by Pat Ellis
Part of HWFC’s mission is to provide its members and community with affordable, high-quality natural food products, supplied with a focus on moral and ethical production and environmental stewardship. This goal necessitates building relationships with quality suppliers whose products meet those standards. In this issue of the Scoop we’re happy to highlight four companies we’ve partnered with for many years, because they have proven to meet those objectives and more.
Earthly Remedies by Erin specializes in Herbal Medicinal and Botanical skincare products. The company’s founder and chief herbalist, Erin Ethier, developed her interest in herbs as a teenager. When Ethier was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2002 and her son began simultaneously experiencing severe allergy issues, that interest turned into a vocation.
Ethier began making cleaning products, lotions, soaps, and bubble baths that she used in her home. She started creating her family's skincare products from botanicals and noticed that these nature-based, clean products seemed to resolve many of her son’s issues. Encouraged by the improvements, Ethier continued to study. As her knowledge increased, so did the variety of herbal medicines she formulated. In 2009, this journey led to the creation of Earthly Remedies by Erin.
Today, Earthly Remedies' product line is all-natural, organic, and locally made in Cobleskill, NY. The products include plant medicines, herbal tinctures, syrups, teas, salves, tooth powder, eczema creams, and dry shampoos. All products are 100% free of synthetic chemicals and mostly organic. Everything is made fresh and in small batches. The only animal-based ingredients are beeswax and honey sourced from a local farm.
When Skin Deep Naturals founder, Octavia Maxwell, was in elementary school, she struggled with dry skin and hair loss. Her inability to access natural-based products became the impetus for researching and formulating a line of natural, clean, skin and hair care products to meet her goal of making self-care accessible, intentional, and empowering for everyone. Maxwell believes that “caring for your skin and hair should never feel like a luxury but rather a basic, necessary act of self-respect.”
The company, located in Troy, NY, makes skincare products formulated with high-quality, natural ingredients like shea and mango butters. Oils, including apricot, almond, coconut, jojoba, and avocado, are blended as appropriate for the particular application. The products are designed for all skin types and are free from sulfates, parabens, and harsh chemicals.
Skin Deep Natural’s line of products includes whipped body butters, hair serums, clay masks, natural deodorants, facial /body scrubs, body oils, and a hair revitalizer containing mango butter, coconut oil, and raw honey that smells good enough to eat, although we advise against that!
Tierra Farms, a certified organic manufacturer and distributor of dried fruits and organic nuts, has a long association with HWFC. Initially, Tierra Farms, located in Valatie, NY, produced only organic vegetables. But in 1999, founder and CEO Gunther Fishgold established a dried fruit and organic nuts division as a means of sustaining the farm during the winter months.
That’s when the partnership between Honest Weight and Tierra Farm began. Fishgold remembers the first order Bob Linn (aka Bob from Bulk) placed for 20 cases of tamari almonds. Fishgold says he appreciates the co-op’s continued support over these 27 years.
Tierra Farms continues to grow and thrive as it sources high-quality nuts and seeds directly from farms. Today, its production includes dry roasting and flavoring seeds and nuts; grinding butters; blending trail mixes; and coating fruits and nuts in chocolate (some of my faves). They also roast fair-trade coffee beans. Production batches remain small and handcrafted to promote freshness and consistent quality. All products are gluten-free, peanut-free, kosher, and made without the addition of refined sugars and oils.
An impressive hallmark of Tierra Farms is theirits commitment to environmental stewardship. Tierra Farms offers more than 100 certified organic products in plastic-free, home compostable packaging, and has eliminated 98% of single-use plastic throughoutin their operation. Further, they generate over 70% of the electricity they use and recycle more than 60% of the generated waste.
Jean Argus’s vision of bringing the healing power of organic herbs, herbal teas, and tinctures to the local community was the foundation on which Jean’s Greens was established in 1989. At a time when organic and alternative healing practices were just beginning to gain attention, Argus became a pioneer in providing high quality, ethically-sourced herbs free from synthetic chemicals and pesticides.
Today, the company is owned by Nora Vallon-Burgos. Her experience as a nurse, coupled with her passion for natural healing, has allowed her to build upon that original vision to include the goal of making holistic health accessible to everyone, no matter their background, financial situation, or where they live.
Toward this vision, Jean’s Greens offers a large variety of organic herbs and spices, teas, tinctures, essential oils, and wellness goods. These products are selected to enhance self-care. Jean’s Green’s has a resident clinical herbalist, Corinne Ferry-Moselle, who is available to help on an individual's healing journey. Be sure to check out their website!