by Anna Canning – Campaigns Manager, Fair World Project Dignified work, fair pay, safe workplaces: those are some of the things we value. No matter where in the world you live, we hold that people should be able to earn a living without needlessly risking their lives or their health. Those are just some of the basics. But unfortunately, those basics are under attack. Here in the U.S., it’s been a while since our labor laws, the basic frameworks that [Read More]
Provender lost a dear friend and long-time member last week. Melissa Minton, who we all knew as Mel, died on June 29th from metastasized breast cancer. Mel was a quiet powerhouse in the natural foods world. She was the General Manager of Community Market, a worker-run, not-for-profit natural food store, for over 25 years. With her servant leadership style and financial know-how, the Market grew to two stores that serve and support the community in Sonoma County, CA. Mel got [Read More]
Columinate is pleased to offer an upcoming workshop series around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion hosted by one of our consultants, LaDonna Sanders Redmond, “Implementing DEI Principles for Organizational Impact.” Workshop schedule is as follows: May 19th: Diversity Equity and Inclusion 101 May 27th: Addressing Unconscious Bias June 2nd: Microaggressions in the Workplace June 14th: Bystander Intervention July 13th: Communicating across Conflict & Differences Full information about the series can be found here: https://columinate.coop/events/makingchange/ We are excited about this series and [Read More]
Dr. Bronner’s Magic All-One Chocolate will be Available Nationwide in Summer 2021 in Six Delicious Organic, Fair Trade, and Vegan Varieties VISTA, CA – In an unprecedented move, Dr. Bronner’s, the family-owned maker of the top-selling natural brand of soap in North America, will introduce a new line of organic, fair trade, and vegan chocolate in Summer of 2021. This pioneering natural product brand of over seventy-years is producing luscious bars with chunky bites and smooth rich and decadent fillings, [Read More]
By Ryan Zinn, Fair World Project Fair trade was founded on the principle of solidarity: uniting farmers, workers, and activist consumers in a joint effort to fight for basic human and economic rights. And as corporations have gotten bigger and more consolidated, it’s clear that the rest of us need to build power to match them. The United States is ranked dead last for workers’ rights of all industrialized nations. The plight of working people in the United States has [Read More]
In the following transcript, Christian and Kathryn Birky of re:human probe our apparel supply chains with Bená Burda, owner of Maggie’s Organics, and emerge with two viable reasons for optimism. The first is a resurgence of the values that shaped the initial organic movement. The second is a model for an alternative ownership structure that places domestic production on firmer footing. Bená covers a lot of ground in this conversation, discussing recent turbulence in the global cotton supply [Read More]
The following letter was sent to Equal Exchange’s extensive community, including the Provender Alliance: by Rink Dickinson (President) and Leif Rawson-Ahern (Vice President), Equal Exchange Unlike All of Our Competitors Equal Exchange is a non-capitalist organization. Like other businesses we buy, sell, produce, distribute, and market products. We strive to make a surplus based on the difference between our costs and selling price but we are not here to maximize or accumulate profit. Two key elements of our success [Read More]
Positively Natural™ has announced that they will be having their Annual Tradeshow and Conference on October 21 and 22, 2021, at the M Resort, in lovely Las Vegas, NV.The association is looking to the future as it works to continue its dedication to the independent retailers in The Natural Products Industry. In 2020, the association expanded [Read More]
VISTA, CA – Dr. Bronner’s, the family-owned maker of the top-selling natural brand of soaps and body care products in North America, is proud to announce the release of the first-ever book about Dr. Bronner’s, Honor Thy Label: Dr. Bronner’s Unconventional Journey to a Clean, Green and Ethical Supply Chain. Written by Dr. Bronner’s Vice President of Special Operations, Dr. Gero Leson, the book published March 9, 2021. Dr. Bronner’s CEO, David Bronner wrote the foreword, and the company has created a [Read More]
Eugene, Oregon Coconut Bliss®, a leading brand of plant-based frozen desserts, is unveiling a fresh and vibrant new look for its entire portfolio of plant-based ice cream products this March. By taking a personable approach to the redesign, Coconut Bliss strives to connect with consumers on a deeper level through an increased emphasis on inclusivity, sustainability, and positivity. The brand is committed to changing how consumers have historically perceived plant-based offerings, by making plant-based products that taste great for consumers [Read More]
Portland, OR With the remarkable efforts of its talented team, Vital Leaf, a CBD functional foods and wellness company, has launched its first equity crowdfunding campaign with MicroVentures. Over 128 investors have contributed $58,000+ so far and more are partnering with Vital Leaf every day. Visit the full investment pitch now at Microventures.com and redeem enticing perks at the various investment tiers before this round closes. By investing in Vital Leaf, you’ll be supporting the next phase of the company’s [Read More]
by Stacy Kraker, Oregon Organic Coalition Organic agriculture is a solution to many threats facing Oregon–climate change, declining rural communities, and troubling health inequities. Growing organic acreage in Oregon is a way to build carbon-sequestering healthy soils, improve rural economic development, reinvest more dollars in local economies, and create better regional food system resilience. We have long recognized the many wins of organic agriculture and have organized an organic workgroup established by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee during [Read More]
Fair World Project Launches New Podcast, For a Better World, with Season 1 Covering the Complicated Issues Behind the Ingredients in Nestlé’s Kit Kat Bar PORTLAND, OR – Fair trade advocacy group Fair World Project (FWP) has launched For a Better World, a new podcast featuring deep investigational analysis of the environmental and social costs of commonly used consumer items and their corresponding supply chains. Each season will focus on a particular product and the supply chains issues surrounding [Read More]
Eugene, Oregon (January 26th, 2021) Hummingbird Wholesale in-house made Organic Awakened® Pecans were chosen as a 2021 Good Food Award Winner. “Our hard work and keen attention to detail make these so special. We are so thrilled to be recognized and appreciated for our hand-crafted Awakened® Pecans,” responded Charlie Tilt, who is the owner of Hummingbird Wholesale, along with his wife, Julie Tilt. “These pecans highlight the opportunity to enjoy a healthy snack while supporting family farms. We want to [Read More]
by Lisa Spicka – Founder & Principal, Maracuja Solutions Never at a loss for something to say, I found myself Googling “steward” to gain some inspiration for this article on “stewardship in the natural and organic products industry.” All the usual definitions appeared (e.g. a person who manages or looks after something like passengers, land, a home [noun], or the act of doing so [verb]). However, to my delight I also stumbled across Google Books’ Ngram Viewer. The Ngram [Read More]