NOW Foods of Bloomingdale, IL is opening a 130,000-ft2 distribution facility in Sparks, NV in early 2012. The company already has a 38,500-ft2 distribution facility here, and will add 10 people to the staff.

The American Botanical Council of Austin, TX is hosting “Botanical Medicine from the Amazon and Machu Picchu” from October 9 through 19 in Peru. For more information, visit www.herbalgram.org.

New to members of the American Herbal Products Association is the ThinkRisk Vitamin & Supplement Program, which offers coverage for false advertising and claims. The insurance program is available through Grifcon Enterprises and Dick Griffin, who can be reached at (916)434-8874.

The United Natural Products Association, Salt Lake City, UT, held a two-day seminar in July at which the proposed NDI guidance document from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was discussed.

Tree of Life (a KeHE Company), Aubrey Organics and Carlson Laboratories accepted the Natural Products Association’s Diamond Manufacturer Award. These companies were selected because they have been active in the association for years. The award represents 75 years of the NPA’s existence. The Best of Show Retailers’ Choice Award went to The Seaweed Bath Co. and the Young Entrepreneur Award was presented to Henry Miller of Henry’s Sweet Miracle Honey.

Whole Living Senior Editor Terri Trespicio highlighted a derma e product (Vitamin E 12,000 I.U. Crème) on the Beauty By the Vitamin segment of WPIX-TV (Channel 11) Morning News in New York.

From September 1 through January, shoppers can enter the SafSlim Lean Belly Challenge for a chance to win up to $1,000, a year of this high-linoleic safflower oil and a Belly Fat Breakthrough book and kit. Individuals must take two tablespoons of the product for three months, records changes in their body and take before-and-after photos. Shoppers can register at www.safslim.com/leanbelly.

Vitamix of Cleveland, OH announced the winners of its essay contest. Participants had to write about how Vitamix inspires them for the chance to win two Vitamix commercial blenders. The winner was Richard J. Biondo, corporate chef at 5 Napkin Burger in Brooklyn, NY.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, September 2011