Customers at GreenAcres Market are developing a love affair with Natierra’s Himalania Pink Salt, and why shouldn’t they? The salt comes from deep within the Himalayan Plateau, contains more minerals than regular salt and is 100% natural, unrefined and not marginalized by pollution and toxic chemicals. When added to food, pink salt does not increase blood pressure.
Another product our customers are becoming more aware of is Natierra’s line of Goji Berries, tiny berries GreenAcres often uses in its specialty trail mixes and smoothies. The berries are naturally sweet and are considered by the health food industry to be a superfruit and a natural source of Vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants. Our gluten-free customers and those that are vegan are particularly fond of Goji Berries. They sprinkle them on salads and toss them into homemade granolas, along with oats, flax seed, chia seeds and sunflower seeds.
If you’re a fan of alternative or integrative medicine, you’ve probably heard of Goji Berries. They’ve been used for more than 5,000 years in traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicines.
There’s one thing more that makes Natierra stand out: the company launched its “Feed A Soul Project” this month, announcing it will give one meal to a deserving child in Haiti, for each bag of Natierra Himalania Superfoods sold. And that warms our hearts at GreenAcres.
We love Fair Trade companies, and we honor those that give back.
Why Haiti? Apparently, on a sourcing trip to that country, Natierra founder and CEO Thierry Ollivier was moved by the dire living conditions compounded by years of natural disasters. One can read about these things half way around the world, but when confronted in person, it’s another matter altogether. Ollivier could not look the other way.
The majority of the Haiti population lives on a single dollar a day. The basic necessities of life such as food, shelter and education are elusive. Have you ever heard of “mud cookies?” They are called “Bon Bon Terres” in Haitian Creole, made out of mud and vegetable oil. Although they have no nutritional value, some people eat them to fill their bellies. This lets them forget hunger for a time.
Ollivier returned to home base with a mission: “We can do better than dirt.” And so the “Feed A Soul” project was born. Natierra’s goal is to give 1 million meals by 2018. The meals are distributed by Natierra’s partner, Convoy of Hope, a nonprofit organization that feeds tens of thousands of Haitian children. “Convoy of Hope is a faith-based organization with a driving passion to feed the world. It has a long history as an early responder in times of natural disasters and has been a Four Star Charity as recognized by Charity Navigator for 13 consecutive years. Convoy of Hope has served more than 80 million people since it was founded in 1994.”
It was decided the meals would be distributed in classrooms and will serve as the “carrot” to entice the children to attend school, “for education is the key source to empowering those to help themselves and give back to their country.”
“Natierra is a Fair For Life certified company committed to foster social progress and sustainable business through Organic and Fair Trade practices.” It is hoped the two organizations together will serve as a real catalyst for change.
You, as GreenAcres customers, can become part of that change by purchasing Natierra products.