Greg Steltenpohl, Eli’s father, was the Founder of Odwalla and Califia Farms.He passed in March 2021.
The new grant was announced at Natural Products Expo West, when Greg Steltenpohl was honored at the Community Purpose and Impact Awards presented by New Hope Media. It seeks to encourage and support innovators building a more positive, plant-centric food system.
“The Natural Products industry lost one of our most visionary, creative, and passionate advocates when Greg died, and it is essential that we keep his mission and work on track,” said Gary Hirshberg, Co-founder of Stonyfield and a 30-year friend. “Greg believed in the ability to create positive change through business, and in the impact the plant-based movement could have on the health of people and the planet. He left us far too early, but also in a far better and more hopeful place thanks to his powerful vision, dedication and inventive spirit.”
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The Award will be presented annually in March at Natural Products Expo West, and is hosted in collaboration with The Plant Futures Initiative, a non-profit social venture that connects college and graduate students with learning opportunities within a network of food and agricultural enterprises. Information on how to apply can be found atpragmaticvisionaryaward.org.The Steltenpohl Family Foundation and Califia Farms provided anchor funding. Award Co-founders and Advisors include:
- Mike Burbank – Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
- John Foraker – CEO, Once Upon a Farm; former CEO, Annie’s Homegrown
- Kiff Gallagher – Former VP Corporate Affairs, Califia and Strategic Comms, Odwalla
- Nina Gheihman – Author; co-founder, Plant Futures Initiative
- Amy Goldsmith – CMO, Halo Healthy Tribes; former president, GK Communications
- Sonia Hendricks – SVP Sales, Califia Farms
- Gary Hirshberg – Co-founder and former CE-Yo, Stonyfield Organic
- Will Rosenzweig – Founder, Republic of Tea; Director, Sustainable Food Initiative, , Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley; Co-founder, Plant Futures Initiative
- Kenneth Sadowsky – Director, Hint, Vita Coco, LIFEAID; Sr. Advisor, Verlinvest; “Beverage Whisperer”
- Eli Steltenpohl – Steltenpohl Family Foundation, Board of Directors, Califia Farms
- Jessica Vitale – Co-founder, Crafted Communications, PR for Califia Farms
