’Tis the Season: December’s Guide to Nonprofit Giving
This article first appeared in the December 2024 issue of Presence Marketing’s newsletter.
By Steven Hoffman
December is a time when the conscious CPG industry traditionally leans in to support nonprofit organizations dedicated to healthy living, the environment, community development, social justice, nutrition and hunger, animal welfare, education and more. Ask anyone in the natural channel what mission they support and more often than not, you’ll get a passionate earful. Surely, you and/or your company have particular causes you support. Yet, in this season of giving, we’d like to present 12 nonprofits worthy of consideration for their invaluable contributions to people and the planet.
Adopt a Native Elder
For more than 30 years, Adopt-A-Native-Elder (ANE) has used an integrated approach to go beyond charity to assist traditional elders on the Navajo Reservation in Utah and Arizona. ANE serves to help reduce extreme poverty, food insecurity and hardship facing traditional elders living on the Navajo Reservation. ANE is a humanitarian organization focused on delivering food, medical supplies, firewood and other forms of elder support while honoring the tradition and dignity of Navajo elders. ANE also offers one-of-a-kind, handmade woven rugs and jewelry available for sale, in which 100% of the proceeds benefit the elder artist.
Alaffia Foundation
Growing up and working to support his family in Togo, West Africa, Alaffia founder Olowo-n’djo Tchala witnessed firsthand the injustices and inequalities many of the women in his village faced. After attending university in the U.S., he felt driven to do something about it. In 1996, Tchala met his partner Prairie Rose Hyde, who served in his village as a Peace Corps volunteer. Inspired by a shared mission, the two launched Alaffia’s first shea butter collective in 2003. In 2004 they established the Alaffia brand in the U.S. Alaffia partners with Global Alliance for Community Empowerment (GACE), a 501(c)3 organization, to empower women and their communities in West Africa by investing in fair trade, maternal care, child education, clean water and climate change.
Comparsa
Comparsa is a documentary film dedicated to shining a light on a group of young women in Guatemala who use performance art to empower their community against gender-based violence. Directed by veteran filmmakers Vickie Curtis and Doug Anderson, Comparsa follows sisters Lesli and Lupe, who are spurred to action after the murder of their friend Siona in a fire. Driven to overcome a culture of silence, the sisters stage a grand public performance called a "comparsa" to raise awareness and combat violence against women, and to inspire a new generation of young leaders in Latin America. The nonprofit Girl Rising team is collaborating with the filmmakers of Comparsa to share Lesli and Lupe’s inspiring story.
Conscious Alliance
From exchanging copies of a poster donated by the String Cheese Incident to concertgoers at Denver’s Fillmore Auditorium for cans of food for a food drive in 2002, today Conscious Alliance operates out of an 11,000-square-foot distribution center, serving local communities and Native Americans, in particular the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Working with top bands and musicians, including Dave Matthews, Widespread Panic and others, along with renowned poster artists, Conscious Alliance’s Art that Feeds program has delivered millions of pounds of food and helps feed students at all 15 schools on the Pine Ridge Reservation. The group also serves communities hit by natural disasters. Conscious Alliance works directly with natural food companies for product donations. Buy a concert poster and make a donation at ConsciousAlliance.org.
The HerbiCulture Project
Established by Catherine Hunziker, founder of herbal products leader WishGarden Herbs, The HerbiCulture Project (HCP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing medicinal plants while promoting regenerative production methods to ensure the highest quality botanicals, and to rebuild soil health and sequester carbon. HCP brings together a network of herbalists, regenerative farmers, permaculturists, researchers, soil health and climate specialists, nutritional supplement providers, agri-voltaic leaders and more. HCP has a mission of reintroducing medicinal herb crops at scale domestically as a solution to three critical issues: 1) Generate more lucrative crop revenues and healthier soil for farmers, 2) Support a growing demand and need for sustainable wellness ingredients sourced in the U.S., and 3) Introduce strategies that can improve soil health, which is at the root of our climate crisis. Visit The HerbiCulture Project’s Go Fund Me Page to donate.
Kiss the Ground
With award-winning documentary films and storytelling, educational materials and partnering with companies, Kiss the Ground (KTG) is at the forefront of advancing regenerative agriculture. Founded in 2013, KTG holds the vision that every person has a unique way to participate in the reverence, stewardship and regeneration of the planet. In 2020, in partnership with Big Picture Ranch, Kiss The Ground released a groundbreaking documentary on Netflix narrated by Woody Harrelson. The film and its sequel, Common Ground, which have been viewed by millions of people, explore regenerative agriculture, an innovative approach to farming that combines indigenous knowledge, holistic management and modern science and has the potential to heal the planet, create food security and mitigate climate change. Learn more about partnering with KTG here.
Living Lands & Waters
After years of being told "no" by the government, in 1997, East Moline, Illinois, resident Chad Pregracke decided to start cleaning up the Mississippi River by himself, founding Living Lands & Waters. Inspired by NASCAR races, the nonprofit organization received its first sponsorship, and Chad was able to remove 45,000 pounds of refuse from the river in his first year. Today, with the help of more than 126,500 volunteers and supporters, Living Lands & Waters hosts river cleanups, watershed conservation initiatives, educational workshops, tree plantings and other environmental efforts. Since the organization was founded, it has grown to be the only “industrial strength” river cleanup organization like it in the world, and has removed over 13 million pounds of garbage from U.S. waterways. Learn more about Living Lands & Waters in this video, and contribute here.
Rodale Institute
Celebrating more than 75 years of organic leadership, The Rodale Institute remains at the vanguard of science and best practices in advancing organic and regenerative agriculture. Rodale's nearly four-decades-long flagship study, the Farming Systems Trial, has scientifically proven that organic agriculture performs as well as, if not better than, conventional agriculture. Rodale focuses on demonstrating the power of nutrient-dense organic food in preventing and reversing diseases and works to create economic vitality in rural communities by training tomorrow’s organic farmers. Rodale also partners with schools, hospitals and other community organizations to help people make informed choices about the food they eat and how that impacts their health. Visit https://rodaleinstitute.org.
