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."
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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
Conscious CPG Voices, Part I
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.
Funky Mello turns aquafaba into plant-based indulgence
Delisa Harper and her husband, Zach, are co-founders of Funky Mello. The Austin, Texas-based company is seeking to carve out a niche in the refrigerated desserts category with its line of plant-based marshmallow cremes formulated from aquafaba, the starchy brine derived from cooked chickpeas. Funky Mello’s product offerings are vegan, gluten free, soy free and free of eight top food allergens. Mission-based, the company also supports organizations tackling youth food insecurity. Here is the brand's story in Delisa Harper's own words.
Delisa Harper
Rasa showcases high-performance adaptogen brews at Newtopia Now
Boulder, Colorado-based Rasa was founded in 2018 by Lopa van de Mersch and Ben Levine Nahar. Combining an interest in Ayurveda with herbs, adaptogens, mushrooms and other functional ingredients, Rasa and Ben created a “dark, rich, roasty” coffee alternative. In 2021, Rasa announced it had become a Public Benefit Corporation, and in 2022, the company raised $4.1 million in a crowdfunding campaign. Today, led by CEO Lenny Chase—who as a marketing executive helped build Halo Top into a national brand—Rasa is expanding to offer a full line of high-performance daily brews designed to provide energy from adaptogenic ingredients, plus functional coffee, cacao, matcha and other beverage products. Here is the brand's story in Lenny Chase's own words.
Lenny Chase
HeyBamboo brings sustainability and inspiration to Newtopia Now
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Joslyn Faust worked in tech marketing for 20 years, yet she always harbored the entrepreneurial spirit to launch a company. When the toilet paper shortage hit during the Covid pandemic, Faust began looking into the impact of toilet paper manufacturing, along with the bleach and chemicals often used in the process. Seeing an opportunity from what she found out, in 2023, Joslyn launched HeyBamboo to provide sustainable, unbleached toilet paper made from 100% bamboo. With the motto, “Sustainable to the Core,” no plastic is ever used in the packaging. Here is the brand’s story in Joslyn Faust’s own words.
Joslyn Faust
Oodaalolly’s chocolate fills store aisles—and Newtopia Now—with 'unfiltered joy'
Oodaalolly founder Hernan Lauber grew up in the Philippines, Switzerland and the U.S. When Hernan’s Swiss father opened a chocolate company in rural Pennsylvania in the early 1980s, Hernan spent his formative years working in his dad’s chocolate factory, “doing every horrible job no one wanted to do.” After studying engineering, working in manufacturing and life sciences, and living overseas for 10 years, Hernan and his family settled in the San Francisco Bay Area, where, inspired by his father’s business and his Filipino roots, Hernan founded Oodaalolly. From the packaging to the product, Oodaalolly chocolate reflects deep cultural roots and traditional Swiss chocolate making techniques, all made in the U.S. Read the brand’s story in Hernan Lauber’s own words.
Hernan Lauber
Innovation, experience help Nature's Sunshine understand consumers’ health needs
Established in 1972, Nature’s Sunshine takes pride in its claim as the first company ever to encapsulate herbs. Today, the dietary supplements leader offers more than 500 products and employs a global direct sales force of over 670,000 independent managers, distributors and customers in at least 40 countries. The company operates its own R&D and quality control group and manufactures its products in a 200,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art, 100% solar-powered facility in Spanish Fork, Utah. The company also supports health and wellness for children around the world through its partnership with the Sunshine Heroes Foundation. Learn more from Nature’s Sunshine President Kevin Herbert.
Kevin Herbert
What Natural and Organic Buyers Want at Newtopia Now
Retailers look to New Hope Network's new natural products program and trade show to guide conscious CPG innovation and growth. Find out more.
This article originally appeared on the New Hope Network website on June 26, 2024
By Steven Hoffman
As the natural, organic, regenerative and “conscious CPG” industry prepares to gather in Denver, Colorado, on August 25-28 for the inaugural Newtopia Now, a number of retailers attending and participating in the event shared their thoughts on what drives their purchasing and foraging decisions today.
They also shared perspectives on how they best like to work with partner brands to achieve their goals and serve their customers—and how Newtopia Now can provide value in helping match them with companies and brands in a more intimate, innovative and curated trade show and conference setting.
Numerous retail buyers, foragers and business owners across the country participated in this story, ranging from large chains such as Whole Foods Market and Sprouts Farmers Market; smaller chains such as Earth Fare and Bristol Farms; online retailer Thrive Market; and independent grocers St. Vrain Market and Mustard Seed Market & Café.
Here’s what these retailers shared about today’s marketplace, what drives their purchasing decisions and how they are turning to the upcoming Newtopia Now as a key new resource to help them in their work.
