Natural Products Expo West

Last weekend I went to the 29th annual Natural Products Expo West. Expo West is the largest trade show of its kind housing approximately 2,000 exhibitors (this year drawing 54,000 attendees), where retailers come to see what companies, or products are new to the natural products and eco-friendly market (caution – not everything there is so natural and healthy). A place where deals and negotiations are taking place in every corner, old friends get to see each other and parties are happening … kind of like the stock market floor on a good day. For me it is four days of non-stop networking, walking, learning and playing … gotta love my job.

The weekend always starts off with the Organic Farmers Research Foundation’s (OFRF) meet and greet luncheon. The OFRF is a non-profit organization that sponsors organic farming research and education projects, disseminates the results, and educates the public and policymakers about organic farming issues. Chef Donna Prizgintas, took a bow for 12 years of service to the luncheon, as she presented (with the help of other notable chefs) a true southern treat complete with sage roasted ham, fried chicken (not a vegetarian’s delight), grits, biscuits with gravy, and my favorite dessert, strawberry shortcake with rose geranium chantilly.

Farmer Dave Christensen was this year’s grant recipient, who give a brief keynote on breeding organic corn seed, and his life's work developing Painted Mountain Corn. He laughed as he spoke about the indigenous peoples advice for him to sing to his corn, and admitted to at least having good conversations with it. I ran into several old friends at the luncheon including Chef Susan Teton a true advocate for children’s healthy nutrition, green living and holistic lifestyle expert Anna Getty (beautifully pregnant), and Christopher Gavigan, Executive Director and CEO of Healthy Child, Healthy World – as we discussed a continuing partnership between HCHW, Whole Children, Whole Planet and Eco Family News.

In the days that followed, I ran into Peggy O’Mara with Mothering magazine, where we briefly caught up while washing hands in the rest room at the Marriot, Maxine Wolf with KIWI magazine – we had a great conversation about setting a new healthy standard for kid’s nutrition, Kim Walls, MS, CEO of Episencial and Laryn Callaway, Founder and CEO of Organic Bistro makers of a healthy frozen gourmet meal for families on the go.

Peas of Mind launched their new veggie wedgies, which are pretty tasty and aren’t even on their website yet. I was introduced to the Wysi cloth, a biodegradable 100% natural pulp fiber cloth that is really absorbent and compact for travel – one of these touch to water and it grows type products … cool. Organic Essence introduced a new concept ... eco-friendly lip care stick and shea cream (a mixture of natural ingredients) both in biodegradable containers … I mean the most earth friendly packaging yet … a must to check out. I was supposed to do an interview with Scott Cecil, President and Founder of Save Your World (whose mission is to help save the rainforest, one Product = one Acre of Rainforest Saved for One Year), but misplaced my tape recorder … oops – it was a really technically challenging day. After a previous interview the tape recorder wouldn’t turn off, and while walking by the Green Mountain Gringo booth – the best chips and salsa ever – Carl Lill tried to help me with the recorder, but I ended up erasing all the previous interviews … oh well. Good thing I have a fantastic memory and I was able to jot down all pertinent info taped … lol … Back to Save Your World … they were launching their new yerba mate/aloe Save Your Hair® color-safe shampoo and conditioner, which looks like a great addition to their full line of other organic body and personal care products, that smell naturally divine. Watch for a feature on them in a future issue of EFN. While I haven’t tried their new shampoo and conditioner, I did try Nature’s Baby, the company’s president Adena Surabian, put a sample of their baby shampoo and conditioner in my hand while I was cruising by, which I did try, and to my surprise, I have fallen for a new product – who knew that a baby line would meet my snobbish standards and capture my hair’s affection.

While there were hundreds of amazing products and companies that caught my attention (in addition to the ones above) here are a few of my favorites: www.kettlecuisine.com (sugar and gluten free soups and Feingold approved – I had lunch at their booth more than once), www.firstjuice.com (great idea to put organic fruits and veggies together … sneaky), www.nelliesallnatural.com (natural laundry, dishwasher and dryer products), www.bratdiet.org (B.R.A.T. – an acronym, a gluten free soothing beverage from bananas, rice, applesauce and toast), www.sensiblefoodscom (yummy organic crunchy dried veggie and nut snacks), www.pukkaherbs.com (fabulous herbal tea blends), www.ecobambooware.com (made from sustainable bamboo), www.juniperridge.com (finally a truly natural incense),  www.funkymonkey.com (kid delicious crunchy fruit snacks), www.fruit-66.com/news.html (breaking down barriers into the schools), www.greenfuji.com (while they are not rechargeable, they are cadmium, mercury and pvc free – yea), www.preserveproducts.com (keeping toothbrushes and razors out of landfills), www.greehearts-us.com (creating healthy bbq’s with carbon neutral charcoal briquettes), www.onewithnature.com (have some of the most incredible smelling soaps), and www.plantlife.net (fun pamper stuff) – stay tuned for more news on all of these folks, and others in the future.