AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 7, 2026--
Whole Foods Market and National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) today announced the launch of the Next Generation Farmer Fund, which will provide direct financial and technical assistance to beginning farmers under the age of 40 who are actively adopting climate-smart and environmentally sustainable farming practices as they tackle the most pressing challenges facing American agriculture.
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As the average age of U.S. farmers continues to climb, more and more incoming farmers face an uphill battle against increasing operational costs, historical land-access barriers and compounding environmental disruptions. Through the newly established fund, Whole Foods Market and Young Farmers are investing in beginning farmers who are helping steward the land, uplift local communities and build a long-term, resilient food system for future generations.
"The new generation is stepping into agriculture because they see themselves as the climate leaders, environmental changemakers and problem solvers to some of our biggest environmental and food system challenges," said Michelle A.T. Hughes, Executive Director of the National Young Farmers Coalition. "There are urgent challenges standing in the way of their success, including access to land, access to capital, health care costs, access to affordable housing, the high cost of production, student loan debt, climate change, immigration issues and access to federal programs. The Next Generation Farmer Fund helps deliver the resources and support they need to build their businesses, while recognizing the indispensable role they play as environmental stewards and community leaders."
As the founding financial partner, Whole Foods Market has committed to matching participating food brands' and agriculture companies' contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000, with the goal of generating more than $1 million for farmers. Administered by Young Farmers, the fund brings together industry partners to help reduce barriers for beginning farmers and strengthen the future of American agriculture. Initial supporting partners include D'Ottavio Farms, Fishwife Tinned Seafood Co., FOND, Harney & Sons, Lil Bucks, Lundberg Family Farms, MadeGood, MegaFood, Nature's Bakery proudly part of Mars, Oppy, PepsiCo, Perdue, Prairie Farms and Rio Fresh.
Building pathways for farmers to develop sustainable livelihoods directly supports Whole Foods Market Foundation's mission to nourish people by advancing food security, improving nutrition, and strengthening resilient food systems. The Foundation expects to contribute a $100,000 grant to the fund in 2026.
Whole Foods Market customers can help support the fund as well. During the month of August, one percent of all revenue generated by sales of the signature Berry Chantilly Cake will be directed to the Next Generation Farmer Fund.
The Next Generation Farmer Fund is a cornerstone of Whole Foods Market's broader commitment to sustainability, as highlighted in its 2025 Impact Report, also released today. The report illustrates the company's higher purpose to Nourish People and the Planet and details progress across the company's key focus areas, including:
"Every data point in our 2025 Impact Report represents the daily dedication of our team members, suppliers and stakeholders across the industry to protect our food system and nourish communities," said Caitlin Leibert, Global Head of Sustainability at Amazon Worldwide Grocery. "From promoting biodiversity to keeping more food than ever out of landfills, this report shows how we are fulfilling our purpose to Nourish People and the Planet. The Next Generation Farmer Fund builds directly on this purpose, ensuring the next wave of agricultural leaders can carry this progress forward."
Check out more information on the Next Generation Farmer Fund and Whole Foods Market's 2025 Impact Report here: wholefoods.com/impact
About Whole Foods Market
Founded in 1980, Austin-based Whole Foods Market is the leading natural and organic foods retailer and the first certified organic national grocer in the United States. Part of Amazon's Worldwide Grocery Stores, Whole Foods Market serves customers in more than 550 stores across the U.S., Canada and the U.K. To learn more about Whole Foods Market, please visit media.wholefoodsmarket.com.
About National Young Farmers Coalition
The National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) is a national grassroots network of young farmers changing policy and shifting power to equitably resource the new generation of working farmers. Visit Young Farmers on the web at youngfarmers.org.
Whole Foods Market will match up to $500 thousand for the National Young Farmers Coalition's Next Generation Farmer Fund
ESPOO, Finland & TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 15, 2026--
IQM Quantum Computers, a global leader in superconducting quantum computers, today announced that TOYO Corporation has purchased a second full-stack quantum computer, IQM Spark. This expands TOYO's quantum footprint and reinforces IQM's commitment to driving quantum acceleration in Japan.
