How do you make the world a better place? For many, change begins close to home—as close, even, as the kitchen. We sifted through a bevy of innovative brands shaking things up in the natural food industry and picked five of our favorites that have women at the helm. These women are former nutritionists, stay-at-home moms, cancer survivors and environmental activists—and, now, business leaders of successful food brands.
Purely Elizabeth Granola
Nutrition consultant Elizabeth Stein, founder of Purely Elizabeth, based in Colorado, launched in 2009. Originally, Stein whipped up some baked goods as a way to attract visitors to her booth at the Westchester Triathlon. Her product line (made with gluten-free, vegan, organic and non-GMO ingredients) includes ancient grain, grain-free, and probiotic granolas as well as ancient grain muesli, oatmeal and cereal. Currently, Purely Elizabeth is the No. 1-selling granola in the natural channel.
The give back: As a B Corp, giving back is a at the heart of the company. Purely Elizabeth donates to non-profit organizations dedicated to the health of our planet such as Slow Food USA, Wellness in Schools, the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, Charity: Water and the Rodale Institute.
Try: Purely Elizabeth Probiotic Granola Gluten Free Maple Walnut, $5.00, vitacost.com
Go Macro Bars
In 2004, Amelia Kirchoff was diagnosed with breast cancer. She decided to fight the cancer with a macrobiotic, plant-based diet as an alternative to traditional treatment. During her battle with cancer, Amelia teamed up with her daughter to create the MacroBar recipe in her kitchen on the Wisconsin family farm. Since the brand’s launch in 2004, they’ve grown from selling MacroBars at local markets to national distribution of Go Macro brand in over 20,000 locations.
The give back: The company has designated three of their MacroBars as Give Back Bars with a portion of their proceeds going to the following community organizations: Feeding America, Solutions for Change, and the Farm Sanctuary.
Try: Go Macro Macrobar Almond Butter and Carob, $3 vitacost.com
G.H. Cretors Popcorn
This mother-daughter-owned company based in Waukegan, Illinois, is shaking up the popcorn world with their daring flavors. The company has roots in popcorn making that date back to the early twentieth century. “My great-grandfather invented the popped corn machine back in 1885, so G.H. Cretors is truly a family affair,” says Claire Cretors, president of Cornfields, Inc., which makes G.H. Cretors Popped Corn. Their popped corn products are free of artificial colors, flavors and preservatives.
Try: In spring 2016, they added two fresh and bold new flavors: Organic Dill Pickle and Organic Chile Jalapeño White Cheddar, the first of their kind to be certified organic. But if you like your popcorn plain, try G.H. Cretors Organic Popped Corn Extra Virgin Olive Oil, $3, vitacost.com
4th & Heart Ghee
Raquel Tavares, an Ashtanga yoga-lover, snowboarder, and foodie, was a former yoga studio-owner before she started tinkering with artisanal ghee in 2014. Tavares has taken ghee to new heights by adding flavors such as vanilla bean, serrano chili and Himalayan salt. She is the principal creator of Tava Organics, LTD, parent company of Fourth & Heart.
Try: Himlayan Pink Salt flavor is great for grilled cheese or for anything that requires a hint of salt. $10, vitacost.com
Glee Gum
Verve, glee gum’s parent company, is an independent, certified woman-owned business, dedicated to linking world communities and creating environmentally and socially responsible products. Verve is based in Providence, RI, in a newly rehabbed, solar-powered building. Glee Gum grew out of a trip that educator Deborah Schimberg and her family took to Northern Guatemala. They visited an economically depressed, chicle-producing community and learned all about chicle—the sap of the sapodilla trees that grow in the rainforests of Central America. The trip sparked their curiosity. When they got back to the states, they began experimenting with the tree sap and glee gum was born.
The give backs: Verve supports Trees for the Future, which helps to improve the livelihoods of impoverished farmers by revitalizing degraded lands. To empower the next generation, Verve also supports the Cloud Forest School, a bilingual school with an environmental focus in Monteverde, Costa Rica, and the Maya Intercultural University of Quintana Roo, a public university dedicated to social and economic development in the region of Quintana Roo and the Yucatan.
Try: Glee Gum All-Natural Chewing Gum Triple Berry, $1, vitacost.com
