New York Times on Clorox' Green Works

Maybe once again we expect too much from the media. But it seems like common sense that a piece in in today's New York Times in a section called Greening Business discussing Clorox' new Green Works line of soap and cleansers, would have to devote more than just give a mere passing mention to the company that started it all, here in the U.S., Seventh Generation.

To give you some context, the Times piece is equal to writing a story about the reconstruction of Europe in the 40's and 50's, and not mentioning that there was something called World War II that preceded it.

If you don't know about Seventh Generation check them out. We love this company. And if you're thinking of buying Clorox' Green Works, we recommend you use Seventh Generation's instead. Buying Green Works from Clorox is a bit like asking the guy who accidentally burned down your house a couple of years ago, to feed your dog while you're on vacation this spring. In other words, you might want to trust somebody else.

Of course, Clorox claims that they have finally made a product that is green and works well. Bull-dookey!! That's been going on for years, developed by companies like Seventh Generation here and Ecover abroad, who are more interested in triple bottom line ethics that care for more than just the numbers on a quarterly sales report.

While robustly diverse, with brands ranging from Kingsford Charcoal to Brita Water Filters, and most recently, Burt's Bees, the fact is Clorox has been faced with shrinking margins and while we like their new 'green' facelift, it doesn't mean we like their products.After all, don't forget the bleach that made the money that grew the company that bought Burt's Bees and that is now looking to exploit the mega-trend of sustainability through a commitment that has all to do with profits and little to do with principles.

Okay we've said enough. Maybe we're bitter because we know we could have written a much better piece. No, let's restate that. We are upset because we expect more from The Times.

Read the piece and let us know what you think.

Whole Foods Westport, Ct: Oysters and Ribeye at the Sampling Station

Well, we're not really ones to enjoy the free stuff that they hand out at sampling stations. Whether it's Costco or Trader Joe's or even the better than most stuff they offer you at Wegman's. Fact is we've been lucky enough to get so many free samples over a life working in the grocery business that it never really appealed to us. Plus most of the stuff just isn't that good.

That said, we know that, to put it frankly, customers are so often used to be treating like dirt, that the wisdom of giving away free samples, not only encourages purchases but even more importantly makes people feel a bit better about being consumers in this age when they expect most businesses stick it to them good and hard and without getting much of anything in return.

Well our sampling station boredom was transformed when we visited the Whole Foods in Westport, Connecticut where they were offering oysters and rib-eye steak from two sampling stations on a Saturday afternoon. We wish we didn't know the manager so we could have really chowed down without worrying about anyone there knowing us.

Any Wonder Obesity and Diabetes are Growing So Fast...Take A Look At Frozen Foods Sales, Ice Cream, Pizza Leading Segments

In case you still think that people can get all they need, nutrient-wise, from food, we suggest you start paying attention to what people are actually buying and eating, or more likely, stuffing down their gullets.

As reported in Meat and Poultry A.C. Nielsen sales data showed frozen foods sales totaled $36.9 billion in 2007, up 5% from the previous year. The sales figure represented 12% of U.S. food and beverage sales.

Oh yeah and taking third place were frozen dessert novelties, you know like popsicles and ice cream bars. To see the full, bloated, icy, details, go here. Free registration required.

Irwin Simon of Hain Celestial Fires Nspired Foods President

Unconfirmed word from Natural Products Expo West is that the day after the ink dried on the Hain-Celestial purchase of Nspired Foods, none other than Hain CEO Irwin Simon himself called the California Headquarters of Nspired to summarily dismiss CEO Gordon Chapple.

We're told he left that same day. Read more here .

Either way, there isn't anything really wrong with the move. After all, it is a new owner's prerogative, to make such decisions. However, given the conventional wisdom that a Hain purchase means a consistent and steady decline in sales, one is surprised that a new owner wouldn't utilize the experience of the acquired company's upper management.

This Explains Why We've Had G.W. For So Damn Long

Check it out. We're betting you'll laugh so hard you'll choke on your soymilk.


Diebold Accidentally Leaks Results Of 2008 Election Early

A Quiz

You can usually find me:

a) Shoplifting in the vitamin aisle at Whole Foods

b) Fondling artisan goat cheese at Whole Foods

c) Fondly my privates with EO Body Lotion at Whole Foods

d) Eating a Tofutti Cutie from the box and returning the package to the freezer section at Whole Foods

e) On the information superhighway calling people on their crap and acknowledging others for their principles.

The answer is e.

At least on our good days.

John Wayne Airport Renamed After Dr. Bronner

In a surprise move to coincide with the Natural Products Expo West, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to rename the John Wayne Airport after famous soapmaker Dr. Emanuel Bronner.

John Berendt's Kitchen---the guy actually makes his own meals...um sometimes.

In case you don't know John Berendt is the author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil which was on the New York Times bestseller list for over four years. I've had the pleasure of getting to know him, and frankly the man is gracious, charming, even sort of shy, and quite modest, especially for someone who made book history not to mention a big load of cash.

Well we were lucky enough to have John let us feature him and his vittles in the NaturalBusinessNews Celebrity Pantry .

Check it out and remember to shut the fridge door when you're finished.

Why I'm Here or

Several years ago I quit a great job at a company called SPINS. It had good benefits (insert sobbing sound here), with good co-workers and even four freaking weeks of vacation, but after eight years I realized I needed to do something more than make marketing muckety mucks able to track the sales of all their consumer packaged goods.

So I started a a website on the natural and organic products industry to acknowledge those companies that actually are doing more than just selling stuff and to raise a stiff middle finger, of the literary kind, to those who believe that just because they sell natural or organic means that they are doing something for the planet.

So I'll be posting items from the website and other news as well. We also have, if I do say so myself, a terrific a humor section .

In the meantime here is a quick test. You can usually find me:

a) Shoplifting in the vitamin aisle at Whole Foods

b) Fondling artisan goat cheese at Whole Foods

c) Fondly my privates with EO Body Lotion at Whole Foods

d) Eating a Tofutti Cutie from the box and returning the package to the freezer section at Whole Foods

e) On the information superhighway calling people on their crap and acknowledging others for their principles.

The answer is e. At least on our good days.

Clif Bar's CEO Gary Erickson Gets Industry Top Spot

Well it took us almost a year to relaunch the great new site design
NaturalBusinessNews and as part of that effort we just unveiled our list of the Natural and Organic Products Industry Top 50 Leaders.

For too long we've been the best written but least read site on the growing interest in this area and we're sure we've reversed that trend.

Okay so now back to the Top 50 list. There was some debate that Whole Food's John Mackey should get the top spot--he was number 2--or the even acquisition Irwin Simon of Hain Celestial Foods but we thought, hell those guys are operating in a business as usual format. What we mean is that Whole Foods revolutionized retail and now it is business as usual.

And Hain Celestial's Irwin Simon well he just acquires and acquires and although the companies make brands we like, he is about as innovative, as well, lets just say as putting up a Starbuck's in a shopping mall.

So hat's off to Clif Bar. They continue to expand their product line, with more and more organic items, and create ways to inspire people to change the planet. Seriously folks, that ain't just corporate bull.

And check out the list. We think you'll find it interesting, with some surprises along the way. Amy's Kitchen, Seventh Generation, Nature's Path, Solgar and some companies that you know are there and other folks who you don't know about but will want to.