Salt & Light Coalition
Based in Chicago, the Salt & Light Coalition is a grassroots organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of human trafficking through mind-body restoration and workforce development. Salt & Light believes that yoga, fitness, proper nutrition and spirituality can change the world. The organization provides a one-year program for survivors of trafficking that focuses on healing, job training and building self-sufficiency. Most victims are immigrants and people of color, says Salt & Light founder Isabel Olson, Ph.D. It's also an epidemic in our own back yard -- “Even though we’re not aware of it, 25,000 women are trafficked in the Chicago area every year. That’s two women every hour of every day,” Olson says. Learn more and contribute at https://saltandlightcoalition.com.
The Organic Center
The Organic Center (TOC) is the organic products industry’s leading independent research and education organization advocating for the nutritional, health, environmental and climate mitigating benefits of organic food and farming. Founded in 2002 as a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization under the administration of the Organic Trade Association, TOC collaborates with leading academic and governmental institutions to advance research on organic food and farming, and to communicate those findings to the public. TOC is hosting its second annual Organic Night Out fundraiser on March 5 at Expo West 2025, and is currently accepting nominations from brands and businesses for the Organic Champions Awards, to be presented at the event. Visit https://www.organic-center.org.
Vitamin Angels
Founded in 1994 by natural products industry veteran Howard Schiffer, Vitamin Angels is a public health nonprofit organization working to improve nutrition and health outcomes in low-resource settings worldwide. The organization helps to strengthen, extend and amplify the impact of partner organizations working to reach the most nutritionally vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, infants and children, with evidence-based nutrition interventions and health services. Vitamin Angels works with more than 2,000 local organizations, including governments, to reach more than 60 million women and children in 65 countries annually. Vitamin Angels will host its 2025 Celebration on March 4 at Expo West. Visit https://www.vitaminangels.org.
WomenServe
In 2006, Nioma Marissa Sadler traveled to Rajasthan, India, as the Goodwill Ambassador for leading tea company Traditional Medicinals. While visiting the farms, she would sit with local women and listen to their stories of the oppression that still exists in rural India. Inspired by the stories they shared, WomenServe was born. Since then, the organization has invested over $5 million, with a mission to cultivate self-reliance in women and their communities by providing platforms and skills that foster community engagement, advocacy and collective participation. "Through amplifying women's voices and leveraging their strengths, we enhance local power and resilience. Rajasthan is just the start of our mission to establish gender equity and transform the lives of women and girls," says Nioma. Traditional Medicinals partners with WomenServe, particularly in farming communities in India. Visit https://www.womenserve.org.
Steven Hoffman is Managing Director of Compass Natural, providing public relations, brand marketing, social media and strategic business development services to natural, organic, sustainable and hemp/CBD products businesses. Contact steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com.
PETA Investigation Verifies Edward & Sons' Native Forest® and Let's Do Organic® Brands of Organic Coconut Products Are 'Monkey Labor-Free'
CARPINTERIA, Calif. (Nov. 20, 2024) – After visiting and conducting an extensive audit of organic food leader Edward & Sons Trading Company’s organic coconut supplier in Thailand, the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has officially verified that the Native Forest® and Let's Do Organic® brands are “monkey labor-free following PETA investigations."
"When we launched Native Forest Organic Coconut Milk in 2002 as the first certified organic coconut milk in North America, we partnered with a Thai supplier committed to sustainable, monkey-free harvesting practices. As a vegetarian company, we have kept animal well-being at the heart of our values from the very beginning," says Edward & Sons founder Joel Dee.
In October 2024, PETA issued an updated Shoppers Guide to educate consumers about this important issue and to identify brands that have been verified as monkey labor-free. Among a small number of coconut milk brands that PETA’s investigations identified as monkey labor-free are Edward & Sons’ Native Forest® brand of organic coconut milk products, and its Let’s Do Organic® line of organic coconut products.
“Our customers trust us to uphold the highest ethical standards, and PETA’s verification is a testament to our commitment. By offering monkey labor-free coconut products, we’re proud to give consumers high-quality organic options that align with their values," says Alison Cox, VP Sales & Marketing.
Soaring worldwide consumer demand for food products made from coconuts – including coconut water, coconut milk and plant-based coconut yogurt, among others – led to focused attention on a 2022 PETA exposé about the shocking abuse of monkeys by some Thai farmers, who use enslaved, forced monkey labor to harvest their coconuts.
“Curious, highly intelligent monkeys are denied mental stimulation, companionship, freedom and everything else that’s natural and important to them — all so they can be forced to pick coconuts. By purchasing from brands that support monkey labor-free coconut-harvesting methods, you’ll be helping to end the cruel practice of exploiting vulnerable monkeys while also sending a powerful message to companies that make products from coconuts picked using abusive methods,” PETA said in its updated Shoppers Guide. In addition to PETA’s monkey labor-free verification, Edward & Sons’ supplier partner’s farm has also been inspected and certified “Monkey Free” by the Thai Department of Labor under a program launched in 2023.
“Edward & Sons is dedicated to upholding our values by ensuring that all of our coconut products are ethically produced using no monkey labor,” says President Russell Parker. “Further, we actively support the Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand, providing care and shelter for monkeys affected by this cruel practice. We encourage everyone to support a humane coconut supply chain that respects animals and keeps the wild truly wild."
