gmo's, how much do you know?

Working at an organic foods company I am constantly reading reports, and finding the latest and greatest research on organic foods. Being immersed in facts and figures all day It is easy to forget that not everyone lives and breaths this stuff! So I decided to get back down to basics and hone in on some of the most important reasons I am in this business to begin with. I want to focus on GMO’s and why they are such a scary addition to our grocery stores. With so much attention being given to pesticides and synthetic chemicals, I think we could all use a little more education on this virtually undetectable predator.

Genetically modified organisms or GMO’s are a result of a technology developed in the 1970’s. A simple explanation of a GMO is the allowance of one gene species to be forced in the DNA of an unrelated species. It was thought that with this technology mass production of foods would cut costs and end hunger worldwide. Unfortunately, this was not the result. With no regulation, any company who develops and produces a new GMO must simply state that it is safe to the FDA and it is then categorized in the not so convincing area of GRAS which stands for (Generally Recognized As Safe). Once this GRAS label is obtained they require no further regulation and are free to be market and sell to the public. This means your food could contain unsafe amounts of pesticides, chemicals and/or GMO’s and no one is left to even question, let alone stop the process.

The risks of GMO’s alone are substantial, they are also unpredictable, with hard to detect side effects due to the lack of approved research. Allergies, toxins and nutritional deficiencies have already been determined as well as, believe it or not, demasculization. All this and we have no way of knowing which foods are contaminated and which are not.

Take for example the Brazil nut and the soy bean. In a GMO experiment Brazil nut genetics were transferred in to a soybean to improve nutritional value. Instead it provided a deadly allergenic combination. Fortunately the product was removed from the shelves, but if it were not for the irresponsibility’s of the government, scientists, and those greedy enough to market and sell a product they know nothing about we would have never been in that situation to begin with. This was not the first time an experiment has gone wrong, nor do I think it will be the last.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of an epidemic we must get a handle on. GMO'S need not be declared on packaging and therefore are hard to detect, even as an avid package and label reader you may still be purchasing a GMO product and not know it. Organic is truly the only way to protect yourself. I encourage you to do your research, help spread the word and join the Organic Evolution™.

amber - biz development

happy halloween from the earthpure team!

My favorite thing about Halloween is the creativity that it evokes in all of us. I am in the middle of planning my costume for this year, and I can’t wait to decorate a pumpkin! One sad thing about Halloween is the fact that most of our creative Halloween decorations, costumes, and candy wrappers end up in the trash. With the creative nature of Halloween, why not come up with creative ways to make it a more sustainable holiday?

At earthpure organics™ I went around and asked everyone for ideas on how to make Halloween more green. Here is what we came up with:

1. Handout candy that isn’t artificially sweetened and chocolate that is Fair Trade.

2. Take the focus away from candy and get kids involved with making their own costume from recycled materials.

3. Decorate your house with hanging ghosts made from old bed sheets.

4. Make your own Trick or Treat bags instead of buying the plastic pumpkin carriers that everyone uses once and then tosses the next day.

5. Buy decorations that can be used all fall. Instead of using only Halloween themed decorations, use things like pumpkins, leaves, and scarecrows that can be used up to thanksgiving.

6. Buy pumpkins that are grown locally.

7. Compost you pumpkins when you are finished displaying them.

8. Dry out pumpkin seeds and use them in bird feeders.

9. If you have young children that trick or treat earlier in the evening, use the candy they don’t want to hand it out to other trick or treators that come by your house. Less candy is wasted and you save money on buying less candy!

10. If you throw a Halloween part send out on electronic invitation.

Happy Hallogreen!

audrey - sales

cleaning your home organically

I am sure you have heard about the dangers of chemicals and toxins in our foods, products and homes. Almost everywhere we turn there is yet another warning that something we are doing or eating could be potentially deadly. Not to mention all the contradictory information out there, it can be nearly impossible to determine where the truth really lies. We all want to take care of our families and ourselves and one great place to start is in our homes. To many our home is a sanctuary or comfort zone so it is a great place to start.

