At the Epicenter: Arran & Ratana Stephens of Nature’s Path Foods

For Immediate Release:

At the Epicenter Presents Arran & Ratana Stephens of Nature’s Path Foods

Arran and Ratana Stephens, passionate entrepreneurs, organic food pioneers, and founders of Nature's Path Foods, North America’s largest organic, independent, non-GMO breakfast foods company, will be featured at “An Evening at the Epicenter” in Boulder on Thursday, October 18, 2012.

An Evening at the Epicenter is produced by Best Organics Inc. and Compass Natural LLC and hosted by the Sterling Rice Group.

Boulder, CO (October 8, 2012) – Nature’s Path Foods founders and Co-CEOs Arran and Ratana Stephens took an uncompromising path to create a triple-bottom line, family owned business spanning three generations – one of social responsibility, sustainability and financial viability. The company began with small roots and is now North America’s largest organic, independent, non-GMO breakfast foods company, employing hundreds of people at state-of-the-art facilities in Washington and Wisconsin. The company’s headquarters are based near Vancouver and additionally owns and operates a 3,000 acre cooperative farm.

The Stephens’ will share insights, perspectives and lessons on how to build and preserve an enduring family business. Both are natural entrepreneurs who balanced taking riskswhile conserving resources and will share their wisdom with established and aspiring entrepreneurs.

In addition to providing high quality certified organic breakfast foods, the company is committed to the larger cause of sustainable agriculture, and is a charter supporter of Proposition 37, the California Right to Know ballot initiative to label genetically engineered foods. The company sources organic grains including kamut, corn, oats, whole grain wheat and brown rice from North American farmers and imports fair trade ingredients such as cocoa, sugar cane, molasses, and spices.

“We are pleased and honored to host such organic food pioneers as Arran and Ratana Stephens to interact with the Boulder natural, organic and sustainable products community. Having spent 40 years building their company and serving as founding leaders in the organic market, their message will be of great value to not only seasoned leaders but emerging entrepreneurs as well. Their message is important because it is an ideal model of how to support a family legacy in your business,” comments Steven Hoffman, Managing Director of Compass Natural Marketing and Co-Producer of At the Epicenter, the speaker series bringing thoughtful leaders in sustainability to the Boulder community.

Nature’s Path Foods’ triple bottom line mission inspires corporate support of initiatives including Bite4Bite, a one-for-one donation to a local food bank; Gardens for Good, granting money to local non-profits to create community garden projects; 1% for the Planet Members, to which 1% of EnviroKidz product sales are donated; and the California Right to Know campaign for mandatory GMO labeling.

Ratana, often described as the ‘heart’ of the company, is an award-winning entrepreneur and received the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award and Bright Lights Award from the Pacific Immigrant Resource Society. She has a M.A. in English Literature and a B.A. in Psychology and began her career in India as a college lecturer.

Arran grew up on his family's organic farm in Vancouver - the inspiration behind Nature's Path - and is author of The Compassionate Diet, founding member of the Non-GMO Project, and board member of the Rodale Institute. He is passionately involved in the Prop. 37 consumer right to know initiative to label genetically engineered foods.

Together, Arran and Ratana have four children, two of whom are directly involved in leadership operations of the business.

The evening will include a welcoming reception beginning at 5:30pm followed by an engaging conversation by Arran and Ratana Stephens, and will be hosted in the downtown Boulder offices of the Sterling Rice Group. For press passes or more information, please contact Shoshana Romer, shoshana@compassnaturalmarketing.com. Tickets are available atwww.naturespathfoodsattheepicenter.eventbrite.com.

About An Evening at the Epicenter An Evening at the Epicenter is a series of interactive talks for entrepreneurs and business and community leaders in the $300-billion market for natural, organic, sustainable and socially responsible products and services. An Evening at the Epicenter is produced by Best Organics Inc., a leading organic gift and brand promotions company; and Compass Natural LLC, a leader in LOHAS communications, public relations, strategic marketing and business development.

Launched in 2010, An Evening at the Epicenter has featured Horst Rechelbacher, Founder of Aveda and Intelligent Nutrients; Bill McKibben, Founder of 350.org; John Elstrott, Chair of Whole Foods Market; local economies expert and author Michael Shuman; Fox Health News correspondent Chris Kilham, and others. An Evening at the Epicenter is well attended by business, community, academic and student leader from the Boulder/Denver region.

At the Epicenter Sponsors Sponsors include Whole Foods Market, Sterling Rice Group, New Hope Natural Media, Mychelle Dermaceuticals, Earth Balance, Glutino Foods, Udi’s Gluten Free, Transition Colorado, Pax World Investments, Bay State Milling, St. Claire's Organics, Organic Vintners, Eco-Products Inc., Boulder Valley Media Alliance, Boulder Ice Cream.

About Best Organics Inc. Best Organics Inc., a majority woman-owned company, is a leading provider of premium, hand-packed, organic and eco-friendly gift basket collections featuring gourmet products from local, regional and U.S.-based producers and leading brands. Its gift collections are presented in beautifully illustrated, reusable gift boxes, and are available online atwww.AmericasBestOrganics.com, and for corporate gifting. Best Organics Inc. is a member of the Organic Trade Association, Colorado Proud, and Naturally Boulder, and is a Green America-approved business. Contact gifts@bestorganics.com or call 303.499.ORGANIC (6742).

About Compass Natural Marketing Compass Natural Marketing, established by organic and LOHAS industry veteran Steven Hoffman and based in Boulder, CO, brings more than 25 years of experience in natural and organic products sales, marketing, public relations, communications, research, event planning, special project assignments and strategic industry guidance to businesses involved in the $290 billion market for natural, organic, sustainable, and socially responsible products. Visit www.compassnatural.com, contactinfo@compassnaturalmarketing.com or call 303.807.1042.