by
Angela Pohlman, General Merchandise Category Manager,
Dean Kallas, Grocery Category Manager, and
Melissa Reiss, Purchasing Assistant
Working in the natural foods industry, it seems like every few months a brand that we love has been bought up by a large corporation (for better or worse). If you are paying attention to where your dollars are going, this can be frustrating. Luckily, there are still several companies that are independent, and we have some highlighted for you here.
Lotus Foods
This company focuses on whole grain heirloom rice varieties that are grown using the “More Crop Per Drop” method that dramatically increases yields without negatively impacting the environment or the farmers.
Alaffia
Founded by Olowo-n’djo Tchala and Prairie Rose Hyde with one goal—to alleviate poverty in West Africa. Making bodycare products from local ingredients and creating employment for women in Togo, West Africa that is fair and empowering. Every purchase we make funds community programs addressing issues such as maternal health, education, female genital mutilation and reforestation.
Equal Exchange
This worker-owned cooperative introduced the first Fair Trade coffee to U.S. grocery stores in the ’80s, and continues to innovate and expand Fair Trade to other industries and markets.
Nutrigold
Family-owned supplement company with a focus on high-quality, efficacious products at an affordable price. They do not use magnesium stearate, and perform more third-party testing on all of their raw materials and finished products than are required by current Good Manufacturing Practices.
Amy’s Kitchen
Family-owned, they began in the ’80s to fill a void they found in the market for organic, vegetarian convenience foods. They call themselves Fiercely Independent—they don’t even have shareholders!
Rebbl
Rebbl’s mission is: “To create real food products unparalleled in taste, function, and nutrition that support a unique business model with direct impact in the fight against human trafficking.” They donate 2.5% of revenue to the program Not For Sale, that supports vulnerable regions of the world against human trafficking. Rebbl’s “elixirs” as they call them, are true senses of the word—sublime beverage concoctions that are nutrient-dense and delicious. From cold brew coffees blended with Reishi, a.k.a. “the Divine Mushroom of Immortality,” to a turmeric golden milk to an ashwagandha chai—the coconut milk-based beverages are vegan and Certified Organic.
EvanHealy
Evan started this skin care company in 1999. She is an aesthetician, and studied Ayurvedic medicine, homeopathy, and aromatherapy. Ingredient sourcing is a very special part of her line—she not only sources high quality ingredients, but also ones that will create deep relationships with growers and women’s cooperatives.
Organic Valley
A cooperative of over 2,000 small, family farms that produce dairy and egg products—much of it raised in the midwest. “We’re Proudly independent. And we’ll never sell.”
Natural Factors
This supplement company is based in Canada and has been around since the 1950s. They grow much of the food and herbs that are in their supplements! Sustainability is a huge focus for them, and we’re proud to have them!