Natural and organic oils and household ingredients can be used in lou of your standard chemical based cleaner. Next time you pull out your cleaning products, take a min and read over the ingredients list… The most offensive common ingredients, according to a 2006 study by the University of California Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, are ethylene-based glycol, used commonly as a water-soluble solvent in cleaning agents and classified as a hazardous air pollutant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Also, chlorine, often labeled as “sodium hypochlorite” is found in a multitude of products. Not to end there, the Cancer Prevention Coalition, mentions other chemicals found in household cleaners including butyl cellosolve, and crystalline silica, both linked to being an irritant to the eyes and lungs and are likely carcinogens, in addition both likely lead to kidney and liver problems and are reportedly toxic to forming cells.*

I’m my opinion, a cleaning product is there to keep us clean and healthy and unfortunately it appears to be doing the opposite! So what can we do? Why not use what nature provides? Essential oils, baking soda and vinegar are all great products that produce the same or better results than their harmful competition. In my house, I decided to give it a try and began making my own cleaning products. It took a little prep work but was well worth it for a great non-toxic cleaner, here are some of the recipes I followed:

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER
2 cups organic white vinegar
2 cups water
20-30 drops organic essential oil ( your choice, I would use one with an antibacterial property like basil, chamomile, tea tree…)

TOILET BOWL CLEANER

Sprinkle bowl with baking soda, drizzle with vinegar and let soak. Scrub and flush.

FURNITURE POLISH
¼ cup organic olive oil
¼ cup organic vinegar
20-30 drop organic essential oil

While this is only a step in the right direction I truly believe you will be happy with the result. Not only will you house smell wonderful because of the essential oils, it will give you peace of mind that you are doing the right thing in keeping you and your loved ones happy and healthy!

amber - biz development

green kids

The world is going green! Many of us are making daily changes to our lives in order to be friendlier to our environment. Although many of these habits are new to adults, they can become the norm for our children. Now is the time to instill these habits to become life long lessons. Well , here is a list of 8 easy ways to teach your children to be green.

1. Make sure your family recycles. If you keep a recycling bin next to your garbage can it is easy to do. When the recycling bin is in a different area that your regular garbage area is, it is easy to be lazy and throw away recyclable items.

2. Have a family compost in your backyard. Once your child sees how much garbage can be put back into the soil, the more aware they will become of healthy soil and biodiversity.

3. Grow something together. Whether it is a family garden, or a small pot of herbs in the kitchen, it is important for kids to see that food doesn’t just come from the grocery store, it come from soil.

4. Teach them the same lessons we did about conserving energy by reminding them to turn off the faucet and lights when not in use.

5. Go to your local farmer’s market together. Again, this family activity helps kids be aware of where their food comes from. Also it’s a fun thing to do together.

6. Pack your kids lunch with them. When choosing items talk about why they prefer a particular item. Read labels and choose foods that are locally grown and that are organic.

7. Talk about environmental issues at the dinner table. The more kids know the more active they will be in helping the environment. Knowledge is power, and they can pass it on by teaching their friends about them as well.

8. Do activities outside! The more kids love nature, the more they will want to do to protect it!

audrey - sales

re-use the refused!

While reusing is becoming more prevalent, it is important to recognize the resources available to us in the most unique areas. Reusing starts with something as simple as a plastic bag and can extend as far as the eye can see. Literally. There are reusable materials all around us. Plastic, Cardboard, Paper, Metal, Wood, and my favorite- Fabric. Recycling and reusing comes into play in all aspects of life and with a surprisingly easy approach.

If you are having a hard time finding the perfect pair of pants at an affordable price, my advice is simple. Try shopping at local thrift shops and yard sales. There are many Thrift Shops, Antique Malls, and Second-Hand Warehouses around your neighborhood.
Also, yard sales take place nearly every weekend, which are great when looking for inexpensive furniture, clothing, and other accessories. Shopping thrift allows you to find your favorite pair of pants at a “perfectly fitting” price. It takes utilizing these outlets to actually see the difference and feel the impact of creating your own style, while helping our planet.


As I thrift shop I feel good because I’m actively reusing while cutting back on spending. Also, I gain more satisfaction when I find a piece that has character and history. I find that the articles of clothing and accessories I purchase at a yard sale or thrift shop are far more unique and authentic. Learning how to appreciate every small quality of life is simple to do when you’re gaining more by spending less.

