UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 11-K

x
Annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the year ended December 31, 2015; or
 
 
o
Transition report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from __________ to __________.

Commission File Number:  0-19797

___________________________________________________________



A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

WHOLE FOODS MARKET GROWING YOUR FUTURE 401(k) PLAN


B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:

WHOLE FOODS MARKET, INC.
550 Bowie Street
Austin, Texas 78703


___________________________________________________________






Whole Foods Market Growing Your Future 401(k) Plan
Form 11-K
Table of Contents






Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Benefits Administrative Committee
Whole Foods Market Growing Your Future 401(k) Plan

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of Whole Foods Market Growing Your Future 401(k) Plan (the “Plan”) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The supplemental information in the accompanying schedule of assets as of December 31, 2015 has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the Plan’s financial statements. The supplemental information is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements, but includes supplemental information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental information is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the supplemental information reconciles to the financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable, and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the supplemental information. In forming our opinion on the supplemental information in the accompanying schedule, we evaluated whether the supplemental information, including its form and content, is presented in conformity with the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In our opinion, the supplemental information is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements as a whole.


/s/ Padgett, Stratemann & Co., L.L.P.
San Antonio, Texas
June 15, 2016


1


Whole Foods Market Growing Your Future 401(k) Plan
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014
(In thousands)

 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Assets
 
 
 
Investments – at fair value
$
753,416

 
$
759,705

Receivables:
 
 
 
Employer contributions
6,700

 
6,605

Notes receivable from participants
39,873

 
36,650

Other
11

 
25

Total receivables
46,584

 
43,280

Total assets
800,000

 
802,985

 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Excess contributions payable
91

 
8

Total liabilities
91

 
8

 
 
 
 
Net assets reflecting all investments at fair value
799,909

 
802,977

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
(202
)
 
(406
)
Net assets available for benefits
$
799,707

 
$
802,571


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


2


Whole Foods Market Growing Your Future 401(k) Plan
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
For the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014
(In thousands)

 
2015
 
2014
Additions:
 
 
 
Contributions:
 
 
 
Participants
$
99,254

 
$
92,086

Employer
6,700

 
6,309

Rollovers
3,904

 
5,084

Total contributions
109,858

 
103,479

Investment income:
 
 
 
Net change in fair value of investments
(53,035
)
 
9,919

Dividends and interest
17,526

 
19,270

Total investment income (loss)
(35,509
)
 
29,189

Total additions
74,349

 
132,668

Deductions:
 
 
 
Benefits paid to participants
73,404

 
56,106

Administrative expenses
3,809

 
3,387

Total deductions
77,213

 
59,493

Net increase (decrease)
(2,864
)
 
73,175

 
 
 
 
Net assets available for benefits at beginning of year
802,571

 
729,396

Net assets available for benefits at end of year
$
799,707

 
$
802,571


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



3


Whole Foods Market Growing Your Future 401(k) Plan
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2015


(1) Description of Plan
The following description of Whole Foods Market Growing Your Future 401(k) Plan (the “Plan”) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan agreement for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.

General
The Plan is a defined contribution plan established January 1, 2002 by Whole Foods Market, Inc. (the “Company” or “Plan Sponsor”) for the benefit of certain employees who have completed one hour of service and are age 18 or older. The Plan was amended and restated effective October 1, 2015 and is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”).

Contributions
Each year participants may contribute up to 100% of pretax compensation, as defined in the Plan, up to the maximum allowed under the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”). Participants may also contribute amounts representing distributions from other qualified defined benefit or defined contribution plans. The Plan will automatically enroll eligible employees, at 3.0% of annual compensation, who do not decline participation or enroll prior to 180 days after becoming eligible. The Plan allows a Company matching contribution in an amount determined by the Board of Directors. The Company made a matching contribution on behalf of each eligible participant equal to 15.7% and 15.5% of the first $1,000 of each such participant’s contributions in 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The Company’s matching contributions for each year were made to the Plan in the following year and therefore were recorded as a receivable at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The Company’s matching contribution may be made in the form of the Company’s common stock or in cash. Contributions are subject to certain limitations.

