by Abigail Harris – Executive Director, Provender Alliance You know the stories about innocent high school sweethearts who lost touch after graduation, go on to live their lives, re-meet years later, fall in love for real, and create a meaningful future together? Well, that’s me and you (the Provender Alliance Community and larger natural products trade). A long time ago, I served on CCOF’s marketing committee to contribute to a movement in which I believe. I was fresh out [Read More]
by Rachel Mitrani, Board Treasurer Greetings to the Provender Community! It is with great honor and sadness that I am writing my final journal entry as a board member for the Provender Alliance. I have served this community for 6 years on the board and a few years prior as a volunteer. It has been an experience I will treasure for so many reasons. First and foremost, the long-lasting relationships and friendships I have gained are priceless. I have also [Read More]
Provender holds elections for our Board of Directors yearly and it’s that time of year. A designated person from each member organization should have received an electronic ballot last week. The Nominating Committee has diligently and carefully screened these candidates. This is the candidates’ opportunity to speak to you about their interest in serving on the board. These statements will also appear on the ballot. Jenica Caudill – Fair World Project Please share a little bit about yourself [Read More]
edited reprint from a letter by Kate Mendenhall, Organic Farmers Association Note: Provender Alliance signed on as an organization to endorse the OFA letter sent to the U.S. Secretary of Department of Agriculture (listed farther below). On July 17th at the House Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research hearing, Under Secretary Greg Ibach said that he was interested in considering new technologies like gene-editing in organics. The Organic Farmers Association is disturbed by this comment. While genetic [Read More]
Provender Alliance’s 43rd Annual Educational Conference includes an all-day intensive focusing on Conscious Leadership, and three keynotes on Food, Farm, and Climate Justice, Moving From Fear to Discovery: Harnessing the Power of an OPEN Mind, and a presentation by West Coast writer of Hippie Food fame. Register for the conference here. You don’t want to miss out on this juicy annual event! Hands down, there’s no other conference like it in the natural products trade. Choose from a full line-up [Read More]
by Joe Wade One of the most gratifying parts of being on the Board is having a reason to stay in touch with our community. Reaching out to long-time member organizations, former Board members and volunteers, and to newcomers to our community is deeply enriching. When I do this, it reminds me of why I choose this lifestyle and career. I’m reminded that there are many others who are intentional members of this community. Some of our members have been [Read More]
Presented by Keynote Speaker Jonathan Kauffman WHEN: Thursday, October 3rd, 8:30 pm LOCATION: Provender Educational Conference 2019 in Hood River, OR This dynamic talk is presented by Jonathan Kauffman, a Portland-based writer who covers the intersection of food and culture, from the spread of regional Chinese cuisines in the Bay Area to the race to develop cultured meats. A former line cook turned journalist, he was a restaurant critic in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle for more than [Read More]
by Abigail Harris, incoming Executive Director, Provender Alliance We’re standing at the side of the hot, dusty road, and I feel like I’ve been sucker-punched. Staring out across the acres of farmland, the earth is covered with deep cracks and wide fissures between rows of agricultural crops. I’m driving this stretch of highway with my best friend. The two of us are traveling through California’s central valley to Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada mountains on a backpacking trip. It’s the [Read More]
by Mark DiMaggio, Provender Alliance board member Hello Provender Members! What an awesome first six months on the Board it has been. From hiring a new Executive Director, hosting our first ever 3-city Simulcast Workshop, and an in-person retreat on the Oregon coast, we are laying the groundwork for another insightful and collaborative conference. A special thanks to Kjell van Zoen for his presentation on Holistic Financials as well as Stacy Kraker with Hummingbird Wholesale, Joe Hamilton at Pilgrim’s Market [Read More]
by Jenica Caudill Sometimes it can be hard to articulate what’s special about the Provender Alliance. For many of us, it’s best captured by the way we feel immediately after the conference. But then we leave. We return to our registers, computer desks, packaging lines, and distribution vehicles; the glow wears off and reality sets back in. Sometimes, that reality can feel pretty heavy. And for those of us in the natural foods and products movement, there is no doubt [Read More]
Positively Natural Members Save on Provender Conference Registration Are you a member of Positively Natural? Would you like to come experience the 42nd Annual Provender Alliance Educational Conference? Provender is offering current members of Positively Natural the same rates as Provender members on conference registration, a savings of up to $225. To find out more about the conference, see the full schedule of events HERE. Please contact Vicki for a special registration code if you [Read More]
We are excited to announce our new partnership with Sustainable Food Trade Association (SFTA). Through this partnership, Provender members can receive a 15% discount on their first year of membership in SFTA and 5% off for the following 3 years. This offer is only good for new memberships. In addition to discounts on SFTA membership, Provender members can access SFTA webinars for free. The discount code is available in the Members Only section of the website. Links to the code [Read More]
Please Share! It’s time to get your nominations in for this year’s Provender Awards. Remember, awardees can be anyone you know that fits the bill for this year’s categories, regardless of Provender membership status. Once selected, awardees will be contacted in advance and invited to the awards dinner at the conference, should they wish to come accept their award in person. So, who have you seen or heard making a positive impact in your community? Nominate them here. This year’s categories [Read More]
by Vicki Reich I hope you have October 3rd, 4th, and 5th blocked out on your calendar. Those are the dates for this year’s Provender Alliance Educational Conference in beautiful Hood River, Oregon. There are many new and exciting things coming to this year’s conference, you will not want to miss it! The theme this year is Minding Our Mission, Finding Our Future. We are taking that theme to heart in our planning. We will be minding our mission of [Read More]
by Joe Wade This past month the Board held our annual retreat, this year in Lincoln City OR. During two-plus days of meetings we assessed our current State of Provender and began planning for the immediate and long-term future. This retreat was heavily seasoned with this year’s Conference theme; Minding our Mission, Finding our Future. I am an ancient Provender member, but new Board member. It is clear to me that this is a pivotal moment for us. We are [Read More]