Sambazon has donated $50,000 to Whole Planet Foundation to help fund microcredit for poverty alleviation worldwide. This donation is enough to provide 285 people living in abject poverty with a loan and an opportunity to get ahead: to start their own home-based businesses, gain financial independence and lift their families out of poverty.

With this donation, Sambazon joins Whole Planet Foundation's 2014 Supplier Alliance for Microcredit, a band of like-minded companies that invest $50,000 annually to build a future without poverty.

"Though our partnership with Whole Planet Foundation we're helping empower those living in developing-world communities and are able to extend Sambazon's mission to create positive change in the Brazilian Amazon and beyond," said Ryan Black, CEO and co-founder of Sambazon. "We're honored to help uplift and better the lives of those in need by joining Whole Planet Foundation's 2014 Supplier Alliance for Microcredit."

Black, along with co-founders Jeremy Black and Edmund Nichols, created Sambazon based on a Triple Bottom Line philosophy, which measures success not only economically but socially and environmentally. When they first discovered the Amazon superfood acai, they realized creating a market driven conservation model to sustainably harvest the fruit could create jobs and help protect the rainforest. Today, Sambazon's practices help support 10,000 family farmers and more than 1.6 million acres of Amazon Rainforest, while also improving the lives of local residents through projects such as the construction of new schools and community centers. Sambazon makes fresh organic juices, smoothies, energy drinks and frozen products made from Amazon superfoods like acai, acerola, and guarana.

In 2005, Whole Foods Market established Whole Planet Foundation as a way to give back to the communities in which it does business. Through grants to microfinance partners, the foundation funds microloans in poor communities where the grocer sources products. To date, Whole Planet Foundation has authorized $41 million and funded more than $29 million in microfinance programs in 58 countries, including the U.S., positively impacted more than 1.95 million people worldwide.

"For a woman living in extreme poverty, a $200 loan is enough to help her start a new life: to launch a business, secure a steady stream of income and provide basic needs for her children," said Philip Sansone, president and executive director for Whole Planet Foundation. "With Sambazon's generous donation, we will be able to provide 285 women with the opportunity to shape a brighter future for her whole family."

To learn more about Sambazon and its complete line of Amazon superfoods, please visit www.Sambazon.com.

To learn more about the Whole Planet Foundation, or for stories from microcredit loan recipients, visit: www.wholeplanetfoundation.org.

About Sambazon

Founded in 2000, Sambazon is the pioneer of organic Amazon Superfoods TM, providing fresh organic juices, smoothies, energy drinks and frozen products made from delicious blends of Brazilian fruits and botanicals like acai, acerola and guarana. A socially and environmentally conscious company that uses organic food and beverages as vehicles for positive change, Sambazon is committed to sharing superfood wellness with the world in a way that consciously supports people and planet. The company's Fair Trade partnership helps to protect the Amazon Rainforest and benefits more than 10,000 family farmers, while bringing consumers the next level in superfood nutrition. All Sambazon products are USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, vegan, gluten free and made with Ecocert Fair Trade ingredients. To energize your soul, visit www.sambazon.com. You can also follow Sambazon via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google+.

About Whole Planet Foundation®

Founded in 2005, Whole Planet Foundation is a Whole Foods Market foundation that funds poverty alleviation worldwide where the company sources products. The nonprofit's mission is to empower the poor living in developing-world communities with microcredit and the chance to create or expand a home-based business and lift themselves and their families out of poverty. As of December 2013, Whole Planet Foundation is funding microlending programs through microfinance institution partners in 58 countries; 57 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the U.S., supporting more than 1.95 million people with a chance for a better life. To date, the nonprofit has authorized more than $41 million and disbursed more than $29 million through microlending partners worldwide. Learn more and donate online at wholeplanetfoundation.org.

Rachel Kay Public Relations
Natalie Terashima, 877-975-3423 ext. 2
Natalie@rkpr.net