The 2015 and 2014 matching contributions were made in cash and were invested according to the participants’ investment directions in place on the date of contribution, in accordance with Plan procedures.

Participant Accounts
Participants direct the investment of their account into various investment options offered by the Plan.

Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contributions and allocations of the Company’s matching contribution and Plan earnings and charged with an allocation of administrative expenses. Allocations of the Company’s matching contributions are based on the amount of each participant’s contributions and allocations of earnings are based on each participant’s account balances and his or her individual investment options. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be derived from the participant’s vested account.

Vesting
Participants are immediately vested in all contributions plus actual earnings thereon.

Notes Receivable From Participants
Participants may borrow from their fund accounts a minimum of $500, up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their account balance. The loans are secured by the balance in the participant’s account and bear a reasonable rate of interest, as determined by the Plan administrator. Principal and interest are paid by participants through payroll deductions.

Payment of Benefits
On termination of service, a participant or his or her beneficiary may elect to receive a lump-sum distribution equal to the value of the participant’s vested interest in his or her account. Any balance that does not exceed $5,000 is automatically paid out as soon as administratively possible. In the absence of an election by the participant within the time period specified by the Plan administrator, any balance that exceeds $1,000 but does not exceed $5,000 is paid as a direct rollover to an individual retirement plan designated by the Plan administrator and any balance that does not exceed $1,000 is paid directly to the participant in the form of a cash, lump-sum distribution. Hardship withdrawals are also available prior to a participant’s termination of service, subject to certain limitations. Participants may elect to take a partial or complete withdrawal of their account prior to termination of service after attaining age 59½ or in the event of their disability. Participants may also elect to receive a withdrawal of their rollover contributions at any time.


4


Forfeitures
Participant forfeitures may be used to reduce future employer contributions and pay the expenses of the Plan. At December 31, 2015 and 2014 , forfeitures arising from lost participants, uncashed checks, etc. totaled approximately $286,000 and $316,000, respectively. The 2015 and 2014 employer contributions were reduced by approximately $147,000 and $169,000 of forfeitures, respectively.

Expenses of the Plan
Plan fees and expenses, including fees and expenses connected with providing administrative services by external service providers, are paid from Plan assets. Allocation of administrative expenses is based on expenses that are chargeable to individual participants and as a pro rata amount of the overall Plan administrative expenses.

(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Accounting
The accompanying financial statements of the Plan are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Plan administrator to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of net assets available for benefits and changes therein. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition
Investments are reported at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be recognized to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. See Note 4 for disclosure of fair value measurements.

Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Net change in value includes the Plan’s gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year.

Investment contracts held by a defined contribution plan are required to be reported at fair value. However, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits of a defined contribution plan attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan. As required, the statements of net assets available for benefits present the fair value of the investment contracts, as well as the adjustment of the fully benefit-responsive investment contracts from fair value to contract value. The statements of changes in net assets available for benefits are prepared on a contract value basis.

Notes Receivable From Participants
Notes receivable from participants are measured at their unpaid principal balance plus accrued but unpaid interest.

Excess Contributions Payable
The IRC limits the amount of contributions that a participant may defer on a pre-tax basis into the Plan during a calendar year. If a participant exceeds this limit, the Plan is required to return the deferrals in excess of the statutory limit. In addition, the IRC limits the amount of contributions that highly compensated participants may defer into the Plan during a plan year based on the amount deferred during that period by non-highly compensated participants. If deferrals made by highly compensated participants exceed the applicable limit, the Plan is required to refund the excess contributions to certain highly compensated participants. Finally, the IRC limits the total amount of employer contributions and participant deferrals that may be contributed on behalf of any participant during a plan year and requires that amounts in excess of that limit either be returned to participants or forfeited, as applicable. The Plan distributed 2015 and 2014 excess amounts to the applicable participants in 2016 and 2015, respectively, as required by the IRC. Distributions payable to participants for amounts in excess of the statutory limits are recorded as a liability with a corresponding reduction to contributions.