Casey Gaston, Executive Leader, Local and Emerging Brands, Center Store, Whole Foods Market
Founded in 1980 and based in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market operates more than 530 stores in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Casey Gaston is a featured presenter at Newtopia Now as part of a panel discussion, How to Get Your Product into Whole Foods Market, at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, August 27.
Casey Gaston
Things are always changing in business and we have to remain nimble. Today, Whole Foods Market is connecting with suppliers in a lot more ways than ever before. Getting the attention of our merchants and foragers hasn’t changed as much, however. Start by doing your homework: utilize the Whole Foods Market Supplier Portal and review our quality and product standards. New and emerging brands can connect through our keystone incubation program, LEAP (Local and Emerging Accelerator Program). The LEAP Early Growth cohort, which works with early growth brands, is now in its third year and applications have tripled. While a limited number of brands are selected for a given cohort, others still get on to our radar as a result of the application process. Our Local Producer Loan Program also remains a strong pillar for Whole Foods Market.
As a forager team, we’re excited that the format of Newtopia Now is different. While large brands can get much of the visibility at a show like Expo West, Newtopia Now allows emerging brands to be the stars. We can’t wait to experience a show dedicated to new and emerging brands. We are looking for innovation and trends, and are excited to see brands that have something to show us. We like the concept of matchmaking, and we’ll be hosting some of our own meetings at the event. We’re going to lean in on all the tools and programs New Hope is providing at Newtopia Now.
Darren Viscount, Senior Natural Living Category Manager, Bristol Farms
Founded in 1982, Bristol Farms operates 13 stores in Southern California. With 27 years’ experience in retail, Darren Viscount is a featured presenter as part of a panel discussion, Leading Natural Living Buyers Tell All: Thrive, PCC and Bristol Farms, at 1:30 p.m. Monday, August 26.
Darren Viscount
Shopping for natural foods is less of a destination now than when I first started in the industry. Today, natural products can also be found online, in mass market, in conventional— there is a lot more opportunity for people to purchase these products. In addition, when there is disruption in the economy like we’ve seen over the past few years, people want value.
That said, while ingredients and quality are certainly a factor, our customers are looking for value. So, when I work with brands, I make sure we have promotions, including long-term promotional agreements and/or quarterly promotions. We also put an emphasis on staff training, whether it’s in-store, online or team training sessions. We want to help our customers so that when they get home, they know they’ve made the right decision on product selection.
Today, social media drives a lot of our purchasing decisions. We monitor TikTok and Instagram to see what’s trending. Right now, for example, trends in supplements include magnesium, creatine, high protein products, electrolytes, gut biome and health, probiotics and more. There are a lot of influencers on social media that drive people to our stores, too.
Our goal at Newtopia Now is to foster closer relationships with brands we meet at the event. I like to attend events such as Newtopia Now because I get to talk directly with founders, CEOs, product developers and other brand leaders and speak with them about how they will support our stores, our teams and our customers. It is valuable to me in building community on a business and personal level. With Newtopia Now structured as a more intimate event, we hope to get more one-on-one time with the vendors and find brands to cultivate and nourish from the ground up.
Phillip Nabors, Co-Founder, Mustard Seed Market & Café
With two full service stores and a restaurant serving the Akron, Ohio, market, Mustard Seed Market & Café, established in 1981, is one of Ohio’s largest independently owned retailers of natural and organic products. Cofounded by Margaret and Phillip Nabors, their sons Gabe and Abraham now lead operations for the stores. Phillip served as president of the Retailer Division of the NPA (formerly NNFA) in 1993 and served for 10 years on the Natural Foods Committee of FMI—the Food Marketing Institute.
Phillip Nabors
From the early days, we were unique from the more “pill-driven” health food stores of the time. We made a conscious effort to bring in locally sourced food, whatever we could get from producers and distributors. By having as much food as possible, we enjoyed a large trade area—a 50-mile-plus radius.
Now, the trade area is much smaller and we have to compete with everyone. We have to really sharpen our pencil on price to be competitive. The early days were about education; the customers went on a learning journey with us. Now that you can find natural foods just about everywhere, it’s “What’s the price?”
However, there remains the mission, along with the opportunity to educate, and we’ve always been the trustworthy source of information. We’re actually sincere about the mission of propagating wellness. Some people get that and are willing to drive or pay a bit more to support us. For Newtopia Now, I’m the test pilot for our company. I’m intrigued about the Matchmaking program and have signed up for it.
