Whole Foods brings international organic supermarket to Ottawa
Posted - February 14, 2011
Whole Foods brings international organic supermarket to Ottawa
By Kelly Roesler
Whole Foods Market, the world’s largest retailer of natural and organic foods, with stores throughout North America and the United Kingdom, has announced it will open a location in Ottawa, Canada`s capital.
Ottawa lies in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario on the Ottawa River, and with a population of more than 1.2 million, is the fourth-largest urban area in Canada.
The new Whole Foods store, located in the Glebe neighbourhood along Bank Street, will be a part of Lansdowne Park, a historic site that is undergoing a new, mixed-use redevelopment that will include a revamped stadium for soccer and football games amid a bustling cluster of shops, cinemas, restaurants, condominiums, townhomes and green space.
Sweden’s largest certifier becomes Kiwa Aranea
Posted - February 11, 2011
Sweden’s largest certifier becomes Kiwa Aranea
Sweden’s largest farming certification company, Aranea Certifiering, with almost 70% of all KRAV (Sweden’s organic standards and certification association and label) audits and giant of Swedish food certification changed its name to Kiwa Aranea from December. “We are now a part of the European Kiwa and offer certification in more areas than before, including food safety and climate, among other things,” said Christian Nyr
Anaheim hosts largest USA industry event, March 10-13
Posted - February 11, 2011
Anaheim hosts largest USA industry event, March 10-13
Natural Products Expo West, the world’s largest natural and organic products trade show, returns to the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California on March 11-13 (Friday to Saturday). The Education and Events part of Expo West is held March 10-13. Last year record attendance was set for the event with a 5% growth in industry attendance. Organizers New Hope Media said nearly 56,000 people attended Natural Products Expo West/SupplyExpo in 2010, the 30th anniversary of the event that united entrepreneurs and established natural products alumni indicating a healthy market outlook for growth.
Co-located with the Supply Expo, the Nutracon conference, Fresh ideas organic marketplace and the Healthy Baking Seminar, Natural Products Expo West/SupplyExpo features more than 3,400 booths displaying a wide variety of products and services, an up-to-date education program from the industry’s top innovators, and important networking and social events.
Organizers New Hope Media said it is confident that this is the best place to discover the newest products and latest trends to help your business. Product Pavilions include Health & Beauty, Natural & Specialty Foods, Natural Living, Organic, Pet Products, and Supplements. Preview the New Products Showcase located in the Anaheim Convention Center lobby in front of Halls A, B and C to see the latest new product offerings in a dozen categories.
The Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace is an additional show, held Thursday, March 10, 2011 12:30 - 5:30 p.m. at the big white tent at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel, Anaheim. The organizers said all products being displayed must be certified organic and that the event allows exhibitors to get face-to-face with organic buyers. The Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace is the only tradeshow space open on Thursday, so buyers have ample time to really get to know your product. Look up the Natural Products Expo West website for full details of all events: www.expowest.com
Nordic Natural’s new HQ built to LEED Green principles
Posted - February 11, 2011
Nordic Natural’s new HQ built to LEED Green principles
Nordic Naturals announced in early February the opening of its new corporate headquarters in Watsonville, California registered with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project. The LEED Green Building Rating System
Hain Celestial acquires Danival Bio; UniqueFiber AS
Posted - February 11, 2011
Hain Celestial acquires Danival Bio; UniqueFiber AS
Nasdaq-listed The Hain Celestial Group, Inc, a leading United States natural and organic products company with US$1.050bn in sales in 2010, announced two acquisitions in Europe in early February: Danival SAS, a manufacturer of certified organic food products with facilities in France, and GG UniqueFiber AS, a manufacturer of all natural high fiber crackers in Norway.
Danival’s product line includes over 200 branded organic sweet and salted grocery, fruits, vegetables and delicatessen products distributed in France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom. Danival’s products are certified organic by Ecocert and bear the Agriculture Biologique AB organic farming label.
“The strategic acquisition of the Danival(R) branded organic product line complements the organic food line of our Lima(R) brand in Europe where organic products have experienced double digit growth in recent years,” said Irwin D. Simon, president and CEO of Hain Celestial. “We’re excited about the opportunity to grow our global brands, including Lima, Celestial Seasonings(R) teas and Terra(R) chips in France by leveraging the manufacturing, marketing and sales infrastructure of Danival. We expect to expand Danival’s product lines into other channels of distribution in the European Union, the US and Asia.
“Joining together with Lima and Hain Celestial should allow us to strengthen Danival in our historical market, organic food shops in France, while allowing us to develop sales of our products in other organic markets in Europe and abroad. It’s very positive for Danival,” said Thomas Breuzet, CEO of Danival. Danival is a subsidiary of the Viva Sante Group, a European OTC healthcare company. Danival generated approximately $20 million in sales in calendar year 2010.
GG UniqueFiber produces branded natural grain products including GG(TM) Scandinavian Bran Crispbread, Oat Bran Crispbread and GG UniqueFiber(TM) FiberSprinkle(TM), which are distributed in the US, the EU and Norway. The products are manufactured using Norwegian wheat, which is known for its unique, hearty high fiber bran content. “We’re excited to acquire GG(TM) crackers, a truly unique bran product that’s an excellent source of dietary fiber. GG UniqueFiber broadens Hain Celestial’s offerings in this expanding category, as dietary fiber may help manage weight and maintain healthy cholesterol to support cardiovascular function for overall good health,” Mr Simon said.
San Francisco Sustainable Summit’s successful forum
Posted - February 11, 2011
San Francisco Sustainable Summit’s successful forum
The third edition of the Sustainable Food Summit organized by Organic Monitor, held at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco, January 18-19 was a successful event and provided around 200 participants an opportunity to learn, discuss, brainstorm and network in a relaxing and warm atmosphere. Attendees were mainly entrepreneurs and senior executives in the food industry, consultants, authors and media.
The Summit explored the impact of Organic, Rainforest Alliance and Fair Trade eco-labels in the global food industry and new horizons in sustainability for eco-labels. Thirty speakers offered their insights and experiences during the four sessions on successful sustainability initiatives, ethical sourcing of sustainable ingredients, green marketing and innovative distribution systems.
Speakers included Seth Goldman, co-founder and president Honest Tea; Theresa Marquez, chief marketing executive Organic Valley; Angus Flood Executive VP, Wisdom Natural Brands, Joseph McIntyre, president AG Innovations Network, Shel, Horowitz, author Green & Profitable, and Fernando Alonso, sustainability manager, Native Organic Products.
Increasing availability of organic private label products has allowed many consumers to choose less expensive alternatives to national brands. Chains such as Whole Foods and Earth Fare already offer extensive private label organic programs. Participants at the Summit learned and discussed the roles of brands and retailer private labels, the future of these labels, how to measure sustainability and how to improve key areas such as packaging.
Organic Monitor is planning the European edition of the Sustainable Food Summit June 23-24 and the next North American edition next year, January 17-18.
Euro-nat (Ekibio) and Biodiversity’s major organic alliance
Posted - February 11, 2011
Euro-nat (Ekibio) and Biodiversity’s major organic alliance
A merger between French organic groups Ekibio and Biodiversity brings two family companies and pioneers of organic and major players in their respective markets together after Ekibio group (Euro-nat and other subsidiaries) signed a merger agreement with Compagnie Biodiversit