Thrifty shopping comes in handy especially when you are decorating a house, an office, or a school. It allows you to be more innovative when decorating. We found that out throughout the building process of earthpure organics™. Our warehouse is built using recycled building materials and recycled furniture.

And don’t stress if it’s not “Brand New”…. If you think about it, it is completely new to your life! Make it yours and Show it off!

Be Unique. Save Money. Utilize Resources.

bronwyn - corporate

mOOve over conventional dairy

Everyone remembers their parents telling them to finish their milk. “You want strong bones don’t you?” they would ask. And we would sit there staring at the full glass wishing that it were apple juice. My mother would even make magic milk for my sister and me when we were younger. She would place a few drops of food coloring into the bottom of our glasses and then pour milk into them. When she stirred the milk it would “magically” turn into blue and pink milk. What a great trick to get us to drink milk as kids! Then when I was a teenager, and Pepsi and Coke were the cool things to drink, the brilliant milk mustache ads came out. Beautiful actresses and muscular athletes would pose with that milky white streak across his or her upper lip.

Drinking milk is cool again, but not because it is purple or because a rock star drinks it, but because it is organic. According to the OTA, organic dairy sales reached $1.3 billion in 2007. Organic milk is just conventional milk minus all of the red flags. In order to be organically certified there is a list of things that must not be present in the milk cows or on the farm they live on. Here are the regulations:

• Cows must have access to graze on pasture for a min. of 120 day a year.
• 30% of the cow’s nutritional needs must come from fresh grass.
• Milk cows must be fed 100% organic and vegetarian diet, with no animal based feed or by products.
• Dairy cows cannot be given any antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones.
• Genetic engineering is not allowed anywhere in the organic dairy system.
• All farmland, forage and crops must be grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, fungicides or fertilizers.




Who knew that all these rules and regulations would create something that tastes so good! No wonder dairy is the second fastest growing segment of the organic food industry. There are no tricks to it. Organic milk promotes the health and welfare of people, animals and our planet. If farmers just let cows be cows by allowing them to eat grass and breathe fresh air, they will produce milk that actually “Does the Body Good.”

audrey - sales

trevor’s trek and childhood cancer

I was reminded of the somber reality of the childhood cancer epidemic last weekend while attending Trevor’s Trek. Trevor Smith is a survivor of brain cancer and has taken it upon himself to bring awareness to the community about Childhood cancer. Trevor had originally came to us requesting more information about our organic food business and also to support our cause in bringing chemical-free, Non-GMO, organic foods to schools, hospitals, and to the general public.

Trevor made it clear in his speech that he wholeheartedly believes that the toxins in our food and water supply have a direct correlation with the disproportionate amount cancer in our world today. We were honored to support the event and to help bring awareness to the community on the dangers of chemicals that are in our food (which has been linked to many disorders including cancer).

From everyone at earthpure organics™, we wish Trevor Smith the best of luck and success with his endeavor. earthpure organics™ is proud to partner with such a noble cause as Trevor’s Trek.

james - operations

thinking outside the box... or about the box.

Most of the food that we consume comes in some sort of package. A significant portion of this packaging is generated from one-use, to-go containers and packages. Fortunately, many new, plant-based one-use products have become available for retailers, foodservice providers, and consumers. The product offerings have become very diverse and include many types of bowls, plates, cups, cutlery, clamshells, trays, and more. And they are now made from an equally diverse range of resources including corn, beet, potato, bamboo, and bagasse (the fiber left over after cane juice extraction).

Bamboo and bagasse products are primarily made from pulp and resemble wood paper products. Corn, beet, and potato are used to create PLA, or polylactic acid, which resembles clear, petroleum-based plastic products in its finished form.

The waste stream from conventional, petroleum-based water bottles is staggering. Only a tiny percentage of these bottles ever get recycled. To address this reality, earthpure organics™ became the first company in the country to market a PLA bottle for the bottled water and vending industries. Now, consumers have the option of purchasing a bottle of water that is created from a renewable resource, is completely biodegradable in 80 days, and is BPA and phthalate-free. It is much cleaner and safer alternative for humans and the planet.

earthpure organics™ also distributes a full-line of plant-based one-use packaging. Just like organic food, bio-ware often costs more than its conventional counterpart. But it is the cost of being eco-conscious and green, and mustn’t be measured by the one-dimensional price-point lens. Health benefit, sustainability, and carbon footprint must also weigh into a product’s value. It is not enough, anymore, to think about what goes into the food we eat. Now, we must also think about the “healthiness” of the wrapper.

justin - product development

goodbye to plastic bags

I love to shop!