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The Spark system will be installed at TOYO's R&D center in Kiba, Tokyo, and will be operational in early 2027, enabling hands-on learning from fundamental quantum computing education to algorithm validation and verification.
This announcement follows TOYO's earlier acquisition of an IQM Radiance 20-qubit quantum computer, planned for installation at the end of 2026 at the Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI technology (G-QuAT), a research facility operated by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).
Together, the two deployments underscore growing demand for IQM's on-premises quantum computers. TOYO is also playing a key role in advancing quantum computing technology in Japan, and owning the systems enables the company to extend capability into the ecosystem in a way that advances its own goals while accelerating adoption where it's needed most.
“What makes this purchase matter isn't that TOYO bought a second system, it's what they're choosing to do with them. TOYO is sharing the capabilities for educational purposes, they're opening it up to the universities, startups, and researchers who make up Japan's quantum ecosystem,” said Jan Goetz, CEO and Co-founder of IQM Quantum Computers. “That is the entire idea behind owning your own machine; you get to decide whom it serves. Japan has quantum goals to hit by 2030. You don't get there with machines nobody else can touch; you get there because a company like TOYO chose to share access to the ones it now owns."
Once operational, the systems will be available to domestic companies, organizations, research institutes, and universities. In addition, the systems will also serve as a testbed for evaluating and verifying components and related technologies used in superconducting quantum computers under real operating conditions.
Toshiya Kohno, Representative Director, President and CEO, TOYO Corporation, said: “We believe that accelerating the adoption of quantum technologies requires environments where companies, universities, and researchers can gain hands-on experience with real quantum computers. By deploying IQM Spark at our R&D center and linking it with IQM Radiance 20, we will support a broad range of needs across different stages of quantum adoption, including talent development, technology validation, use case creation, and advanced research. Through these complementary systems, we aim to broaden access to quantum computing and contribute to the advancement and real-world adoption of quantum technologies in Japan. Through our Quantum Solutions business, TOYO Corporation will continue to expand access to the value of quantum technologies and support the sustainable growth of Japan’s quantum ecosystem.”
The deployments add to a period of sustained commercial momentum for IQM. The company began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and Helsinki Stock Exchange in July 2026, becoming the first European quantum computing company listed on a major U.S. exchange.
In August, IQM reported that its order backlog had grown past €102 million, with 26 full-stack systems sold and 17 delivered globally, including its first system in the United States.
About IQM Quantum Computers
IQM Quantum Computers (Nasdaq: IQMX) is a global leader in superconducting quantum computers, delivering full-stack quantum systems and cloud platform access to enterprises, research institutions, universities, high-performance computing centers, and national laboratories worldwide. IQM's open, modular architecture allows customers to own, operate, and integrate quantum systems directly into their own infrastructure, building lasting technical capability rather than relying solely on remote access. Founded in 2018, IQM is headquartered in Espoo, Finland, with major operations in Munich, Germany, and has sold more quantum systems than any other manufacturer to date. IQM employs over 450 people and operates across Europe, Asia, and North America. IQM is the first publicly listed European quantum company on Nasdaq Stock Market.
About TOYO Corporation
TOYO Corporation (Head Office: Tokyo, Japan) contributes to technological innovations as a leading provider of advanced measurement solutions. Through its variety of business segments - Sustainable Energy, Advanced Mobility, ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) and Information Security, EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) and Antenna Systems, Defense and Security, Ocean, Software Quality and Productivity, Life Science, and Quantum Solutions, the company is focused on providing solutions to emerging markets such as clean energy and autonomous vehicle development. TOYO also makes significant R&D investments to develop in-house technologies and products, and its growth strategies include investing in new business, conducting M&A, and developing its market presence in global markets. By making available the most advanced market-based solutions, TOYO is at the forefront of helping to shape a safe and environmentally-friendly society and develop industries.
TOYO Corporation opens its quantum computers to Japan's ecosystem