Learn More
About Edward & Sons®
Offering a unique portfolio of plant-based, natural, sustainable and organic grocery brands since 1978, including Native Forest®, Edward & Sons®, Let’s Do Organic® and more, Edward & Sons Trading Company, Inc. is known for its convenient and nourishing foods that support local economies and the environment. An independently owned business based in Carpinteria, California, Edward & Sons is committed to providing health-conscious consumers “Convenience Without Compromise®.” For more information, visit www.EdwardandSons.com and follow on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042
The Armory Selects JAMBAR as Official Energy Bar for Second Year in a Row
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (Nov. 14, 2024) – Popular West Coast energy bar maker JAMBAR has announced that, for the second consecutive year, the brand will sponsor the JAMBAR Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory in New York City. As the maker of the official energy bar for the event, set for Dec. 21, 2024, JAMBAR will be onsite to provide its energy bars to runners and to engage with the 200+ attending coaches and 3,000+ runners.
“The Armory is thrilled to have JAMBAR supporting our next track season. The brand has been such a pivotal partner over the past year and JAMBAR organic energy bars are the perfect nutritious snack for our athletes, coaches and spectators,” said Rita Finkel, co-president of The Armory Foundation.
Recognized as the fastest track in the world, The Armory is home to more records than any other facility. Each year, The Armory hosts more than 100 track and field competitions and hundreds of training sessions, welcoming more than 300,000 visitors. JAMBAR will be an official sponsor for the 2024-25 season along with other major partners including Nike, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and KPMG.
“It’s great to be in partnership with JAMBAR once again for this upcoming indoor season,” said Jonathan Schindel, co-president of The Armory Foundation. “They are a wonderful partner and have a terrific product for the thousands of athletes of all levels that visit The Armory and will have a huge impact at this year’s JAMBAR Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational on Dec. 21.”
The Armory has been a special place for many pro runners including JAMBAR-sponsored athletes Sage Hurta-Klecker and Joe Klecker, who have both previously raced at The Armory. Sage, who ran in this year’s Olympic Trials, will make an appearance at the JAMBAR Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational in December to represent JAMBAR and to cheer on thousands of young runners. Earlier this year, Sage competed at The Armory in the 1000m, 1500m and mile races. Says Sage: “The Armory is one of my favorite venues and like a second home. It’s so great to see JAMBAR and The Armory in partnership – it’s really the perfect energy bar for athletes pre and post race.” Sage will be at the JAMBAR booth during the Invitational and also will help distribute awards at the end of the races.
About The Armory
The Armory Foundation is a New York City nonprofit institution, with the mission of “Keeping Everyone on Track.” Each season, The Armory – the proud home of the Nike Track & Field Center – produces the Millrose Games, hosts more than 100 track and field meets and welcomes more than 300,000 visitors. Among its many youth sports and educational programs, including the acclaimed Armory College Prep program, The Armory runs the leading collegiate indoor track meets with the Dr. Sander Scorcher and the HBCU Showcase sponsored by KPMG. Additionally, The Armory hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with the Hispanic Games, the JAMBAR Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational, the Chocolate Milk Officials Hall of Fame Invitational, and the U.S. Marines Corps Holiday Classic. The Armory runs the CUIMC Team Relay Marathon, which is the world’s largest indoor marathon relay. The Armory is also the home to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame and dozens of very large education-focused events. For more information, visit Armory.NYC and ArmoryTrack.org.
About JAMBAR
In 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good not only about the ingredients they put in their bodies, but also about the positive impact they can have on their local communities. JAMBARs are made in the U.S. and crafted in small batches in the company’s own state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Northern California. A woman-owned business and a mission-based “conscious CPG brand,” JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support music and active living. JAMBAR is now available in popular run shops in the East including TC Run Co, Mill City Running, Austin Jarrow, Runner’s Retreat, PR Run & Walk and select Fleet Feets, as well as 150+ national and independent retailers including Winn Dixie, ShopRite, The Fresh Market, Fairway Market, PSK Superfoodtown and A Matter of Health. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Leading Gluten-Free Sorghum Producer, Nu Life Market, Wins Kansas’ 2024 Governor’s Award of Excellence
For manufacturers seeking the highest quality, regenerative and sustainable sorghum ingredients, now is the time to secure contracts and best pricing for 2025.
SCOTT CITY, Kansas (Nov. 13, 2024) – With the global market for gluten free foods expected to double from $6.7 billion to an estimated $14 billion within the next decade, one Kansas-based producer of high-quality, food-grade sorghum, Nu Life Market, has been recognized for its leadership in the growth of the gluten free market.
During a ceremony hosted in October by the Kansas Department of Commerce, it was announced that Nu Life Market was the recipient of the 2024 Governor’s Award of Excellence. “Nu Life Market … is a large contributor to our state’s growing economic success in the agribusiness and food processing industries,” Kansas Governor Laura Kelly said. “By honoring and showcasing their accomplishments, we aim to inspire other businesses to keep reaching for new opportunities across our state.”
In addition, Nu Life Market was recognized as Kansas’ 2024 Statewide Agribusiness Award winner, for companies that stand out in the agribusiness industry. Nu Life Market was among a record 346 businesses, organizations and individuals who were nominated for the Kansas Department of Commerce’s 2024 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards.
“With the growth in consumer demand for gluten free foods and foods that are sustainable, we’ve grown from processing a few hundred pounds of sorghum to millions of pounds annually. We’re now responsible for many of the food products you see that have grain sorghum as an ingredient,” said Nu Life Market founder and President Earl Roemer.
“Nu Life Market is proud to offer Western Kansas grain sorghum producers an opportunity to conserve the natural resources on their farms by utilizing regenerative agriculture production practices and add value to the sorghum grain they are currently harvesting,” Roemer added.
A Commitment to Sustainability and Food Safety
Nu Life Market is the largest dedicated grain sorghum milling and food processing company in the U.S. Since its founding in 2012 in the high plains of Kansas, where most of the country’s sorghum is grown, the company has established a fully traceable supply chain, working with farmers in the region to promote sustainable and regenerative practices.