Whether it’s at the market or at the mall. Finding little treasures such as heirloom tomatoes or a pair of heels on sale is something that excites me. However, I used to pay little attention to the effects of my shopping habits on the planet. Every time I buy something I usually bring it home in a plastic bag. Even though I shove these bags under my kitchen sink with the plan to reuse them (lunch sacks, small trash can bags, etc.) I find it difficult to keep up with the ever-flowing pile, and eventually I throw them out. Apparently I am not the only with this constant battle. Every year an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide, and billions end up as litter each year. The problem with this litter is that plastic bags aren’t biodegradable. They just break up into smaller, more toxic pieces. These small bits of plastic bags kill hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales, and other marine mammals because they mistake it for food. How awful! So, I’ve decided that I am going to carry reusable bags out with me on shopping trips. Many stores sell them (earthpure organics, reusablebags.com, Wal-Mart) because they too what to encourage us to help our environment. Now I have another excuse to shop! I love purses because they make a statement, now my grocery bag will too!

http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php

audrey - sales

its easy being green - 4 steps to a greener school year

With Fall just around the corner, many of us are facing new battles with the kids back in school, and the lazy days of summer coming to an end. Schedules are busy but the healthy habits you worked to so hard to build during the summer should be all but forgotten. We did our part to cut down on our electricity by using the air conditioning sparingly, rode our bikes instead of driving, bought organic produce from local farmers markets and kept up on our recycling. These tiny changes are hardly an inconvenience, save us money and are a tremendous help in preserving our environment. Lets keep up the good work and continue to do our part and make this new school year as green as possible! With a few simple steps we can ensure a less wasteful and healthier year for everyone.

1) Reuse items from last year. Retailers love back to school time, marketed as a sort of holiday consumers are persuaded to purchase a number of items that are unnecessary and wasteful. Try pulling out last years backpack or binders and help your kids stay involved by letting them be apart of “greening” their school supplies. Realizing that some new things are unavoidable look for recycled paper and pencils as well as keeping and eye out companies that are producing eco-friendly goods. Many large chain stores such as Target, Staples and Wal-Mart are offering affordable alternatives for the environmentally conscious. Even here in our office we found sugar cane based (Bagasse) notebooks for .99 cents each, small changes like this add up if everyone were to participate.

2) Pack school lunches in reusable bags. This is a two for one, By preparing lunches ahead of time and bring them in reusable bags or boxes you are getting a healthy meal and cutting down on waste on landfills. Fill lunch boxes with organic snacks and meals so your child is getting the best possible nutrition while at school and not consuming the toxic chemicals, pesticides, preservatives, hormones, and GMO’s found in conventional foods.

3) Carpool, walk or ride your bike to school. This is a big one, most of us have become accustom to the convenience of hopping in the car with out much thought to the consequences. Over recent months with the gas prices sky rocking it has given many of us perspective and caused us to look into alternative transportation. In my opinion, this is fantastic. Becoming less dependant on oil in general will force many to walk or ride a bike, in turn making us all happier and healthier people. If driving is necessary look into carpools with other parents or public transportation.

4) Educate others. By sharing your knowledge of organic food and environmental concerns you may be surprised by the number of people you influence to make better choices in the future.

So there you have it, 4 simple steps to a greener school year, I wish everyone the best of luck this year and look forward to hearing any other suggestions or comments on what steps everyone else out there is taking to keep our families and environment healthy.

amber- business development

fats: good or bad?