Payment of Benefits
Benefits are recorded when paid.


5


Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-07, “Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent),” which amends Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurement.” The amendments remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The amendments also remove the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and should be applied on a retrospective basis. The provisions are effective for the year ending December 31, 2016. We do not expect the adoption of these provisions to have a significant impact on the Plan’s financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-12, “Plan Accounting: Defined Benefit Pension Plans (Topic 960), Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962), Health and Welfare Benefit Plans (Topic 965): (Part I) Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts, (Part II) Plan Investment Disclosures, (Part III) Measurement Date Practical Expedient (consensuses of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).” The amendments require fully benefit-responsive investment contracts to be measured, presented and disclosed only at contract value, not fair value; simplify the investment disclosure requirements; and provide a measurement date practical expedient for employee benefit plans. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Part I and Part II should be applied on a retrospective basis and Part III should be applied prospectively. The provisions are effective for the year ending December 31, 2016. We do not expect the adoption of these provisions to have a significant impact on the Plan’s financial statements.

(3) Investments
The following table presents investments that represent 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets at the dates indicated (in thousands):
Description of Investment
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Trust II
$
63,214

 
$
59,801

Whole Foods Market, Inc. common stock
62,609

 
100,423

Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Trust II
61,734

 
58,466

Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Trust II
50,903

 
48,594

Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
48,327

 
46,724

Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Trust II
48,028

 
44,977

Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Trust II
42,327

 
*

* Did not meet the 5% criteria at the respective financial statement date

The Plan’s investments, including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year, changed in fair value as follows during the years indicated (in thousands):
 
2015
 
2014
Mutual funds
$
(14,871
)
 
$
1,131

Collective trusts
(4,534
)
 
23,549

Whole Foods Market, Inc. common stock
(33,630
)
 
(14,761
)
 
$
(53,035
)
 
$
9,919


(4) Fair Value Measurements
The Plan’s financial assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles. This framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:

Level 1: Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3: Inputs that are generally unobservable. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.

The asset or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques that are used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.


6


Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value. There have been no changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2015 and 2014 :

Mutual Funds: Valued using the net asset value (“NAV”) of shares held by the Plan at year-end. NAV is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the fund, minus its liabilities, divided by the number of shares outstanding. NAV is a quoted price in an active market and classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

Collective Trust Funds: Valued at the NAV of units of a bank collective trust fund. The NAV, as provided by the trustee, is used as a practical expedient to estimate fair value. The NAV is based on the fair value of the underlying investments held by the fund less its liabilities. This practical expedient is not used when it is determined to be probable that the fund will sell the investment for an amount different than the reported NAV. Participant transactions (purchases and sales) may occur daily. Were the Plan to initiate a full redemption of the collective trust fund, the investment adviser reserves the right to temporarily delay withdrawal from the collective trust fund in order to ensure that securities liquidations will be carried out in an orderly business manner. The collective trust funds are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio Fund: Consists primarily of fixed income investments wrapped with insurance contracts and is valued using NAV provided by the administrator of the fund. The fixed income investments are valued at their net asset value, and the fair value of the wrapped insurance contracts is determined using a discounted cash flow model, with inputs derived from observable market data. This fund is classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.

Fidelity BrokerageLink Self-directed Brokerage Accounts: The underlying investments, which consist primarily of interest-bearing cash accounts and individual corporate common stocks, are valued at the closing price reported on the open market and are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

Whole Foods Market, Inc. Common Stock: Valued at the closing price reported in the active market on which the individual securities are traded and classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

The methods noted above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, although the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.

