Ask an average person, “when is the right time to do a good deed?” and “all the time” tends to be the answer. But in the case of corporate citizenship, the bar is generally set much lower. Deeds and policies that promote the common good without regard to commercial success are uncommon among for-profit companies. … Read more KeHE Becomes First B-Corp Certified Distributor in US
Michelle Fox Senior Manager, Brand Growth Solutions As consumers seek ingredient transparency, manufacturers have begun to respond by sharing more details on where ingredients come from, how they are processed and ultimately packaged to reach the end products that we see on store shelves. Typically during the manufacturing process, refrigerated packaged products are heated to … Read more Betting Big on HPP
Michelle Fox Senior Manager, Brand Growth Solutions In Chicago, the outdoor farmers markets are winding down, the leaves have begun to change and fall is in full swing. With autumn’s crispness in the air, it’s a great time to reflect on the sweltering, muggy and seemingly-all-too-short summer. It’s hard to pinpoint whether it was the … Read more Cold Brew Coffee on the Rise
Winston Churchill was quoted as saying, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” This quote resounds with me, as advocacy has been ingrained in my core philosophy since before the second grade. As a Montessori child harkening from a legacy of philanthropists and host to … Read more SPINS Inspire Vibrancy: Building Connections Through Philanthropy
Part II of the Product Library Team’s industry education coupled with internal group collaboration took us on two more Chicago area excursions. Rachel takes us through the greening and community building ethos of Method factory, while Alison provides the recipe for a relaxing craft beer sampling at Lagunitas Brewery Rachel Kirchner – Method factory tour; … Read more Method Factory and Lagunitas Brewery Tours
Local to our SPINS headquarters, the Product Library team recently tapped into our natural and organic senses and embarked on Chicago tours not found in your typical guidebooks – well, except for that exceptional craft brewery! This two-part serial features debut contributions from a few of the newest Natural Products Research Associates detailing our team’s … Read more NOW Foods Factory Tour
The saying goes that, “it takes a village to raise a child,” and in today’s connected world we know that a multi-faceted approach to health is necessary for holistic community wellness. For that reason, it was a joy to have recently worked at the intersections of education, food, medicine and local government collaborating to raise … Read more A New Kind of Health Fair in Pleasanton
Michelle Fox Senior Manager, Brand Growth Solutions “What IS that?!” Exclaim the majority of people who enter my kitchen. It’s a near guarantee as soon as their eyes glance over to the glass jar with the floating discs and hanging strands. As they lean in to get a closer look, I prepare to launch into … Read more Getting Cultured on the Kombucha Craze
Last month, as Manger of Policy at SPINS, with Product Library Director, Susanna Ghaemi, I had the opportunity to participate in a day of Capitol Hill visits on behalf of the Organic Trade Association (OTA). What an experience! What probably should not have been surprising, but was, is that anyone can enter into a House … Read more Organic Trade Association Capitol Hill Visit
Almost any handpicked crop runs the risk of worker exploitation, which is happening on farms around the world and in our backyard. The momentum for food system transparency is drawing attention to workers picking domestic crops in the United States. Human and worker rights is an important issue of our times, and one we as … Read more Policy Insights: Domestic Fair Trade