“Our Farm to Family Food Safety Program reassures our customers that all precautions are taken to prevent potential cross contamination of gluten containing grains. We back this program by providing both internal and third party gluten analysis. Also, with high levels of heavy metals such as arsenic in rice being raised as a concern in gluten free products and baby foods, sorghum, with very low levels of such compounds, may be a safer ingredient option for manufacturers, bakers and food processors offering products in this category,” Roemer notes.
As the largest grain sorghum milling and food processing facility in the U.S., Nu Life Market can solve product development challenges that other major food companies and their food scientists cannot. The company developed specific varieties and milling processes for grain sorghum that translate into better tasting and textured food products.
In addition, Nu Life Market works closely with its farmer network to develop and incorporate strategies that reduce water usage and C02 emissions, as well as utilizing regenerative sorghum grain production practices such as no-till planting and low fertilizer usage.
Sorghum: ‘The Camel of Crops’
Sorghum, also known as milo, is a naturally nutritious, gluten-free, ancient grain that originated thousands of years ago in the arid lands of northern Africa. Given the crop’s impressive tolerance to heat and its drought resistance, sorghum is often referred to as the “Camel of Crops.” Sorghum plays a major role in the food security of millions of people in marginal agricultural areas throughout the world.
In the U.S., sorghum has found a home on the high plains of Western Kansas. The crop is capturing the attention of both growers and manufacturers for its resilience to climate change, and for its versatility as an ancient grain ingredient in gluten free baked goods, baby foods, breakfast cereals and “better for you” snack foods.
Western Kansas received ideal levels of moisture in the spring after the 2024 sorghum crop was planted. According to Roemer, the summer brought high temperatures with little rainfall, but late summer rains boosted grain quality, which translates into good yields in the mill and high quality sorghum ingredients. “Due to our fully integrated supply chain, we source sorghum directly from our team of growers and are able to secure excellent quality grain to fulfill 2025 customer contracts,” Roemer added.
For manufacturers seeking sorghum, Roemer advises that now is the time to secure contracts and best pricing for 2025. Email sales@nulifemarket.com, tel 620.872.5236.
About Nu Life Market
Based in Scott City, KS, Nu Life Market is the largest dedicated grain sorghum milling and food processing company in the U.S. For more information, visit nulifemarket.com, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X and YouTube.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com tel 303.807.1042
Food Contact Chemicals Used in Production and Packaging Are Finding Their Way Into Humans
This article first appeared in the October 2024 issue of Presence Marketing’s newsletter.
By Steven Hoffman
Researchers working with the Food Packaging Forum discovered that of the roughly 14,000 known chemicals that are used in food manufacturing and packaging, approximately 25% or 3,601 of these food contact chemicals (FCCs) have been found in the human body. The chemicals include bisphenol, PFAS, phthalates, metals, volatile organic compounds, and many others that have been linked to endocrine system disruption, diabetes, obesity, neurodevelopment disorders, cancer and other diseases.
The study, Evidence for Widespread Human Exposure to Food Contact Chemicals, published in September 2024 in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology, comprehensively searched biological data collections for detections of FCCs in humans, such as from samples of blood, urine, skin, and breast milk. The data is now assembled and available in a public listing with an interactive search tool.
“Our research helps to establish the link between food contact chemicals and human exposure, highlights chemicals that are overlooked in biomonitoring studies and supports research into safer food contact materials,” lead author Birgit Geueke, Ph.D., and Senior Scientific Officer at the Food Packaging Forum, said in a news release.
When the research team reviewed scientific literature to learn what is known about FCCs detected in humans, they concluded there is a broad lack of knowledge of the effect of these chemicals on human health, and the potential hazards of many of these chemicals have not yet been sufficiently investigated. For other chemicals that migrate from packaging into the food, such as synthetic antioxidants and oligomers (a type of non-intentionally added substance that may be present in plastic food contact materials), the authors pointed out that little is known about their presence in and impact on humans.
“Many of these FCCs have hazard properties of concern, and still others have never been tested for toxicity,” the researchers wrote. “Humans are known to be exposed to FCCs via foods, but the full extent of human exposure to all FCCs is unknown.” It also is likely that the actual number of FCCs in humans is even higher because only a subset of FCCs was investigated in detail, noted the study’s authors.
Dr. Jane Muncke, co-author of the study, expressed concern over such widespread chemical exposure, stating, "This work highlights the fact that food contact materials are not fully safe, even though they may comply with regulations, because they transfer known hazardous chemicals into people. We would like this new evidence base to be used for improving the safety of food contact materials—both in terms of regulations but also in the development of safer alternatives."
The Great Chemical Migration
From shrink wrap and takeout containers to plastic bottles and coated paperboard packaging, scientists have known for years that chemicals can migrate out of food packaging into the food itself. We all know not to microwave food in plastic packaging, as high temperatures can cause the plastic to leach into the food. Foods high in fat or acidity also tend to absorb more chemicals from packaging, reported the Washington Post. Foods packed into smaller containers have increased risk of chemical crossover, too — Muncke shared with the Washington Post that on a recent flight she was given a tiny container of salad dressing. “They served the salad with a 15ml little plastic bottle with olive oil and vinegar that you could pour over. I thought, ‘Well, I’m not doing that,’” she said.
Muncke also shared with the Washington Post that while most of the chemicals leaching from food packaging come from plastics, “Probably the worst one is recycled paper and cardboard. And I know that’s a hard one to stomach.” Recycling paper, cardboard or plastic for food packaging leads to non-food grade inks mixed in next to food, she said, adding to the chemical exposure risks. However, in a positive regulatory move, FDA announced in February 2024 that paper and paperboard food packaging coated with grease-proofing PFAS chemicals would no longer be sold in the U.S.