Fat equals bad. Well at least that’s what our society believes. We know that fat causes us to have heart problems, diabetes, arthritis and an expanding waistline. Therefore, when we see a product labeled fat free or low fat, we reach for it. We are like moths to a flame. However, with the popularity of these non-fat foods, why then are our obesity rates are climbing while heart disease sits as the number one cause of death in America? I think the main reason for this discrepancy is that we are not aware of the different types of fat that exist in our food. There are both good fats and bad fats. Yes you heard me correctly… THERE ARE GOOD FATS! Good fat is way better than non-fat because it actually has health benefits, not to mention it tastes better too!

Let me break it down for you. Unsaturated fats are called good fats because they can improve blood cholesterol levels, ease inflammation, stabilize heart rhythms, and play a number of other beneficial roles. Unsaturated fats are found in plants, such as vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds. These fats are liquid at room temperature. The two types of unsaturated fat are called monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats are found in high concentrations in canola, peanut, and olive oils, avocados. They are also in nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts, and pecans, and seeds such as pumpkin and sesame. Polyunsaturated fats are found in oils such as sunflower, corn, soybean, and flaxseed. They are also found in foods such as walnuts, flax seeds, and fish. Omega-3 fats are an important type of polyunsaturated fat. The body can't make these, so they must come from food. An excellent way to get omega-3 fats is by eating fish two or three times a week. Good plant sources of omega-3 fats include chia, flax seeds, walnuts, and oils such as flaxseed, canola, and soybean. So don’t be afraid to fill up on all these wonderful foods!

Bad fats are the ones that we need to watch for, they are the types of fat that cause an increase in cholesterol, and heart problems. Bad fats include saturated and trans fat. Saturated fat is found mostly in foods from animals including beef, veal, lamb, pork, lard, poultry fat, butter, cream, milk, cheeses and other dairy products made from whole and 2 percent milk. All of these foods not only contain saturated fat, but they also contain dietary cholesterol. Some plants also contain saturated fat, they include coconut, coconut oil, palm / palm kernel oil, and cocoa butter. The other bad fat, trans fat (also called hydrogenated fat) is found in many processed foods. These foods undergo a chemical process called hydrogenation. This process is done to increase the shelf life and maintain the flavor of the food. Trans fat can be found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, cookies, snack foods, and other foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils. Unlike other fats, the majority of trans fat is formed when food manufacturers turn liquid oils into solid fats like shortening and hard margarine. Both trans fat and saturated fat need to be eaten in moderation.

Now with this new understanding of the difference between good fat and bad fat, it is important to blow out the flame! Instead of being drawn to these fat free labels on the front of the package, flip the product over and look at the Nutrition Facts panel, and choose the food with the lower amounts of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Health experts recommend that you keep your intake of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol as low as possible while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3045789

So, enjoy your unsaturated fats, they are good for you!

Audrey - Corporate Sales

organic: it is more nutritious

The debate over nutritional value in organic vs. conventional food has been an ongoing battle for years now. Government and private studies have been performed; many with a different outcomes, thus confusing consumers and leaving us with contradictory information and no answers to a serious issue. One of the fatal flaws in the numerous studies, and the main reason we cannot get a definitive answer, is simply the inconsistency of each experiment. Comparing a study on organic produce in Washington to one done in Germany in different soil, weather conditions, care taking practices, and other farming variables is like comparing apples to oranges.

There are studies that prove that without a doubt organic produce is a more nutritious product - not every product proves to be extraordinarily higher in nutritional value but in my opinion, it’s enough to warrant a second look. According to 41 different studies and a report compiled by certified nutrition specialist Virginia Worthington on fruits, vegetable’s and grains, there is almost 30% more vitamin C, 22% more iron, and 30% more magnesium on average in organic produce compared to conventional produce. In addition there is approximately 15% less nitrates! Among the many reports published, the higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals remains consistent throughout experiments all over the world. Info such as a study commissioned the Organic Retailer and Growers Association has stated that conventional foods purchase in standard grocery stores has 10 times less mineral content that fruits and vegetables grown organically.

Research on the benefits of eating organic foods for its nutritional content should be enough to convince most people to pick organic during their next shopping trip but, if that isn’t enough, consider the fact that not only are you eating a more nutritious product, you are also avoiding all of the synthetic pesticides, hormones, GMO’s, and chemicals that are now part of your conventional produce. That’s good for everybody.

http://www.organic-center.org/news.pr.php?action=detail&pressrelease_id=22

Amber – Business Development

earthpure staff

The team.

