My Top 5 Organic Food Moments of 2012

Written by Max Goldberg on December 27, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

Reflecting back on 2012, it was truly an amazing year and so much happened that I can hardly believe it.

More than anything, I am beyond grateful for the growing number of people who read what I have to say here. So, I thank each and every one of you for the time you spend on my site and on my social media pages.

In no particular order, here are my Top 5 Organic Food Moments of 2012.

COSTA RICA TRIP

The trip I took to Costa Rica in February was unforgettable. We went to EARTH University, learned how sustainable bananas are produced, saw the incredible work that the Whole Planet Foundation is doing down there, spent time on the coast at Puerto Viejo, and built a biodigester for a local family in need.

It may very well be the best moment since I started livingmaxwell a few years ago. Read More »

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Final Reflections on Costa Rica, What the Heck is a Biodigester, What Noni Looks Like

Written by Max Goldberg on March 1, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

Before heading down to Costa Rica, I had no idea that it would be one of the best trips that I would ever take and that it would impact me so greatly.

Now back in New York City, I have been trying to wrap my arms around why I loved it so much. Three main things come to mind:

1) First and foremost, it was a phenomenal group of people on the trip. Despite the fact that almost none of us had ever met before, we all got along really, really well. No drama, very easy, and everyone was extremely likeable.

Additionally, the individuals from EARTH University who hosted and took us around Costa Rica were beyond gracious. Their warmth and concern for our well-being was just truly amazing. Read More »

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A Tour of the Farmers Market in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Written by Max Goldberg on February 28, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

[SORRY IN ADVANCE FOR THE AUDIO QUALITY]

On the last few days of my trip to Costa Rica, I was in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.

Populated by many European and American ex-pats, Puerto Viejo is a really cool surfing town on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.

As someone who is always looking for organic food, it was no exception when I was in Puerto Viejo. I was told that the farmers market each Saturday sells organic food, so I stopped by to take a look around. Read More »

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Whole Planet Foundation is Transforming Lives in Costa Rica

Written by Max Goldberg on February 27, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

Last week in Costa Rica, I visited with some women entrepreneurs who are receiving microloans from the Whole Planet Foundation, a non-profit organization of Whole Foods.

I have written about the Whole Planet Foundation before and the amazing job that it is doing around the world but meeting the loan recipients in-person gave me a much greater appreciation for the impact that this program is having.

Women entrepreneurs from impoverished communities receive loans, starting at a few hundred dollars, to start businesses – baking, sewing, buying animals, running a small store, etc. With a 98% success rate (only 2% of the loans default), this incremental revenue plays an essential role in improving the well-being and welfare of thousands of families. Read More »

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How Sustainable Bananas are Produced at EARTH University in Costa Rica

Written by Max Goldberg on February 24, 2012. Follow Max on Twitter: @livingmaxwell.

When I was at EARTH University in Costa Rica, I got a chance to learn everything about sustainable banana production – from how they are grown in the fields to how they are shipped to the U.S.

In this video, I’ll take you onto the banana plantation of EARTH University and show you the issues that they have to deal with when growing bananas in such humid conditions.

What’s important to note is that it took EARTH University many, many years for its sustainable bananas to reach profitability and the school was told by consultants that the program wasn´t going to work. Read More »

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