In January 2024, Consumer Reports published an investigation into plasticizers used in food packaging to make plastic containers softer, more flexible and durable. Phthalate compounds — the ones most commonly used as a plasticizer — are so ubiquitous that it has been reported that 95% of all humans have detectable levels of phthalates in their urine. What Consumer Reports found in tests of nearly 100 foods was that bisphenol and phthalates are widespread in food products. “We found them in almost every food we tested, often at high levels. The levels did not depend on packaging type, and no one particular type of food — say, dairy products or prepared meals — was more likely than another to have them,” Consumer Reports said. From canned sliced fruit to pasta to yogurt containers, the investigation found high levels of phthalates in the packaging. Some organic products the consumer advocacy group tested also were not immune to high levels phthalates detected in product packaging.
In addition to packaging, foods are often subject to chemical exposure in the production, manufacturing and potentially in the transport process. According to Consumer Reports, while early efforts to limit food exposure to such chemicals focused on packaging, “…it’s now clear that phthalates in particular can also get in from the plastic in the tubing, conveyor belts and gloves used during food processing, and can even enter directly into meat and produce via contaminated water and soil.”
Leah Segedie, founder of consumer advocacy group Mamavation, has conducted PFAS investigations into a number of different consumer products, and also to provide consumers with guidance in searching for products free of such chemicals. In 2022, she released a report about PFAS contamination of pasta sauces, both organic and conventional. Out of the 55 different pasta sauces she tested in 2021, 17 were organic and four of those, or approximately 25%, had detectable levels of PFAS.
“I believe that PFAS contamination of organic products is also taking place during the manufacturing process and when products get transported,” Segedie told Max Goldberg, Editor of Organic Insider. “What is touching the food? Was a contaminated lubrication used on a machine? Was food stored in a vat that was fluorinated, as it was crossing the Pacific Ocean in an incredibly hot shipping container? Does the food contain contaminated spices? All of these and many other variables are the reason why the end-product should be tested, not just the ingredient,” she said.
Finding PFAS Free Alternatives
Responding to growing concern over “forever chemicals” in food and consumer packaged goods, a number of natural, organic and conscious CPG companies are offering alternatives for products that contain PFAS. The Environmental Working Group compiled a list, updated in January 2024, of companies that have declared their products have no added PFAS, in including food, fashion, beauty care and other consumer products categories. Online retailer Thrive Market this year announced in a blog on its website that, “Though more research is needed, PFAS are being studied as potential carcinogens. This month, Thrive Market added PFAS to its list of non-compliant chemicals and substances, meaning that you won’t find it in any products on our site.”
Businesses such as HeyBamboo, a toilet paper brand made from 100% bamboo, is committed to using absolutely no plastic in its packaging. “The wrap is made from bamboo, and so is the core of our toilet paper and paper towel products,” said company founder and CEO Joslyn Faust. “We like to say that we’re sustainable to the core,” she said. Another emerging brand, Generation for Change, is committed to making plastic-free health and personal care products, stating that it’s “a company made for the plastic-free generation.” In 2022, FoodTank reported on 19 food and beverage companies looking to move beyond plastic packaging
For natural and organic food brands, Charles Haverfield, CEO of U.S. Packaging and Wrapping, offered this counsel in 2023 in Sustainable Packaging News: “Selecting suitable materials for organic packaging demands a discerning approach. Choose options that minimize the presence of unwanted chemicals while upholding organic and sustainable principles. Materials like compostable plastics, plant-based fibers and paper offer a natural breakdown without leaving behind harmful residues. Glass and metal containers, which are highly recyclable and chemically inert, limit interactions with the packaged goods. Steer clear of some conventional plastics, as they can harbor hazardous additives like phthalates and bisphenol-A. Instead, explore alternatives like bio-based plastics or cellulose-based materials. It's important to note that while aluminum is recyclable, certain aluminum-coated packaging materials may contain additional coatings that clash with organic principles.”
A number of packaging suppliers are offering PFAS free options, such as Good Start Packaging, Delfort, CarePac and others, which offer compostable fiber and paper food packaging with no added PFAS. In January 2024, Organic Produce Network reported that a new third-party packaging standard, GreenScreen Certified — a collaboration between the Center for Environmental Health and Clean Production Action — will certify packaging products that are free from PFAS, as well as “thousands of other chemicals of high concern to human health and the environment.”
Learn More
Video Abstract: Evidence for Widespread Human Exposure to Food Contact Chemicals
Full Study: Evidence for Widespread Human Exposure to Food Contact Chemicals
Summary of Study: Evidence for Widespread Human Exposure to Food Contact Chemicals
Database on Food Contact Chemicals Monitored in Humans (FCChumon)
Food Engineering Magazine: Get the PFAS Out of Food Packaging Materials ASAP
Guide to PFAS Free Food Packaging
Mamavation Guide to Avoiding Products with Forever Chemicals
Environmental Working Group Guide to Companies Marketing Alternatives for Products that Contain PFAS
Steven Hoffman is Managing Director of Compass Natural, providing public relations, brand marketing, social media and strategic business development services to natural, organic, sustainable and hemp/CBD products businesses. Contact steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com.
First-Ever Newtopia Now Reinvents the Natural Products Trade Show Experience Through Connection and Community
DENVER (Sept. 5, 2024) — Newtopia Now, the inaugural health and wellness event for the consumer-packaged goods (CPG) industry, organized by New Hope Network and held at the Colorado Convention Center, received over 7,000 registered attendees, 4,000 of whom were registered buyers, creating a vibrant environment where connection and community were at the heart of the experience. With 560 exhibiting companies, including 180 companies exhibiting at a trade show for the first time, Newtopia Now successfully reimagined the traditional trade show by focusing on authentic interactions and purposeful discovery.
