Chosen Foods Obtains B Corporation Certification
Chosen Foods, America’s #1 Avocado Oil and one of few on shelves that is guaranteed to be 100% pure, is certified as a B Corporation (B Corp). This accomplishment reinforces the brand’s commitment to a range of sustainable practices encompassing environmental performance, business standards, governance, community involvement and customer engagement.
To achieve B Corp Certification, companies must undergo a rigorous assessment process and meet a B Impact Assessment score of at least 80. Chosen Foods exceeded the requirements, demonstrating its years-long commitment to and presence of accountability and transparency through its mission-driven business.
“We’re honored to receive this certification as a proof point of our commitment to positively impacting people and our planet,” said Douglas MacFarlane, CEO. “From day one, we’ve been dedicated to building a responsible business through our better-for-you kitchen staples that replace bad fats with good fats from 100 percent pure avocado oil. Becoming B Corp Certified is an exciting milestone in recognition of these efforts and we’re proud to join the growing movement of companies working to create the positive change we need to see in the world.”
Chosen Foods considers the effects of its business and operational decisions on all its stakeholders (not just shareholders) to make a positive, material impact on society and the environment. As part of its business model for good and governing documents, the company has taken several key steps that led to it achieving B Corp Certification. These include:
- Using primarily bruised or damaged avocados that would otherwise end up in waste streams to make its 100% pure avocado oil.
- Thoroughly monitoring potential environmental impacts through regular visits to suppliers’ operations to ensure waste reduction practices and growing practices are aligned with Chosen Foods’ expectations and standards.
- Transforming any leftover matter from the oil extraction process into natural gas, animal feed, or fertilizer for farming purposes.
- Adhering to environmentally friendly purchasing procedures by routinely conducting packaging footprint assessments to review the environmental impact of packaging from conception through the sale of the product.
- Purchasing carbon offsets for all of Chosen Foods’ scope 1 and 2 emissions and a percentage of its scope 3 emissions.
- Facilitating a process of tracking all greenhouse emissions to ensure a cleaner business model and a safer planet.
Chosen Foods is dedicated to offering consumers better-for-you kitchen staples with its 100% pure avocado oil, ensuring the quality and purity of its products. By achieving B Corp status, Chosen Foods is committed to contributing to sustainable and economic system change while delivering products that are better for people and the planet.
Chosen Foods, America’s #1 Avocado Oil and Avocado Oil Spray, is always 100% pure, made with good fats from avocados, has a neutral taste, and is great for high-heat cooking (up to 500°F). Chosen Foods Avocado Oil is a versatile cooking staple and kitchen must-have that is great for general cooking, grilling, baking and more. The brand also makes additional pantry staples made with 100% pure avocado oil including: mayo, salad dressings, dip & drizzle sauces, and chocolate hazelnut spread. Learn more at www.chosenfoods.com/.
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Stonewall Kitchen Hires Horn as Chief Sales Officer
Leading specialty food, home goods and personal care producer Stonewall Kitchen has hired Brent Horn as its chief sales officer. Horn takes over for Kathy Gilbert, who will be retiring after an accomplished 27-year tenure with the company.
Horn joins Stonewall Kitchen with more than three decades of experience in the consumer goods industry, with Fortune 500 companies, including Kraft Foods, Henkel, Reckitt, and most recently the Bel Groupe where he served as Chief Growth Officer for the GoGo SqueeZ brand. With Bel Groupe, Horn was responsible for leading sales, marketing, supply chain and project management. During his four-year tenure, the brand recognized extraordinary growth.
“I want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Kathy for her unwavering dedication and instrumental role in shaping our company’s success and where we stand today,” Stonewall Kitchen CEO Carrie McDermott said. “I also want to welcome Brent to our team, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Stonewall Kitchen. We’re excited to see his contributions as we continue the growth and success of our family of brands.”
As part of Horn’s 33-year career, he served as head of sales for the French’s Food business, which was later acquired by McCormick. He was also General Manager for the club channel, responsible for the company’s growth strategy and key functions.
“I am thrilled to be joining Stonewall Kitchen and becoming part of its rich history,” Horn said. “I am committed to taking what has already been built and leveraging what I have been fortunate to learn over my career to help drive the growth of the company even further. I am honored to be a part of this team and look forward to making a positive impact together.”
Horn officially joined Stonewall Kitchen on May 13.
Stonewall Kitchen is a leading specialty food, home goods and personal care producer headquartered in York, Maine. Founded in 1991 by partners Jonathan King and Jim Stott, the two established the Stonewall Kitchen brand by selling jams and jellies at local farmers’ markets with a flavorful line of distinctive and high-quality products. Over time, they expanded the brand to include sauces, condiments, crackers and baking mixes, always focusing on innovative product development, beautiful packaging, and exceptional guest service.
Today, Stonewall Kitchen is the premier specialty food and home goods platform in North America, home to a family of premium quality brands including the flagship Stonewall Kitchen brand; the Michel Design Works brand of elegantly designed and crafted personal and home care products; the Vermont Coffee Company brand of high quality, non-GMO, certified organic coffee; the Urban Accents brand of globally-inspired spice mixes, seasonings, and sauces; the Village Candle brand of fragranced candles, gifts and accessories; the Tillen Farms brand of pickled vegetables and cocktail cherries; the Napa Valley Naturals brand of olive oils, culinary oils, balsamic vinegars and wine vinegars; the Montebello brand of artisan organic pasta imported from Italy; the Vermont Village brand of organic apple sauce and apple cider vinegars; and the Legal Sea Foods brand of restaurant-quality seafood sauces and condiments.
The company boasts distribution in more than 19,000 stores nationwide and internationally; a thriving catalog and online division; a café in York, Maine; and ten retail Company Stores throughout New England. As winners of 35 prestigious awards from the Specialty Food Association and the recipient of the coveted Outstanding Product Line honors three times, Stonewall Kitchen is proud to be one of the most awarded specialty food companies in the country.
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Green Life Farms Launches Updated, Recyclable Packaging
Green Life Farms, the leading controlled-environment agriculture grower in the Southeast United States, has launched new packaging, featuring a “peel and reseal” container style for its Sandwich Leaf and Butter Leaf, along with updated label designs for all products. All Green Life Farms packaging is made from 100 percent PET recyclable plastic which reflects the company’s commitment to quality, innovation, and environmental sustainability. By prioritizing sustainable packaging options, the company aims to minimize its environmental impact without compromising on its product integrity.
The new design, developed by Green Life Farms’ dedicated team of experts, utilizes 40 percent less plastic while extending produce shelf life. This advancement reduces environmental impact and minimizes food waste. In tandem with the development of the new container, the company also revamped its label design. The result is a sleek and modern design that highlights the flavor, freshness, and locally grown benefits of its products.
“We’re thrilled to introduce our new packaging design,” said Sarah Boone, director of marketing. “We are confident that our customers will love not only the new look but also the functionality of the new packaging, which enhances the freshness and flavor of our Florida-grown greens.”
Green Life Farms’ dedication to automation, environmental sustainability, and cost-efficiency is evident in every aspect of its operations. The introduction of this new packaging is just one example of the company’s ongoing efforts to innovate and lead the way in sustainable agriculture. By reducing plastic usage, extending shelf life, and ensuring recyclability, the company is making strides as an industry leader within the controlled agriculture industry.
Green Life Farms operates state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouses in Lake Worth and Punta Gorda, Fla. By incorporating agriculture with technology and focusing on food safety and local delivery, it provides consumers with fresh, tasty, and clean greens that are good for their bodies, families, communities and planet.
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