When I was first contacted by Whole Foods to learn about its new program to help raise money for kids in Africa, I didn’t have any idea what to expect.
I was very aware that the company, through its Whole Planet Foundation, does a lot of great work around the world, but the video below really blew me away. And I knew immediately that I had to write about it and spread the word. Read More »
For some people, Hurricane Irene has come and gone and we are back to living our normal lives.
Yet, for many organic farmers in the Northeast, the storm has been devastating.
The organic farmers hardest hit have been in Eastern New York, Southern Vermont, Western Massachusetts, Western Connecticut and Northern New Jersey.
THE DAMAGE
Along with losing their electricity, many farmers have had their properties completely flooded, which is a disaster for two reasons.
One, they have lost everything that is in the ground now. Read More »
Just as I profiled Steaz several months ago with their initiative to empower women, Honest Tea has launched something similar. However, Honest Tea is doing this with a brand new and innovative product.
The company recently introduced Passion Fruit Green Tea with Maqui Berry. There are a few unique attributes to this drink.
- Most importantly, Honest Tea has partnered with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and will be donating $100,000 in 2010 to this great non-profit. The limited-edition bottles have Komen for the Cure pink ribbons and caps.
Interestingly, the drink’s central component is green tea. Green tea contains powerful antioxidants, which help fight cancer.
- This is the first bottled tea that is made with organic stevia.
- Maqui berry is also included. I have never had maqui berry but it is a South American super-food that has been reported to have higher levels of antioxidants than the acai berry.
The tea is now available in New York City and in the Mid-Atlantic region. Honest Tea will be rolling it out over the next few months and nationwide distribution will be in place by January.
Fantastic idea for a great cause!
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I also love the fact that Honest Tea is blazing a new trail with the maqui berry.
While I don’t know every drink on the market, I have never heard of tea that has this super-food. It will be interesting to see if this berry steals some thunder from the very popular acai.
After speaking with Eric Schnell, the co-founder of Steaz, one of the most well-known organic beverage brands, it is no surprise that he and his company have just launched a really fantastic program that seeks to help women.
And, I am not just saying this because he is a fellow Bostonian.
Giving back and creating a better world is something that he has been taught his entire life.
During his childhood in the 1970s, he grew up in a house that had solar panels, spent a few years living with his family in an ashram and was fed organic food from the very beginning.
Each year since the founding of Steaz, Eric and his team have tried to do something new and different to promote these same ideals and values.
Previous endeavors include: becoming the first sparkling beverage company to have the USDA Organic seal, switching to all Fair Trade ingredients and operating a carbon-neutral business. The goal this year was to create something very their own and long-lasting.
Hence, the idea for the SEED Initiative.
The program, which stands for Social, Environmental and Economic Discovery, uses a three-dimensional model of giving. Steaz makes grants in the form of cash, products and mentoring to women who have done outstanding work in the community.
Six women, all of whom now form the committee to select future winners, have received the award this year and can direct the grant to the charity of their choosing. Read More »
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