Newtopia Now is the immersive experience designed to foster deep connections and provide a platform for emerging brands and product innovation within the conscious products industry through four intentionally curated neighborhoods: Thrive, exploring the future of human health; Represent, celebrating diverse founders and multicultural products; Regenerate, championing sustainability and environmental impact; and Glow, featuring conscious beauty and holistic wellness.
Attendees were introduced to a range of innovative activations, including the Thrive Café, Tasting Bar, Represent Kitchen and Glow Salon, all opportunities crafted to help buyers experience products in real-life applications and encourage engagement with sponsors and exhibitors. Beacon’s product discovery platform and the Newtopia Now show mobile app further informed connections before, during and after the show with product information and buyer criteria being incorporated throughout the event. A standout feature of the show format was also The Market, a unique experience where attendees could explore products through self-discovery in a natural, grocery store-like environment. Instead of traditional price tags, QR codes linked to Beacon Discovery profiles, enabling a seamless and educational experience.
Receptions throughout the Thrive and Regenerate neighborhoods offered attendees an occasion to mingle and sample functional beverages, zero-proof mocktails and tasty bites as consumer demand grows for mindful alternatives for snacks and refreshments.
The event also hosted speed networking sessions and curated one-on-one meetings through the event’s matchmaking program, Conscious Connections, designed to pair investors and retailers with emerging brands and products, offering a rapid and effective way to build valuable relationships. Additionally, to cultivate organic connections and further deepen the sense of community, attendees participated in offsite experiences such as yoga at Red Rocks Amphitheater, neighborhood-themed dine-arounds throughout Denver and a brunch for women in CPG at Ophelia’s.
“Conscious Connections made it easier to meet with the buyers that wanted to meet with us, which made our meetings that much more intentional,” noted Jessica Harvey, sales operations manager, Dr. Bronner's.
“Newtopia Now was everything we hoped for and more. The opportunity to sample our pizza with this audience and the connections we made were invaluable. The show was a game changer for our brand,” remarked Kristin Caman, founder and chief executive officer, Etalia.
Newtopia Now’s four stages, found throughout each of the neighborhoods, hosted an impressive lineup of content focused on inspiring and educating buyers, brands and other members of the CPG ecosystem looking to differentiate their businesses. Keynote speakers included culinary icon Carla Hall, Blue Zones founder Dan Buettner and Vitamin Shoppe Chief Executive Officer Lee Wright. Additionally, the content lineup brought to the stage leaders from top retailers including Whole Foods Market, Target, Bristol Farms, Ulta Beauty, PCC and Thrive Market, sharing insights that would help brands not only get into those retail stores but also more effectively move their products off shelves.
“It has been an eye-opening experience to meet so many diverse and innovative brands that I had never seen before here at Newtopia Now. Although this is still a large conference, it felt more intimate, and I have been able to connect deeper with brands as a result,” shared Rick Burian, senior manager of supplier diversity, Ulta Beauty.
“Newtopia Now feels different, this feels like the conscious connections we are looking for with brands,” added Le’Spencer Walker, director of merchandising vendor development, Target. Casey Gaston, executive leader of local and emerging brands for Whole Foods Market, noted on LinkedIn, “The energy at the show was incredible and I hope to see this kind of format, focused on new and emerging conscious brands and trends, continue. It was approachable, with excellent programming, and offered a lot of quality time and conversations for me and my team.”
Broadcast celebrity chef and entrepreneur Carla Hall expressed, “I am looking for products to move forward in the well-being space and this is a very captive audience to come and check out some of these things as I am looking for future partners.” Veena Krishnan, co-founder and chief operating officer of Daybird, winner of the first-ever Conscious Beauty Pitch Event Presented by Giannuzzi Lewendon, exclaimed, “Newtopia Now is electric and interactive. A lot of the people who are passing through the neighborhood are going through with intention; they are the buyers we want to talk to, and they are looking for brands like us.”
“Newtopia Now has proven the demand for authenticity and purpose in the natural products industry. From curating the space so likeminded brands and attendees would organically encounter each other, to the on- and off-site mindful moments that brought us closer together, our community needs these intimate and intentional touchpoints. We are more than a place to do business, we are a platform for learning, growing, expanding and uniting, as we strive to create a positive market that supports more health for our environment and our people,” explains Danica Cullins, Executive Vice President of Health and Nutrition, Informa Markets North America.
True to New Hope Network’s ethos, Newtopia Now demonstrated its commitment to sustainability throughout the event, from replanting all trees featured on the show floor across the Denver area in partnership with The Park People Association, to donating unused samples and merchandise featured at the show via the program We Don’t Waste, allowing brands to give back to the local communities. The implementation of reusable serve ware system r.Cup provided reusable plastic cups for large networking sessions, reducing trash and single-use plastic waste.
Newtopia Now is setting a new standard for industry events by blending innovation with intention. The event underscored the importance of creating conscious connections and building an experience that left a lasting impact on attendees. Buyers, retailers, brands and attendees can look forward to an even more impactful experience with all new community experiences packed into one day. As Newtopia Now continues to evolve, the event returns to Denver next year, Aug. 20-22, 2025.
Stay informed for the chance to be part of the health and nutrition industry’s most purposeful gathering. For more information, visit newtopianow.com.
About New Hope Network
New Hope Network is a leading authority in the healthy lifestyle products industry, offering solutions for the complete supply chain from manufacturers, retailers/distributors, service providers and ingredient suppliers. Through its comprehensive portfolio of content, events, data, research and consultative services, New Hope Network is dedicated to fostering a prosperous, high-integrity CPG and retail ecosystem that promotes health, joy and justice for all people while regenerating the planet. For more information, visit newhope.com.
About Informa Markets
Informa Markets, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. With a global reach and diverse portfolio of verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure, Informa Markets connects buyers and sellers worldwide through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. For more information, visit informamarkets.com.
