact organizations with skilled tech teams to co-create pro bono digital solutions. He works at the intersection of technology, storytelling, and systemic change — focusing on partnerships and narrative that reframe what tech-for-good means, especially where the growing gap between communities and technology holds back meaningful impact. 

Lenovo Foundation is Lenovo’s charitable giving arm, supporting Lenovo’s focus on providing smarter technology for all by providing access to technology and STEM education for those who need it most. Learn more at www.lenovofoundation.com.