Supplement manufacturer New Chapter was one of the key donors in helping Nourish America provide $320K worth of nutritional products to Haitians in need. Since the earthquake hit Haiti in January, 300,000 people have died and almost 2 million people are homeless. The donation of close to 15,000 bottles of vitamins helped directly reduce the number of preventable deaths.

Earthbound Farm has established a new product innovation team and hired accomplished organic industry veterans Tracy Miedema, Alec McErlich and Peter LeCompte. Miedema, director of product innovation, previously led marketing and product development at Stahlbush Island Farms. Prior to that, she worked at Small Planet Foods. She also serves as vice-chair of the National Organic Standards Board. 

McErlich, the new director of farm supply, has more than 30 years experience in R&D of organic produce. At Small Planet Foods he spearheaded the organic R&D program, and he also led the organic vegetable program for Wattie Frozen Foods in New Zealand. He has also worked with university scientists and organic farmers to discover ways to improve organic farming methods, solve crop production problems, improve quality and lower costs.

LeCompte, director of global sourcing, has more than 20 years experience with organic growers throughout the world. He has served as sourcing manager for organics at General Mills and worked with Small Planet Foods/Cascadian Farm as well.

This summer, Season Harvest Foods, a supplier of bulk organic IQF and dehydrated ingredients, also added to their team, bringing in Mike Rachford as organic sales manager. Rachford has been in the organic ingredient supply business for over 13 years and formerly handled large account sales for Organic Herb Trade.