According to data collected by the Organic Trade Association of Greenfield, MA, farmers of organic cotton planted 26% more organic cotton in 2009 than they did in 2008. This is the most organic cotton planting that has taken place since 2001. The farmers who responded to the survey indicated that the top factors standing in the way of additional organic cotton growing are: finding a market for the cotton, identifying people to pay premium prices for organic cotton, problems such as weeds and insects, and labor expenses.

Navitas Naturals of Novato, CA has achieved third-party GMP/HACCP certification from Scientific Certification Systems for its production plant.
natural factors
The University of Kansas received $5 million in funding for its “Innovation Center for Advanced Plant Design: Plants for the Heartland” program. This project will analyze the potential of plants native to Kansas for botanical remedies, dietary supplements, cosmetic products and pharmaceutical or veterinary agents.

Natural pet products specialist Zuke’s of Durango, CO announced that it has several new retailer support initiatives in place. Programs include in-store sampling, event support, promotional materials (e.g., bandanas, hats, totes), tradeshow specials, window decals, end-caps and more. Visit www.zukes.com for more information.

Down to Earth, an all-vegetarian, organic and natural products retailer based in Honolulu, HI, updated and enhanced its Web site, www.downtoearth.org.

 Simi Valley, CA-based derma e Natural Bodycare can now be followed on Twitter. According to the company, the social networking site will allow the firm to “join in on the conversation creating multiple opportunities for interaction with followers.” It also has a new Facebook page.

Lanny Barnes of Durango, CO, a biathlon athlete sponsored by elete Electrolyte Add-In, represented the United States in the 2010 Winter Olympics. This electrolyte add-in made by Mineral Resources International of Ogden, UT, recently received certification from Informed-Choice that it contains no substances that could cause athletes to test positive in anti-doping tests.

Life Line Foods/Buried Treasure Liquid Nutrients announced that it recently transitioned to renewable solar power. “The clean energy we produce will offset pollutants produced from coal-fired plants such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide,” the company stated.

Jarrow Formulas of Los Angeles, CA, relaunched its Web site, www.jarrow.com. The redesigned site offers several new features including product videos, YouTube channel links, interactive surveys, Jarrow nutrition news features, a science news feed and a “Did You Know” consumer information feed. It also includes an expanded sampling program for consumers. The firm kicked off the launch with a “Treasure Chest of Wellness” contest in which lucky winners received $300 worth of Jarrow Formulas’ leading products.

Jarrow Formulas also announced it now has the right to sell products containing Probi’s Lp299v probiotic bacteria exclusively to U.S. health food stores. The Jarrow Formulas’ product Ideal Bowel Support (IBS) 299v will launch in the first quarter of this year.

Ojai, CA-based New Chapter donated 10,500 boxes of children’s supplements to Nourish America for distribution to over 1,000 families in New York City. This equates to a sixth-month supply of supplements per family.
Conference organizers of the 2010 World Tea Expo announced that its event will be co-located with Natural MarketPlace in Las Vegas, NV. The conference will take place June 11 through 13.

Himalaya Herbal Healthcare of Houston, TX hired architectural firm Kirksey to design and build its new LEED Gold-Certified eco-friendly facility. The new seven-acre site, located in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land, will house the company’s sales, marketing and shipping departments. In addition, it will feature a teaching organic herb garden and a multimedia training center that will show live feeds from Himalaya’s farmland and manufacturing facility in India. Himalaya hopes to finish the building by the first quarter of 2011.

Zia Natural Skincare has relaunched its Web site, www.zianatural.com. The site is intended to be easier to navigate.

 

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, March 2010