USA: Simply Organic celebrates 10th anniversary

Simply Organic celebrates it's 10th anniversary this year. Coinciding with this celebration, the company has surpassed the half-million-dollar contribution mark through a recent donation made to the Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES). Simply Organic’s One Percent Fund– SO1% – takes 1 % of net sales on all Simply Organic spices, seasoning mixes, baking flavors/extracts, and baking mixes, and uses it to support organic agriculture through education, research, and grower development. Additionally, a new YouTube video has been posted to highlight the major milestones of Simply Organic’s ten-year history, including key donations of the fund.
 

“The SO1% Fund is having a remarkable impact both domestically and internationally,” explains Kory Kazimour, senior brand manager for Simply Organic. “Every time consumers purchase a Simply Organic item, not only do they receive a high-quality product, but they’re also supporting important organic programs. Among them are sustainable farming apprenticeship programs, training on organic agricultural practices for farmers in India and Sri Lanka, and advocacy efforts for organic farming research in Washington, D.C.” (Picture: India tribal farmers receive organic agricultural training.)
 

Some of the recent contributions made with SO1% funds include a scholarship in perpetuity at the University of California, Santa Cruz, in the Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems apprenticeship program. In the mountainous regions of southwest India, tribal farmers grow a variety of crops on just a few hectares of land. The SO1% Fund donated nearly US$ 30,000 in 2009 to provide organic agricultural training to 790 farmers living in and around that region. Also invited to the training were members of the Kerala state and local governments, many of whom attended so they could gain a better understanding of organic agriculture and its benefits. Their response was positive, and additional governmental support of organic agriculture in the region is expected.
 

The most recent donation of $10,000 went to MOSES which supports farmers striving to produce high-quality, healthful food using organic and sustainable techniques. One way the organization accomplishes these goals is through its annual conference. From its humble beginning with 90 attendees 20 years ago, the 2011 conference in February attracted more than 2,600 farmers, advocates, educators, and community members. The conference features many superb farming-related workshops in conjunction with a vendor tradeshow and time for networking with other farmers.

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