Media Contact
New Hope Network Public Relations pr@newhope.com
JAMBAR Featured on CBS by Top Nutritionist as ‘Best Healthy Back to School Snack’
Renowned nutrition expert Mia Syn, M.S., R.D.N., highlights the balanced, organic whole food attributes of JAMBARs on CBS San Diego
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (Sept 29, 2024) – Mia Syn, a national on-air nutrition expert and one of the most recognized and trusted young dietitians in the country, featured JAMBAR as a “Healthy Back to School Snack” in the Aug. 23 airing on CBS San Diego. Syn has more TV appearances than any other young nutritionist in the country and has helped millions of viewers, readers and clients learn and implement healthier, sustainable eating habits.
"As a registered dietitian, I look for organic snacks like JAMBAR that are made with real food ingredients and offer a balance of protein and fiber to help keep kids from preschool through college satisfied and fueled between meals,” says Syn, M.S., R.D.N. “JAMBARs are delicious and don’t crumble or melt so they are perfect to toss in backpacks for lunch and snacks before or after sports. The Chocolate Cha Cha flavor is especially great for nut-free schools.”
Registered dietitian nutritionist Mia Syn
JAMBAR founder, food scientist and mother of six Jenny Maxwell estimates she’s made about 28,000 school lunches over the last two decades. So when parents tuck her JAMBAR energy bars into their kids’ backpacks, she knows they’ll fuel the school day in the most delicious and nutritious way possible.
"Having a nutrition expert like Mia recognize JAMBARs as some of the healthiest and most delicious snacks out there for kids is quite an accolade," says Maxwell. "Her advocacy for evidence-based nutrition is impressive. As a food scientist myself, I truly appreciate Mia's stamp of approval."
JAMBAR stands out with a unique blend of real-food organic ingredients that provide a nutritious option without compromising on the taste buds. Each JAMBAR provides 10g of protein and 4g of fiber, with no added oils or processed sugars. Every JAMBAR contains plant-based sunflower and/or milk protein, along with real maple syrup, honey and/or juices as sweeteners. All of JAMBAR’s five flavors are certified organic, gluten-free and non-GMO. Unlike other energy bars that crumble or melt, JAMBAR is made to endure, ensuring that they remain intact and tasty whether tucked into a bento box, lunchbox or backpack pocket.
JAMBAR founder and CEO Jennifer Maxwell is at center.
About JAMBAR
In 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good not only about the ingredients they put in their bodies, but also about the positive impact they can have on their local communities. JAMBARs are made in the U.S. and crafted in small batches in the company’s own state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Northern California. A woman-owned business and a mission-based “conscious CPG brand,” JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support music and active living. JAMBAR is available in leading grocers and specialty and athletic stores including Whole Foods, Safeway (NorCal Division), Raley’s Supermarkets, Erewhon, Mother’s Market & Kitchen, Lazy Acres, Gelson’s Markets, Earth Fare, The Fresh Market, Good Earth Natural Foods, Mollie Stone’s Markets, Nugget Market, Cambridge Naturals, United Market, Scotty’s Market, Lucky’s Market, Bon Appetit, Fleet Feet, and more.
Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.
About Mia Syn, M.S., R.D.N.
Mia Syn is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and author. She has been featured by dozens of major media outlets including Cosmopolitan and SHAPE and was named one of the top registered dietitians to follow on Instagram by Women’s Health magazine. You can follow her @nutritionbymia for daily nutrition tips and easy healthy recipes.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
HeyBamboo® Expands Into Brick and Mortar With 'Eco-Luxe' Toilet Paper and Paper Towels
‘Sustainable to the Core,’ the bleach-free, compostable, recyclable, zero-waste and plastic-free products are now available to retailers that prioritize sustainability and premium quality.
SAN FRANCISCO (Aug. 23, 2024) — HeyBamboo® founder and CEO Joslyn Faust is leading a sustainable paper revolution. HeyBamboo has been selling its “eco-luxe” premium quality toilet paper products successfully online to conscious consumers for the past year and the company is now poised to expand into select brick and mortar retail locations with the debut of retail packs of its bleach-free toilet paper and a new line of paper towels made from 100% bamboo.
HeyBamboo will debut the new retail line to natural channel and healthy lifestyle retail buyers at the upcoming Newtopia Now trade show, Aug. 25-28, 2024, in Denver. The company will exhibit in the Represent Neighborhood.
“Newtopia Now is the ideal place to launch the our new retail line since the focus is on having meaningful conversations with key buyers who are looking for conscious CPG brands on the cusp of industry trends,” notes Joslyn. “The show, with its focus on sustainability, wellness and diversity, is welcoming to me as an emerging, mission-based brand. As a female minority founder, that is important.”
HeyBamboo CEO & founder Joslyn Faust
Why Bamboo Is Best
Bamboo, a fast-growing, renewable resource, has incredibly powerful regenerative capabilities. Bamboo sequesters 2.03 metric tons of carbon per hectare per year and requires 30% less water than its traditional rivals during the manufacturing process.
HeyBamboo products are made from soft, strong and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified 100% bamboo. The toilet paper comes in a 3-ply, 360-sheet roll, with nine rolls to a retail box. The new retail paper towels are available in 3-roll packs with 150 2-ply half-sheets per roll. The packaging and core are also made from 100% recyclable and compostable bamboo, making the products septic safe, zero-waste and completely plastic free.
“We consider HeyBamboo to be the luxurious alternative to alternative toilet paper. Our products are sustainably sourced, offer superior performance, and are great for the planet and better for you and your family. Not to mention, HeyBamboo toilet paper and paper towels help keep trees in the ground, where they belong,” Joslyn says.
Answering Nature’s Call
When the toilet paper shortage hit during the Covid pandemic, Joslyn became curious and began looking into the impact of toilet paper manufacturing.
