Bridgetown Mushrooms, RPG Coffee Launch Kind Coffee Cooperative
Bridgetown Mushrooms, renowned for its commitment to organic farming and sustainable practices, is partnering with RPG Coffee in launching the innovative Kind Coffee Cooperative. This unique collaboration, which also includes the involvement of the nonprofit kindness.org, brings to the market a coffee blend designed to support global kindness initiatives and research and promote well-being and environmental sustainability.
Kind Coffee Cooperative will introduce its on-the-go, mushroom-and-aloe-infused coffee for the first time to attendees of Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette, La., April 24-28.
The cooperative is a fusion of exceptional coffee craftsmanship and the healing power of nature, featuring RPG Coffee’s expertise in coffee blending, Bridgetown Mushrooms’ organic lion’s mane mushrooms, and the benefits of aloe. A portion of the proceeds from every sale will be donated to kindness.org to support research into the science of kindness, reflecting our collective dedication to making a positive impact on humanity.
Chris Capozzoli, CEO of RPG Coffee, shared his perspective: “Our collaboration with Bridgetown Mushrooms, incorporating their lion’s mane mushrooms into our coffee and structured aloe is more than just innovative—it’s transformative. The result is a coffee with a truly unique and delicious flavor profile that yields myriad health benefits. There’s nothing else quite like it.”
Rana DiOrio, chief product officer of Bridgetown Mushrooms, expressed excitement about the launch: “We are thrilled to launch our latest product at Festival International de Louisiane, an event that not only celebrates the vibrant spirit and power of global music but also embodies the very essence of community and kindness. This launch represents our commitment to fostering a healthier and kinder world, and we can’t wait to share it with you at Festival.”
Jaclyn Lindsey, CEO of Kindness.org, also shared her enthusiasm: “We are deeply honored to be a part of this initiative with RPG Coffee and Bridgetown Mushrooms. The Kind Coffee Co-Op is more than a beverage; it’s an embodiment of a shared commitment to fostering kindness and well-being across the globe. Each purchase contributes to our efforts to spread kindness through research and programs worldwide.”
For those looking to indulge in a unique coffee experience while contributing to a kinder world, pre-orders for Kind Coffee Cooperative™ are now available at www.choosekindcoffee.com. Enter the code FESTIVAL at checkout to receive 20% off your purchase through May 31.
Bridgetown Mushrooms is a leading producer of gourmet and functional mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest. The company cultivates an array of high-quality organic mushrooms, catering to both commercial enterprises and individual consumers. In addition to diverse mushroom offerings, they develop and distribute mushroom-based products throughout the nation. Bridgetown also provides a comprehensive range of mycology supplies, supporting the expanding needs of commercial mushroom farmers across the United States.
Real People Giving (RPG) Coffee is a distinguished, veteran-owned and operated enterprise that is making waves in the wellness industry. Specializing in the development of whole food ingredients-based supplements and exceptional coffee, RPG Coffee exemplifies a deep-rooted commitment to giving back. RPG generously allocates a portion of its profits to support nonprofits that resonate with its mission of promoting positive impact and community upliftment.
Kindness.org is a non-profit fueled by the belief that kindness is humanity’s greatest asset. Grounded in leading-edge research, kindness.org uses science to create solutions that help people everywhere build a kinder world.
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Whole Foods Market Names Supplier All-Star Awards of 2023
Whole Foods Market announced the recipients of its highly anticipated Supplier All-Star Awards for 2023. The 16 brands recognized exemplify excellence through quality, innovation, value, and sustainability, while enhancing the shopping experience in stores across the country and supporting Whole Foods Market’s purpose to nourish people and the planet.
This year’s awardees represent a diverse array of brands that have left an incredible mark on Whole Foods Market’s aisles, ranging from 4 to 40 years on the retailer’s shelves. As Whole Foods Market celebrates the 12th anniversary of these awards, it underscores the company’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating outstanding partners.
“We are proud to shine a spotlight on this committed group of suppliers and the remarkable contributions they’ve made to enriching our customer’s shopping experiences, advancing our purpose, and pushing the boundaries of excellence within the industry,” said Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, chief merchandising and marketing officer. “These suppliers embody the spirit of collaboration and innovation that Whole Foods Market was built upon more than 40 years ago. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s Supplier All-Stars for their well-deserved recognition.”
The recipients of the Supplier All-Star Awards are handpicked by a dedicated team of Whole Foods Market leaders, category experts, and merchants, spanning all departments and product categories, including Private Label, Produce, Specialty, Seafood, Meat, Grocery, Culinary, and Whole Body.
Whole Foods Market’s Supplier All-Stars for 2023 include:
– ALOHA
– Amylu Foods
– Atlantic Sea Farms
– Bridor
– Chelten House
– Dr. Bronner’s
– FoodMatch
– Forever Cheese
– Happy Dirt
– Health-Ade
– LaBelle Patrimoine
– Lundberg Family Farms
– Pacific Seafood
– Rainier Fruit Co
– Siete Family Foods
– Wölffer Estate Vineyard
Founded in 1980, Austin-based Whole Foods Market is the world’s leading natural and organic foods retailer and the first certified organic national grocer in the United States. Part of Amazon’s Worldwide Grocery Stores, Whole Foods Market serves customers in more than 530 stores across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. To learn more about Whole Foods Market, please visit https://media.wholefoodsmarket.com/.
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Braga to Receive Grower of the Year Award at OGS
The Organic Grower Summit presented by Western Growers and OPN will honor longtime organic grower Rod Braga as the recipient of the sixth annual Grower of the Year award. Braga, president and CEO of Braga Fresh, was selected based on his ongoing commitment and dedication to excellence in organic production, organic industry leadership, and innovation.
The Grower of the Year award, sponsored by AGCO, will be presented to Braga as part of the keynote presentation at the Organic Grower Summit on Nov. 29-30 in Monterey, Calif. The Grower of the Year presentation is part of an extensive educational program designed to inform and engage organic producers and their service providers and supply chain partners.
“We are honored to present the annual Grower of the Year award to Rod Braga — truly a grower’s grower,” said Matt Seeley, CEO of Organic Produce Network. “His decades-long work exemplifies what hardworking, passionate organic farming means to the success of Sledge, regional sales director for AGCO. Previous winners of the award have been Jeff Huckaby, CEO of Grimmway Farms (2022); Vic Smith, CEO of JV Smith Company (2021); the Lundberg Family (2019); Thaddeus Barsotti of Capay Organic (2018); and Vernon Peterson of Peterson Family Farms (2017).
The sixth annual OGS is designed to provide information vital to organic growers and producers, including an overview of the opportunities and challenges in the production of organic fresh food.
In addition to the annual Grower of the Year award, the other keynote presentation at OGS 2023 will be Grower Roundtable: The State of Organic Growing. Panelists for the keynote roundtable include leadership from three prominent organic companies, who will be announced later this month.
Other educational sessions slated for OGS 2023 include:
- SOE Deadline Looms — Are You Ready?
- Understanding Evolving Production Challenges for Organic Growers
- Regenerative — What Does it Mean for Organic?
- Unlocking the Value of AI on the Digital Farming Journey
- Meet the Ag Sharks
- Roadmap to a Sustainable Pest Management Future for Organics
- How Organic Growers Are Using Ag Tech: Obstacles & Opportunities
OGS 2023 will be held Nov. 29-30 at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, Calif., and general registration is open. The sold-out OGS trade show floor will feature soil amendment, ag tech, food safety, packaging, and equipment exhibitors who will have the opportunity to connect with organic field production staff, supply chain managers, pest management advisors, and food safety experts.
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