Held on International Women’s Day, the 2013 Women in Naturals Networking Reception (sponsored by Reserveage Organics) brought together women of diverse backgrounds with a common love of natural.

Key speaker Naomi Whittel, CEO of Reserveage Organics, underscored the issue of sustainability with respect to natural and organic. “Sustainable business is what this industry is about, and will propel it into the future,” she said. She encouraged businesses not to just worry about their own eco-friendly practices, but also to hold their suppliers to high fair trade and sustainability standards, as Whittel has done with her company.

Whittel’s remarks were followed by those of Pam McDonald, owner of Pam MacD’s Gluten-Free Market, a dedicated gluten-free store located in Burbank, CA. She spoke about how “everyone has a gluten-sensitivity [to some extent]...It knows no gender or race.” McDonald covered how important gluten-free products are to so many Americans, and expressed her opinion that women in the natural industry from any market segment can make a difference by supporting gluten-free products.

Published by WholeFoods Magazine, May 2013