If I look back at all the best times I’ve had at shows, it’s the deeper conversations. Not just about the attributes of the product, but also alignment on values. I’ve always learned a lot from interacting with suppliers and brands, and I enjoy meeting new people and running into peers and colleagues I’ve known for decades. Plus, I learn a lot from other retailers. I’m looking forward to interacting with all these constituents on a deeper level at Newtopia Now.
I’d like to add that I appreciate all that New Hope Network has done over the decades and what a critical role it has played in growing the natural products industry. Their trade shows in large part enabled the industry’s growth. They have delivered an amazing product over the years. The fact that the company is trying something new makes me want to support them all the more.
Scott Romano, Vice President, Forager, Sprouts Farmers Market
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Sprouts Farmers Market operates more than 400 stores in 23 states. Scott Romano is a featured presenter as part of the panel discussion, How to Get Noticed by the Sprouts Forager Team, at 12:30 p.m. Monday, August 26.
Scott Romano
Sprouts Farmers Market operates more than 400 stores in 23 states, and is looking to grow the store base at 10% per year going forward. Innovation is our key, and differentiation is what Sprouts is seeking.
When you think of today’s retail landscape, anyone can carry these products. So, for us in making buying decisions, differentiation and innovation lead the first round, and then we look for taste, number one. We scorecard every brand we bring in—we look at attributes such as diversity/minority owned, sustainability, is the product on trend, for example, regenerative agriculture, mushroom adaptogens, probiotics, etc. Then, based on a point system, we will place products in one of three buckets: yes, we want to pursue further; hold and let’s keep it in the pipeline; or decline and thank you, we’ll pass.
While we are being a little more selective, we do have a foraging program for new brands that can help take some of the costs out of the system. The foraging program is a 90-day test period where select brands can receive sales data and general engagement insight. We’re also able to learn from that to prepare the brand for next steps, be it regional or national, and also continue to evolve the program to have a higher success rate with brands we launch. Currently, we are finding success with brands that have built some kind of online B2C presence before expanding into brick and mortar.
Sprouts is looking forward to going to Newtopia Now. There will be a team of folks foraging on the floor, and I will be participating in a Buyer Side Chat to help vendors learn how to get in front of the buyers at Sprouts. The first year is more exploratory for us, however, we’re excited to see the different neighborhoods Newtopia Now has planned, and experience a show in a different way. As a more intimate and focused event, it is a welcome bookend to Natural Products Expo West.
Mitch Orland, Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing, Earth Fare
Earth Fare, founded in 1975 and based in Asheville, North Carolina, is a leading chain of natural and organic food supermarkets with 18 locations in seven states throughout the southeastern U.S. A new ownership group, comprising some of Earth Fare’s original founders, purchased Earth Fare out of bankruptcy in 2020 and has been re-establishing the company as a natural foods retail leader across the Southeast.
Mitch Orland
We opened four years ago during the COVID pandemic when new owners bought Earth Fare out bankruptcy. The group comprises some of the original founders. Since then, we learned we have to reinvent ourselves. We have to be first to market, customer service is key, our people are important, and value perception is super important. Our industry is known for prices higher than conventional, but Earth Fare has combatted this price perception by offering discounts, promotions, every day deals and a Healthy Rewards in-store loyalty program.
Also, we like to stay on top of the trends and are getting out in front on regenerative food and farming. We are closely aligned with the Plant Based Foods Association, the regenerative Land to Market program, Regenified and others. We continue to cultivate these relationships and often they’ll tell us about brands that we can explore.
In addition, one of the top trends we’re working on is ‘craft vegan.’ It’s a trend that was reported on in 2023 by New Hope Network, and in fact, I coined the term to describe the next generation of artisan-made vegan foods, including plant-based aged cheeses, dairy-free butters, deli meats made from mycelium-based Koji, and more. We are getting a handle on food waste, and our program Save & Stop Waste has diverted over half a million pounds of food from landfills over four years.
Personally, I like to forage at local farmers markets within driving distance of our stores. It’s a great way to find local producers and supports the communities. We can bring product to market faster than anyone else—from farmers market to shelf in as little as three weeks. I’m also a chef, so what lights me up about my job is supporting small emerging brands and see what they’re going to do next.
Earth Fare is bringing a full team to Newtopia Now, and we are planning to do something fun—however, it’s a secret for now! For us, it’s about connection, learning, team building and what’s on the horizon. I’m glad New Hope is doing more to directly link the buyers and brands with this first-time event.
Neil Sullivan, Co-Owner, St. Vrain Market
Located in Lyons, Colorado, the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, in a historic building that once served as a creamery in the 1800s, family owned and operated St. Vrain Market is well known in the area for its selection of natural, organic and specialty products, premium meats and fresh baked goods. Co-owner Neil Sullivan’s experience includes working at the former upscale Sutton Place Gourmet in Washington, DC.
