Producers of Organic Food that Are Good for the Consumer and the Planet

In recent years as consumers have begun taking a closer look at what goes in to the food they are eating, organic foods have gained in popularity. But there is also much to be said about many of the companies that are producing organic food and how they are not only generating food that is good for our bodies, but also good for our environment. Below, I discuss three companies that produce high-quality organic food while making a difference.

Newman's Own: Founded by the famous blue-eyed actor himself, Paul Newman's modest undertaking to put all-natural salad dressing with a purpose on the shelves of a few grocery stores back in 1982 has since burgeoned into a multi-million - dollar enterprise producing products ranging from salsa to lemonade. What makes Newman's Own remarkable however is the fact that 100% of post-tax revenue is donated to a variety of charities, including Newman's personal mission, Hole in the Wall Gang Camps, which provide residential summer camps for seriously ill children.

In 1993, Newman's daughter Nell took the enterprise one step further, founding Newman's Own Organics. Producing everything from fig newtons to dog food, this spin-off supports organic farming practices that work toward greater sustainability and reduction of greenhouse effects. Since the founding of Newman's Own, the company has donated over $280 million to thousands of charities.

Stonyfield: What began in 1983 as a farming school that taught sustainable agriculture practices has since transformed itself into a successful producer of organic yogurt and other dairy products. Initially, the sale of yogurt produced by the few dairy cows kept at the farming school was a means of keeping the school afloat. Soon, however, founding members realized that their growing yogurt business could actually do more to support organic farming than the school itself. Thus, a thriving yogurt operation was born.

Production of their delectable organic dairy products requires purchases from a variety of organic farms, helping sustain these farms and keeping more than 100,000 acres of farmland free from toxic pesticides and other chemicals used by their nonorganic counterparts.

In addition, Stonyfield created its Profits for the Planet campaign in order to further help protect and restore our planet. Ten percent of their profits are donated to such worthwhile causes as New Hampshire Audubon and Earth University in Costa Rica. Profits for the Planet has gifted in excess of $10 million over the last 26 years.

Annie's Homegrown: Like Newman's Own and Stonyfield, Annie's Homegrown, which specializes in organic foods ranging from snack crackers to skillet meals, helps sustain over 75 organic family farms that practice in accordance with Mother Nature's best interests. However, Annie's takes their eco-friendly mission to the next level.

All of the packaging used for Annie's products contain at least some recycled content and all of their paperboard packaging is made from 100% recycled paper fiber with a minimum of 35% post-consumer recycled content. What this means is that the paperboard boxes used to package their delicious organic mac 'n cheese has been made at least partially from previously recycled objects. This new box can then be recycled up to 5 times before the paper fibers are no longer suitable for re-use. Now that is how you make recycling work!

And Annie's efforts do not end there. In order to help offset the carbon dioxide emissions created by their corporate headquarters, manufacturing facilities, distribution headquarters, and their mobile tour, Annie's calculates their energy usage and contributes accordingly to NativeEnergy, which in turn uses the money to build windmill farms. By investing in clean, renewable energy sources like wind power, Annie's is helping to reduce further carbon dioxide emissions.

Newman's Own, Stonyfield, and Annie's Homegrown are just a few of the companies that are dedicated not only to producing quality organic products you can trust, but also to protecting our precious planet. And that is good for everyone!

Sources:

www.newmansown.com

www.annies.com

www.stonyfield.com