The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
December 31, 2015
Level 1 Inputs

 
Level 2 Inputs

 
Level 3 Inputs

 
Total

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Large-cap funds
$
145,415

 
$

 
$

 
$
145,415

Mid-cap funds
12,059

 

 

 
12,059

Small-cap funds
32,017

 

 

 
32,017

International funds
34,689

 

 

 
34,689

Income funds
45,403

 

 

 
45,403

Money market fund
74

 

 

 
74

Other
2,607

 

 

 
2,607

Collective trusts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Blended funds

 
384,299

 

 
384,299

Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio II Class 1 Fund

 
28,343

 

 
28,343

Fidelity BrokerageLink self-directed brokerage account
5,901

 

 

 
5,901

Whole Foods Market, Inc. common stock
62,609

 

 

 
62,609

 
$
340,774

 
$
412,642

 
$

 
$
753,416



7


December 31, 2014
Level 1 Inputs

 
Level 2 Inputs

 
Level 3 Inputs

 
Total

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Large-cap funds
$
141,442

 
$

 
$

 
$
141,442

Mid-cap funds
12,691

 

 

 
12,691

Small-cap funds
32,843

 

 

 
32,843

International funds
31,748

 

 

 
31,748

Income funds
44,469

 

 

 
44,469

Money market fund
56

 

 

 
56

Other
2,418

 

 

 
2,418

Collective trusts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Blended funds

 
360,488

 

 
360,488

Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio II Class 1 Fund

 
28,183

 

 
28,183

Fidelity BrokerageLink self-directed brokerage account
4,944

 

 

 
4,944

Whole Foods Market, Inc. common stock
100,423

 

 

 
100,423

 
$
371,034

 
$
388,671

 
$

 
$
759,705


(5) Guaranteed Investment Contract
The Plan has entered into a benefit-responsive investment contract with Fidelity Management Trust Company (“Fidelity”), the Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio Fund. Fidelity maintains the contributions in a general account. The account is credited with earnings on the underlying investments and charged for participant withdrawals and administrative expenses. The guaranteed investment contract issuer is contractually obligated to repay the principal and a specified interest rate that is guaranteed to the Plan.

Because the guaranteed investment contract is fully benefit-responsive, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits attributable to the guaranteed investment contract. Contract value, as reported to the Plan by Fidelity, represents contributions made under the contract, plus earnings, less participant withdrawals and administrative expenses. Participants may ordinarily direct the withdrawal or transfer of all or a portion of their investments at contract value. The Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits present the related fund at fair value, with an additional line item showing an adjustment from fair value to contract value.

Certain events limit the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value with the issuer. Such events include the following: (1) amendments to the Plan documents (including complete or partial Plan termination or merger with another plan); (2) changes to Plan’s prohibition on competing investment options or deletion of equity wash provisions; (3) bankruptcy of the Plan sponsor or other Plan sponsor events (e.g., divestitures or spin-offs of a subsidiary) that cause a significant withdrawal from the Plan; or (4) the failure of the trust to qualify for exemption from federal income taxes or any required prohibited transaction exemption under ERISA. The Plan administrator does not believe the occurrence of any such value event, which would limit the Plan’s ability to transact at contract value with participants, is probable.

The average yields consist of the following for the years ended:
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Based on actual earnings
1.97
%
 
1.70
%
Based on interest rate credited to participants
1.52
%
 
1.38
%

(6) Party-in-Interest Transactions
Certain Plan investments are shares of mutual funds managed by Fidelity. Fidelity is the custodian as defined by the Plan and, therefore, these investments qualify as party-in-interest transactions. The Plan also invests in shares of common stock of Whole Foods Market, Inc., the Plan Sponsor.

(7) Plan Termination
Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Plan Sponsor has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA.



8


(8) Tax Status
The Internal Revenue Service has determined and informed the Company by a letter dated August 12, 2013, that the Plan and related trust are designed in accordance with applicable sections of the IRC. Although the Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter, the Plan administrator and the Company’s benefits counsel believe the Plan is designed, and is currently being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC and, therefore, believe the Plan is qualified and the related trust is tax-exempt.

The Plan is not currently under audit and is no longer subject to United States federal income tax examinations by authorities for years before 2012.