Each year the logging industry cuts down more than a million acres of virgin North American boreal forest, in large part to meet consumer demand for toilet paper. These forests are critical in sequestering carbon, and their destruction can lead to long-term environmental damage and climate change, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. In addition, Joslyn discovered that toxic chemicals including bleach and “forever chemicals” (PFAS) are used in the vast majority of toilet paper manufacturing.
Seeing an opportunity to change the paper products paradigm, Joslyn launched HeyBamboo to provide sustainable, bleach-free toilet paper.
“As a consumer, I was merely looking for something better for my family and realized there aren’t a lot of sustainable toilet paper brands on the market. They tend to be bleached, wrapped in plastic or expensive. So I decided to create an option made from bamboo that is soft, feels great, is a good value and has all the qualities conscious consumers care about,” she says.
About HeyBamboo
Established in 2023, HeyBamboo is a minority, woman-owned, conscious CPG brand dedicated to providing consumers with premium-quality “eco-luxe” sustainable paper products. HeyBamboo is a member of 1% for the Planet, One Tree Planted and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). For information, visit www.HeyBamboo.com and follow on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn.
For wholesale inquiries, contact hello@heybamboo.com.
Visit HeyBamboo at Newtopia Now in Booth 646 in the Represent Neighborhood featuring mission-based, Conscious CPG brands from traditionally underrepresented communities.
Learn More
Conscious CPG Voices: HeyBamboo Brings Sustainability and Inspiration to Newtopia Now
Leading Visibly: Joslyn Faust Is Leading a Sustainable Toilet Paper Revolution. Here’s How.
Video Podcast: Sustainable Innovations: A Conversation with Hey Bamboo Founder & CEO Joslyn Faust
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042
Conscious CPG Voices, Part II
These articles were originally published on the New Hope Network website
All articles by Steven Hoffman
How are “Conscious CPG” companies positioning themselves in today’s fast-changing consumer market—and how are they turning to the Newtopia Now as a vital new resource to advance their brand among key buyers and decision makers?
We asked the founders and leaders of 10 emerging brands who are exhibiting their innovations—many of them for the very first time at Newtopia Now—what factors drive their decisions today. Coming from diverse backgrounds, these entrepreneurs share at least one thing in common: The belief that gathering with peers, contemporaries, buyers, influencers, mentors, business leaders and others in an intimate setting is critical to learning about the marketplace, building relationships and growing your business and brand.
Better Sour brings global flavors to the candy aisle
Iranian Americans Bella Hughes and Semira Nikou grew up in Hawaii and have been best friends for 37 years. They met at a Nowruz party, celebrating the Iranian New Year in their hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii. Now, they are business partners, having launched Better Sour in 2023. Since then, the Austin, Texas-based, women-owned gummy candy brand featuring globally inspired sour flavors from the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific has been a darling of the natural and specialty foods industry and media, growing from 100 doors to over 1,500 retail accounts within 12 months of launching. The products are 100% plant based, with 3g of sugar per bag. Better Sour was a 2024 Natural Products Expo West NEXTY Award finalist for Best Sweet Snack or Dessert. Read the brand’s story in Bella Hughes’ own words here.
Bella Hughes & Semira Nikou
Nopalera reimagines clean beauty from the ground up
After 14 years in music—her Mexican folk music band, Pistolera, was once featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert—and working in sales for several years with CPG brands, Sandra Lilia Velasquez saw an opportunity to create a modern Mexican beauty brand. Inspired by her heritage and the desire to activate a new generation to explore beauty through a different lens, she set out to create a brand “that embodies boldness, scent transportation, and fresh takes on common beauty rituals,” she says. In 2019, she founded Nopalera. Today, the luxury skincare brand is sold in department stores including Nordstrom, Credo Beauty, Free People and elsewhere. Read the brand’s story in Sandra Lilia Velasquez’s own words here.
Sandra Lilia Velasquez
Mesa de Vida gets saucy with nutrition, quality and global flavors
A former performance and recovery chef to professional athletes, Chef Kirsten Sandoval turned her health around when, as a young mother, she set out to end the cycle of heart disease in her family. Sandoval is also a living kidney donor and mom to two kids with a rare genetic condition. To help care for her family, she originally developed the idea for Mesa de Vida cooking sauces by focusing on nutrition, quality ingredients, convenience and globally inspired flavors. The company, launched in late 2019, will exhibit for the first time at Newtopia Now. Read the brand’s story in Kirsten Sandoval’s own words here.
Kirsten Sandoval
Levelle Nutrition 'fuels women to run the world'
Sports nutrition isn’t one-size-fits-all, according to Levelle Nutrition co-founder and CEO Linda Alvarez, M.D. There are also sex-specific considerations to take into account, she asserts. A physician, Linda learned that almost half of U.S. marathoners are women, but only 30% of sports nutrition and sports medicine study participants are women, and less than 3% of all sports nutrition products are made for women. Seeing an opportunity, in 2021 Linda and her business partner, Stephanie Schrauth, launched Levelle Nutrition to provide female athletes with products formulated specifically with their physiology in mind. “We fuel women to run the world,” they say. Read the brand’s story in Linda Alvarez’s own words here.
Linda Alvarez, M.D.
Function, mission and design meet in MUD/WTR
MUD/WTR founder Shane Heath, an artist and entrepreneur, was working in the tech industry and finding that to cope with the “startup hustle culture,” he was developing a dependency on coffee and caffeine that he felt was contributing to burnout and affecting his physical and mental health. He started mixing organic cacao, masala chai, adaptogenic mushrooms and spices and found it gave him the energy he needed without the downsides of coffee. When colleagues asked what he was drinking, he told them “mud.” Realizing he could help support the creation of healthier habits for others, Heath launched MUD/WTR in 2018. COO Emma Nelson joined the Santa Monica, California-based business in 2019. Read the brand’s story in Emma Nelson’s own words here.
Emma Nelson