Neil Sullivan
My wife and I have owned St. Vrain Market for 16 years. It had been a grocery store for many years and has a 100-plus year history. The store was run down when we bought it, so we traveled around to visit independently owned, single-store retailers in northern California. We modeled a lot of what we do today on some of the things we saw coming out of these stores, including local sourcing. We also modeled the store as a European style market—you can shop here for the day’s or a few days’ needs.
We created a tagline when we launched St. Vrain Market: ‘Local and Fresh.’ We asked ourselves, how do you meet the needs of a local community by also supporting that local community? We source many products from fresh and local producers. We give the town something they can be proud of and the community has responded.
People know us best for our bakery—it comprises 20% of our revenue and we employ five full-time bakers—plus an all-natural deli and a very nice meat case. The produce we offer is almost all organic; we have a great dairy selection and we feature local and national brands.
We are far from a commodity player. When we look for supplier partners, we have a specific set of criteria. We’re looking for brands that share both beliefs and practices and can be a great partner for us. Clean ingredients, sustainable-focused packaging, conscious, mission-based businesses—we and other independent retailers are prioritizing these attributes over commodity pricing.
But, we also need entities such as New Hope Network to help us find those partners and sift through all that is out there in the broader industry. For us, Newtopia Now is helping to find the best ways to bring meaningful partnerships together and identify the brands that best align with our criteria. It will help cut through a lot of time and noise and not spin our wheels.
One of the trends we’re moving with is sustainable packaging in our foodservice and food preparation. We use compostable supplies almost exclusively. That’s the criteria I’m including in my Newtopia Now ‘dating profile.’ With Newtopia Now in the matchmaking business, it’s going to help me find suppliers that meet my dating profile.
Also, the event offers me an opportunity to get away from my business long enough as an owner-operator to get information outside of my store walls that I may not get otherwise. I’m also excited to engage at Newtopia Now with suppliers and partners that support minority owned businesses. Our mission statement at St. Vrain Market has nothing about food in it—it’s simply to build community. Our mission is to do well by doing good.
Kirstin Ratcliffe, Senior Category Manager, Beauty and Personal Care, Thrive Market
Thrive Market, based in Los Angeles, California, and founded in 2014, is the leading member-based online retailer offering natural, organic and regenerative products to healthy lifestyle consumers. Kirstin Ratcliffe is a featured presenter at Newtopia Now as part of a panel discussion, Leading Natural Living Buyers Tell All: Thrive, PCC and Bristol Farms, at 1:30 p.m. Monday, August 26.
Kirstin Ratcliffe
Our mission at Thrive Market is to make healthy and sustainable living easy and affordable and for everyone. We work with the biggest companies in the natural space to up and coming independent brands. Providing our members value is true to the core of our mission—we want to give people access everywhere. So, when we are looking for brand partners, value and price are a part of it; it’s one of the first conversations we have.
Being a fully online business, a huge focus for us is to meet our members where they are and to provide convenience. Convenience is a big factor, and we keep that in mind when we are curating. We have a tight pulse on what our members are looking for, and always strive to bring the products they know and love directly to them via Thrive Market. We take the guesswork out of finding healthy products for their entire home, and aim to be that healthy and sustainable destination where they can buy their groceries, as well as their shampoo, body wash, vitamins, toothpaste, cleaning products, etc.
Another key area we hone in on is our standards. We restrict 1,000+ ingredients, including phthalates, parabens, petroleum-derived ingredients and others, which you can learn more about on our website. Certified organic is a first choice when we can; non-GMO is nonnegotiable. We are always seeking more sustainable alternatives, including packaging. With beauty and personal care products, we closely follow standards put forward by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), and we require testing (i.e. for heavy metals) for certain ingredients of concern. We will require certain testing, if needed. We also carry cruelty free brands and prioritize Fair Trade Certified, as well as those brands that support regenerative sourcing and farming.
We’ve always had a strong relationship with New Hope Network. We view its shows as a great way to connect with existing partners, discover new brands, create relationships with private label and third-party partners, and learn about what’s new and trending. We’re excited about the new experience that Newtopia Now offers, coming on the back of participant surveys to understand what they wanted from a show. The marketplaces, or neighborhoods, they’ve teased out is interesting and will provide an opportunity to see how products stand out against each other on the shelf. It’s also particularly important for us that a brand can stand out in an online environment. That’s what we’ll be looking for, as well as partners whose mission(s) aligns with our own.
Newtopia Now, New Hope Network's new trade show, is set for Aug. 25-28 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado. For more information and to register, click here.