Business Observer 07.07.10

+ Whole Foods program helps local charities
Through Sept. 26, customers who bring their own bags to Whole Foods in Sarasota can donate a refund of 10 cents per bag to Save Our Seabirds or the Whole Planet Foundation through the “Change for Change” program. The program began in April and was designed to encourage customers to reuse their shopping bags. Each quarter, one local charity will be chosen to benefit from the project alongside the Whole Planet Foundation.

The first charity selected was the Humane Society of Sarasota County, which has received more than $600 from the program as of July 1.

+ Beachhouse hires special events assistant manager
Beachhouse Restaurant, 200 Gulf Drive N., recently hired Jamie Berfield as its special events assistant manager to coordinate the restaurant’s weddings and events. Berfield graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in education and health. She worked as a real-estate agent in Chicago for three years before moving in October 2009 to Florida.