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DOCUMENTARY: The Importance of REBBL With A Cause and the Possibility that it Inspires

When you mention the name REBBL to most people, the first thing that usually pops up is their favorite flavor of the company’s adaptogenic coconut elixirs.

After all, these drinks are incredibly delicious and nutritious. And addictive.

Yet, when you dig deeper and peel back the layers of this brand, a very inspirational story emerges.

In REBBL With A Cause, an excellent documentary about the company’s origin and mission, we also learn how it is using Brazil nuts sourced from Peru to improve the well-being of indigenous people in that region and also to fight against human slavery and trafficking around the world — a $150 billion annual business, with 80% of the victims women and children.

Even though I profiled REBBL’s use of Brazil nuts in a story that I did last year, the information that I gathered to write this piece was all second-hand.

I did not meet the farmers, I could not see the Brazil nut trees in the rainforest, I was unable to truly understand the struggles that these people face and how they were being taken advantage of by local traders.

Additionally, I could not fully grasp the sensitivity to which REBBL was approaching this project in Peru.

While I was aware that the individuals who run and work at REBBL are deeply caring, seeing them interact with the indigenous people in Peru and observing them take the long-term approach of building true relationships — partnerships — came through vividly in this film. So did the enormous impact that REBBL has had in this community and throughout the world, where the company has helped more than 20,000 people escape human trafficking.

Along with giving me a much greater appreciation for the incredible work that REBBL is doing in Peru, the documentary also forced me to think about some larger issues in society and in my own life.

This was because the principle of regenerative business — using a business to improve every person or thing that it comes into contact with — was an important theme in the film and is a guiding force in how REBBL operates and makes decisions on a daily basis.

As a result, the following questions came up for me.

Shouldn’t we be expecting more from the companies that we support and whose products we buy? Shouldn’t they all be in the pursuit of operating as a regenerative business?

And how can I, as an individual, be more regenerative in my own life? How can I become more conscious and positively impact every person and thing that I interact with?

REBBL With A Cause is more than just a documentary about the good that an organic beverage company is doing in the world.

It is also a film that inspires us to be better.

And to ask what is possible.

 

To watch REBBL With A Cause, it can be viewed here.  

A message from Tradin Organic

Why Tradin Organic is Prioritizing Regenerative Organic Farming

At Tradin Organic, we believe that regenerative organic farming is key to growing healthy and nutritious food ingredients — for now and for future generations.

And in Sierra Leone, we have grown the world’s first Regenerative Organic Certified cacao.

Learn more.

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Living Maxwell

Company Stories

Erewhon in Los Angeles – The Most Amazing Organic Market

When I was in California recently to attend Expo West, I made a stop at Erewhon Natural Foods Market in Los Angeles. I first discovered Erewhon last year and it is the most amazing organic market.

As I explain in this video, a few things make it stand apart from the rest — the elixir bar and the massive selection of raw food products.

If you are ever in Los Angeles, make sure you stop by Erewhon. This organic market is truly one of a kind.

A message from Tradin Organic

How Tradin Organic is Helping Coconut Farmers in The Philippines

For more than a decade, Tradin Organic has been working with local partners in The Philippines to bring a diversified range of organic products to the market, such as coconut oil, tropical fruits and even cocoa.

The company is helping to support local farmers by assisting them with technical support and organic certification, in addition to paying Fairtrade premium on top of the organic premium.

Learn more.

Living Maxwell

Company Stories

Top 5 Organic Products of Fancy Food Show 2022

For the first time in three years, the Fancy Food Show returned to New York City, and as usual, it was a spectacular show.

While walking around the show on the first day, I was getting a bit concerned that I wasn’t going to find some stellar new organic products. But by the end of the show on the third day, I completely changed my mind.

Some of the new organic products that I discovered have the potential to be very large, well-known national brands, and the innovation that I saw was outstanding. Additionally, narrowing this list down to just five products was incredibly challenging. It easily could have been ten.

Here are my Top 5 Organic Products of Fancy Food Show 2022.

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Living Maxwell

Company Stories

Common Ground Country Fair in Maine is an Incredibly Special Event

For quite a while, I had been hearing all about the Common Ground Country Fair in Unity, Maine and decided to finally make the trip up north last week to see what the enthusiasm was all about.

Needless to say, the event exceeded all of my expectations, and it proved to be a truly special weekend. Not only is it rare that you can go to an event of this size and be able to eat organic food all day (there are no organic meal options at Expo West or Expo East), but you are surrounded by thousands of people who are also deeply committed to this way of life.

In its 40th year, the Common Ground Country Fair is an annual event put on by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and is a celebration of rural living. There are speakers, seminars, demonstrations, food and craft vendors, and a large farmers market.

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