Naturally Boulder’s 4th Annual Spring Fling was a smashing success - thanks to you.

We are reminded of the soaring entrepreneurial spirit of Boulder while surrounded by your amazing natural and organic endeavors.

A special and warm thanks to our volunteers and generous sponsors - this event could not have existed without you.

AROUND THE STATE

Vail Resorts Goes Organic

Vail Resorts, based in Broomfield, CO, announced this week that it will begin serving at its five resorts using natural and organic meats and dairy products from Colorado companies Coleman Natural Foods and WhiteWave Foods.

Letter from the Editor

Passages and Welcomes

With this letter, I’d like to acknowledge the passage of a Boulder natural products icon – Wild Oats Markets, and also welcome our new neighbor, Whole Foods Market.

A three-day festival held Sept. 28 - 30 at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons highlighted local producers and a “slow-food” dinner for 500. The Renaissance of Local Festival was produced by Boulder Going Local, the for-profit arm of Boulder Valley Relocalization, a council working to create stronger local-based economies. According to executive director Michael Brownlee, the event featured seminars, exhibits, food from local producers and a Slow Food Feast. For information visit www.bouldercountygoinglocal.com

U.S. natural products sales grew 9.7 percent in 2006 across all channels of distribution, reaching $56.76 billion in total sales, according to the Natural Foods Merchandiser, published by Boulder-based New Hope Natural Media. According to editor in chief Marty Traynor Spencer, total sales for the natural and organic industry increased 56 percent between 2002 and 2006. Leading growth categories included natural personal care (18.4 percent growth), natural pet products (15.1 percent growth), coffee and tea (23.3 percent growth), and nutrition bars (22 percent growth).

In a warning letter posted on FDA’s website in September, the FDA cited the Hain-Celestial Group regarding some of its Zingers to Go drink mixes. According to FDA, the powdered tea products contain stevia, a South American herb traditionally used as a sweetener and allowed for use in dietary supplements. However, FDA has not approved stevia for use in foods. According to a Celestial Seasonings statement, the FDA requested that the Zingers to Go packaging more prominently display the word “supplement” and remove any verbiage that could lead a consumer to believe the product is a food.

Organic and outdoor clothing pioneer Patagonia and Yoga retailer Prana both announced in September the openings of new retail locations on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder. Privately held Patagonia, based in Ventura, CA, and founded in 1972 by Yvonne Chouinard, has annual sales of $275 million. The store at 1212 Pearl Street will be the company’s 24th retail outlet. Prana, majority owned by fashion giant Liz Claiborne, will open its first brick-and-mortar retail store at 1147 Pearl Street in Boulder.

Naturally Boulder is launching its first market research study of the size and scope of the natural, organic and sustainable products market in Boulder, and is asking all area natural and organic products businesses to complete a survey. A summary of aggregated survey results will be provided free to survey respondents.

WhiteWave Foods founder Steve Demos unveiled his new business, Next Foods, at Natural Products Expo East in Baltimore in late September. The company, dedicated to developing and marketing products with scientifically proven nutritional benefits, launched its first product, Verb: Good Belly, a fruit-juice-based “shooter” containing a proprietary probiotic digestive aid. Future product plans include functional foods for the heart, brain and bones. According to the Daily Camera, Next Foods in the future hopes to establish a manufacturing facility in Boulder.

Aurora Organic Dairy President Mark Retzloff told Fortune Magazine in late September that charges that the company's products violated organics standards are unfair, and the company has threatened to sue its critics. After signing a consent agreement with the USDA in late August, Aurora reduced the size of its herd from 2,200 cows to 1,250, and increased its pasture to 400 acres from 325 acres at its Platteville, CO, dairy.