Organic Processing Magazine is happy to welcome Heather Larson as a contributing writer and editorial intern. Larson has worked in several realms of journalism including radio and online news and has written for several publications including VegNews.

Inc. Magazine ranked Sambazon No. 186 on its 26th annual Inc. 500 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. One of seven companies named in the food & beverage category, Sambazon harvests and markets products with acai– a very nutritious purple berry that grows in the Amazon rainforest.

Under the Canopy, manufacturer of organic and sustainable fashions for women and the home, has brought on a new CEO, Barbara Cavanagh, former vice president of product development for Saks Fifth Avenue Real Clothes Collection. Cavanagh will oversee all aspects of the brand, from design and global sourcing to maintaining strict organic and sustainable manufacturing standards, marketing and strategic alliances.

Edward & Sons Trading Co. recently announced that it has added Road’s End Organics to its family of organic, gluten-free and vegetarian specialty foods.

Clarkson Soy Products LLC announced the completion of a major plant expansion of their Organic Soy Lecithin processing line at the American Natural Soy facility in Cherokee, IA.

Paul Hepperly, Ph.D., a world-renowned authority on organic agriculture and the research and training manager at the Rodale Institute, has been honored as a recipient of a Fulbright Scholar Award. As part of this he will work with research scientists, educators, students and farmers to develop programs to assist the development of organic agriculture in Uruguay.

Numi Organic Tea recently opened an enchanted Tea Garden in Oakland’s Embarcadero Cove. Guests can enjoy Numi’s full selection of loose tea as well as a menu of light snacks. The Tea Garden also offers a retail store, a music lounge and community events.

Pure Design has changed their name to Pure Branding to better represent the services they offer including brand identity, brand packaging and other branded communication.

A.M. Todd announced the acquisition of a 50,000 sq. ft. building on 5.5 acres north of downtown Cincinnati. Sales, administration, customer service and operations from the former Moore Ingredients site will be transferred to the new organic-certified location.