Austin ADL Honors Whole Foods Market with Torch of Liberty Award, and Winkelman Family with Maislin Award

Date: September 28, 2011

AUSTIN, Texas (September 28, 2011)—The Austin Council of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today announced that it has named Whole Foods Market as the 2012 recipient of its biennial Torch of Liberty Award. This prestigious award acknowledges individuals or companies dedicated to promoting diversity, equality and justice for all.  Austin ADL will host a Torch of Liberty Award dinner honoring the company on March 21, 2012.

Prior recipients of the Torch of Liberty Award in Austin include Kirk and Amy Rudy, Austin Ventures and Tom and Lynn Meredith.

"Whole Foods Market has created a work environment where employees are treated fairly and are welcome to express their differences and individuality," said Karen Gross, ADL Austin Community Director.  "Anyone who's been in their stores has seen the diverse, happy and energetic employees who work there. The company is also to be acknowledged for its strong support of and involvement in the communities where it lives and operates as well as its commitment to ethical trade."

"It is truly an honor for all of us at Whole Foods Market to be recognized in this way," said Jim Sud, executive vice president of growth and business development for Whole Foods Market. "The ADL does such important work not only in Austin, but around the world, in helping promote mutual respect in society; we are pleased that our own efforts in creating a respectful workplace mirror those values."

ADL also will honor the Winkelman family at the Torch of Liberty Award Dinner with the Raymond and Audrey Maislin Humanitarian Award. This award is given to individuals or organizations that further greater harmony and cooperation in the community. For the first time, the Austin Council of the ADL will recognize an entire family for its many contributions to the betterment of the Austin community and beyond.

The 2012 Torch of Liberty Award Dinner, unique in its approach, will combine innovative art to convey ADL's mission of reducing hate, bias, bullying and discrimination from society.  To learn more about the Austin ADL visit http://regions.adl.org/southwest/adl-in-austin/.

For more on this story, or for more information about the Torch of Liberty Dinner in Austin, call 512-249-7960.