Thank you all for a great job defining our mission, our company and our future.

paul - founder

reduce, reuse, recycle…rethink

How can we lighten the toxic load on ourselves and our environment? How can we make better use of our resources? We can address these questions via the green mantra “Reduce, Recycle, Reuse.”

Think about “Reduce”. As consumers, people often change habits because they are affected financially. A great, recent example of this phenomenon is the rapid rise in demand for fuel-efficient vehicles and the dramatic drop in demand for gas guzzlers, as the price of fuel climbs. Coupled with the rise in carpooling, biking, and overall reduced usage of vehicles, the net effect is a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.

How about “Reuse”? Cities, states, and countries around the world are starting to ban or restrict the use of plastic grocery bags. What a great movement. When you stop and think about the fact that most of these bags are used only once, they don’t make much sense. Of course, many do get reused at home, which is great, but they still have a very short functional life, relative to their decomposition rate. Hey, how about a reusable, fabric grocery bag? An organic, reusable grocery bag. How about a biodegradable produce bag?

And of course, we know “Recycle”. Immediately, most of us think of paper, aluminum, and plastic. Most of the materials in these categories recycle very well, especially when they are clean, washed, and without a cap. But how about biological recycling? When asked the question, “What is the best thing that an individual can do to make a difference in the environment?”, visionary architect and designer William McDonough responded with one word, “Composting.” Just as our exhales are the inhales of trees, and vice versa, our biological wastes are the raw material that feeds and enriches the soil. And we can also generate significant amounts of electricity during this decomposition process.

The momentum toward sustainable lifestyles and business practices is growing, through economic pressure, efficient products, and social awareness. Earthpure™ will continue to do its part, large and small to contribute. We hope you will join us.

justin - product development

money trees for grown-ups: a look at sustainable energy

When I was young, I would imagine what it would be like to have a money tree in my backyard. Anytime I wanted a new toy, I would just pluck the dollar leaves off the branches, water the roots, and skip away without any worry of running out of my allowance. Soon more dollar leaves would grow and I would continue to be rich! Now that I’ve grown up, I’ve noticed that there are “money trees” all over the place. Okay, so not actual trees, but almost as good. Wind power and solar power act like money trees to our homes, businesses, and economy. We can use the sun and wind just like the leaves on the money tree. It’s renewable! Unlike gas (and money), we can’t run out of wind and sunlight. Because these renewable technologies are so new, there is one barrier that keeps people from buying them, they are expensive. However, even though the seeds for money tress are expensive, the money leaves pay you back forever. The same is true with the use of renewable energies. Sustainable energy sources provide a wonderful rate of return. When a business or home makes the initial purchase of a solar panel or wind turbine, they begin to save money. Both sunlight and wind are free! Electricity bills drop, gas bills drop, and the best part is that the environment is protected at the same time. If a business is still hesitant to make the initial purchase of these new technologies, there are organizations such as the Bonneville Environmental Foundation. They offer Green Tags through the EPA Green Tag Program. The purchase of these Green Tags allows you to support a sustainable energy of your choice. So, even if a company doesn’t have their very own wind turbine, they can still support the use of sustainable energies. This program is a great way to use wind and sun energy, while the technology that harvests them is still so new (and expensive). That’s why earthpure organics™ is committed to providing Green Tags on all of their products. Every product has carbon offsets through the support of wind power. Now that I work with a company that helps grow “money trees” I can focus my free time on finding a Pink Barbie Jeep.

audrey - sales

sb12: the beginning of something better

Senate Bill 12 went into effect on July 1st, 2007. It details basic nutritional standards for snack foods and entrees that are sold in schools. These requirements include a maximum of 35% calories from fat, 10% from saturated fat, and 35% from sugar. Also, a snack item may not exceed 175 calories in elementary schools and 250 calories in middle and high schools.