(9) Risks and Uncertainties
The Plan invests in various investment securities. Investments are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market, and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investments, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investments will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits.

(10) Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500
The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to Form 5500 as of the dates indicated (in thousands):
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
$
799,707

 
$
802,571

Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
202

 
406

Net assets available for benefits per Form 5500
$
799,909

 
$
802,977


The following is a reconciliation of the net increase in net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to Form 5500 for the years ended (in thousands):
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Net increase (decrease) in net assets available for benefits per financial statements
$
(2,864
)
 
$
73,175

Prior year adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
(406
)
 
(397
)
Current year adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
202

 
406

Net income (loss) per Form 5500
$
(3,068
)
 
$
73,184



9


Whole Foods Market Growing Your Future 401(k) Plan
Supplemental Schedule
(In thousands)

Whole Foods Market Growing Your Future 401(k) Plan
EIN: 74-1989366

Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
Plan No.: 002
December 31, 2015

(a)
(b) Identity of issuer, borrower, lessor, or similar party
(c) Description of investment including maturity date, rate of interest, collateral, par, or maturity value
(d) Cost **
(e) Current value
*
Whole Foods Market, Inc. common stock
Common stock
N/A
$
62,609

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2010 Trust II
Collective trust
N/A
8,600

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Trust II
Collective trust
N/A
11,294

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Trust II
Collective trust
N/A
31,945

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Trust II
Collective trust
N/A
35,065

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Trust II
Collective trust
N/A
48,028

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Trust II
Collective trust
N/A
42,327

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Trust II
Collective trust
N/A
50,903

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Trust II
Collective trust
N/A
63,214

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Trust II
Collective trust
N/A
61,734

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Trust II
Collective trust
N/A
23,983

 
Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Trust II
Collective trust
N/A
4,179

 
Vanguard Target Retirement Income Trust II
Collective trust
N/A
3,027

 
Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund
Mutual fund
N/A
19,192

*
Fidelity Capital & Income Fund
Mutual fund
N/A
14,622

 
Vanguard Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Admiral Shares
Mutual fund
N/A
2,607

 
Metropolitan West Total Return Bond Fund Plan
Mutual fund
N/A
26,797

*
Fidelity DFA US Sustainability Core 1
Mutual fund
N/A
12,969

 
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
Mutual fund
N/A
48,327

*
Fidelity Capital Appreciation K Fund
Mutual fund
N/A
32,746

*
Fidelity Contrafund K
Mutual fund
N/A
38,277

 
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund
Mutual fund
N/A
13,095

 
Vanguard Total Bond Market Admiral
Mutual fund
N/A
3,519

 
Spartan Extended Market Index Fund
Mutual fund
N/A
12,059

*
Fidelity Money Market Trust Retirement Government Money Market Portfolio
Mutual fund
N/A
74

 
Vanguard Explorer Fund Admiral Shares
Mutual fund
N/A
21,835

 
American Beacon Small Cap Value Fund
Mutual fund
N/A
10,183

 
Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Admiral Shares
Mutual fund
N/A
464

 
American Funds New Perspective Fund Class R-6
Mutual fund
N/A
15,498

*
Fidelity Managed Income Portfolio II Class 1 Fund
Stable value fund
N/A
28,343

 
Fidelity BrokerageLink
Self-directed brokerage accounts
N/A
5,901

 
Participant loans
Interest rates ranging from 4.25% to 10.25% with various maturities through 2030
 
39,873

* Party-in-interest.
** Cost information omitted for all participant-directed funds.

10


SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
 
 
WHOLE FOODS MARKET GROWING YOUR FUTURE 401(k) PLAN
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
June 17, 2016
 
By:
/s/ Keith C. Morrison
 
 
 
 
Keith C. Morrison
 
 
 
 
Chairman, Benefits Administrative Committee
 
 
 
 
Whole Foods Market, Inc.


11


Exhibit Index

Exhibit 23.1    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

12
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