As good as this may sound, these guidelines are just the frosting on the cake....with less sugar and fat. The fact is, over 10,000 existing products had been reformulated for SB 12 compliance by the time it went into effect last year. Less calories, fat, and sugar? Sure. But they are still, very often, highly processed products that contain GMOs, pesticide and herbicide residues, preservatives, artificial sweeteners, colors, and flavors and so on. 100-calorie packs of cookies. Baked chips. These are not necessarily part of a "healthy" diet. But at least it is a start. It is the foods on the "exempted list" that really deserve our attention. The list includes fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, nut butters, seeds, eggs and cheese. The nutrition profiles of these foods are generally much better than their processed, sugar-added, fried, or baked, counterparts. But unfortunately, they still aren't as available and visible in schools as many of us would like them to be.

earthpure organics™ has taken a great interest in supporting SB 12 and supporting positive change in the availability of quality snack items for students. earthpure organics™ in partnership with it sister company, Nextgen Vending™, produces and distributes a wide range of SB 12 compliant foods, including whole food formulations like dried fruits, nuts, trail mixes, and food bars. And, of course, it is always organic™.

justin - product development

genetically modified to what?

Concerns surrounding this issue have sparked debates from nearly every field (no pun intended)- from environmentalists, health specialists, to scientists, everyone seems to have a significant position. While genetically modified foods (GMO's) have been on the market since the early 90’s, and make up the majority of produce at most grocery stores today, there remains to be a contentious attitude towards the practice.

I have to admit; in the past I have felt torn on this issue myself. Why? All I have to do is recall my “introduction” biology class at the local university. I clearly recall the lesson that fell right in between the nitrogen cycle and the human genome. The professor claimed, whole-heartedly, that genetically modified foods are completely safe and that we should trust the regulations that are in place that ensure the safety of our food. Then she coolly explained how tomato crops have been infused with the genetics of a sea creature, resulting in extreme temperature resistance (not to mention its ability to navigate against a strong current, and a stem that resembles a dorsal fin).

I don’t want to knock the regulating agencies that work hard to keep our food safe. But, mistakes do happen. Just think about the recent salmonella breakouts. How long did it take to determine the source? Wait, did they ever determine the source? Furthermore, think of how many ingredients that are allowed to be put into our food products as a main ingredients when they have been linked to deadly diseases: high fructose corn syrup or monosodium glutamate anyone? If the same regulating agencies allow that, what is stopping them from seriously questioning GMO issues?

Reading about genetically modified food on the web can also be quite the dumbfounding task- this blog excluded, of course. However, many agencies and health specialist remain vehemently opposed to GM foods, citing everything from poor safety testing1,to unintended, unknown effects on flora fauna biodiversity2, and economic concerns resulting from gene patents3.

So, whether some scientists are convinced of the dangers in GMO food, or not, I’ll continue to err on the side of caution. There is just enough concern out there about GMO foods to have me thinking of my children’s delicate bodies, lives, and their future on this planet.

james - operations

food that’s fair

When I used to grocery shop I had one goal in mind, to get in and out as quickly as possible. I would zip from aisle to aisle tossing random items into my cart and then finish my trip by gambling with the grocery lines, trying to determine which was the shortest. As it would be, I always ended up behind the man who fought with the cashier about sale prices, or the lady who couldn’t find her wallet. However, my grocery trip goals have recently changed. With the increase in food prices I realized that I needed to pay better attention to what I buy at the grocery store. I could no longer afford to have a bunch of food in my pantry going to waste, so I began to plan out what to buy and start reading labels. As soon as I slowed my pace down at the store to a swift glide I was able to notice all the different types of products. Not only were there almonds, but also, there were organic almonds, raw almonds, and an especially new label to me, fair trade almonds. When I looked at this foreign sticker, I began to analyze it. I know what it means to be fair and I know what it means to trade, but I didn’t know much about our world trade practices. I shouldn’t have been surprised that I knew little about our trade practices considering the fact that I never really thought about how my food got to my table other that the fact that I drove it from the store to my kitchen (sad I know!) This little sticker intrigued me so I began researching and this I what I found:
In today's world economy, where profits rule and small-scale producers are left out of the bargaining process, farmers, craft producers, and other workers are often left without resources or hope for their future. Fair Trade principles help exploited producers escape from this cycle and gives them a way to maintain their traditional lifestyles with dignity. Here are some of the benefits of fair trade:

• Fair trade increases annual incomes of small farmers
• Fair trade helps put in place tools for self-sufficiency
• Fair trade assists small farmers to stay out of high interest debt
• Fair Trade helps build infrastructure in farmers community
• Fair trade lets consumers have a clear conscience about their purchases
• Fair trade lets consumers assist and empower others with their buying power
• Fair trade lets consumers be part of a social justice movement
• Fair trade allows consumers to initiate a chain of responses that will positively impact the lives of farmers and their families.
• Small farmers use organic methods, which are more environmentally friendly and sustainable
• Small farmers disperse their plants throughout a region, a sustainable method
• Small farmers plant shade grown coffee which is key to protecting certain species of birds
• The existence of small farmers helps prevent the clear-cutting of larger estates

Clearly this one little sticker has one big message. Life’s not fair to many of the people who provide our food, so it is up to us, as the consumer to speak with our wallets and support companies who are fair trade certified. Now, with my self-education on all of the different meanings of certain labels (fair trade, organic, gluten free, vegan, etc.) I have a quick reference on my packaging, and I can once again zip through the aisles, however this time I’ll be making smart and socially conscious purchases as well.

audrey - sales

conventional foods and obesity

We have all seen it on the news, read about it in magazines, we know obesity is a problem; we know we have to make changes but the question is why? Why are 1 out of 4 Americans obese, why has obesity steadily been on the rise for the past 25 years? What is different now than 30 years ago?

According to studies around the world, MSG, an additive in most conventional foods could quite possibly be the reason behind a nation-wide obesity epidemic. During multiple studies regarding diets and diabetes, mice were injected with MSG as newborns. The MSG triples the amount of insulin the pancreas creates, in effect creating obese mice to perform tests on. This is similar to what happens when humans ingest foods with MSG. By stimulating the pancreas to release insulin, which in turn drops blood sugar MSG will actually increase appetite! This is no accident, manufactures are well aware of the effects their product create. To much insulin can also lead to the start of type II diabetes, which just happens to be alarmingly increasing in children, which was almost unheard of before the introduction to MSG.

MSG, which is not used in organic food, is found in all types of conventional foods, prepackaged dinners, fast food, chips, cookies, crackers…..its everywhere. The only way to be sure you are not eating it is to be sure the food you buy and prepare is fresh, organic and healthy. MSG manufacturers do not hide the fact that their product is used to hook customers and make than eat more of it than if MSG were not added. It is up to you to take responsibility, educate others and make the choice to buy healthy and organic foods and snacks whenever possible.

We can beat this obesity epidemic, eat fresh, local and organic also teach those around you about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and we can turn the next 25 years into something Americans can be proud of.

amber - business development

children and the dirty dozen

Often people make healthy lifestyle changes when they become parents. Parents want what’s best for their kids, and increasingly, organic products are becoming part of these lifestyle transitions. Clear signs of this movement can be found in the rapidly expanding organic baby food and organic baby clothing industries.

Organic food is very likely even more important for children than it is for adults. Children eat much more food than adults do in relation to their weight. They are also affected more quickly and easily by the foods they ingest. This is why it’s the "pregnant women and children" that must be warned about the heavy metals they may be consuming in their tuna. In addition to their low body mass and relatively rapid metabolism, children are growing and developing on a daily basis. It is these aspects of being a child that make a healthy, organic diet so essential.

Most of us understand the importance of consuming a diet that is balanced in respect to the different food groups, or, the balance between carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. We have also heard that most of us should be eating more fruits and vegetables- and most children love fruit. Unfortunately, some non-organic fruits and vegetables have been shown to consistently absorb high amounts of pesticides. These "dirty dozen" of produce include: apples, strawberries, peaches, pears, nectarines, imported grapes, spinach, potatoes, celery, lettuce, cherries, and bell peppers. Studies suggest that by replacing the conventional varieties of these 12 foods with organic varieties, an individual can drastically reduce their overall pesticide intake. Another recent study from the University of Washington tracked the pesticide by-product levels in children’s urine. The findings showed that children who consumed mostly organic produce and juices versus conventional varieties of produce and juices had only 1/6 of the pesticide by-products present in their urine. These studies are incredibly significant and highlight a good starting point for those of us that are new to organic food.

New parents, new kids, new organic diet!

justin - product development