Vegan Food Companies (incl. Chocolate)
A Spotlight on Vegan Companies and Business
by M. 'Butterflies' Katz
Other Categories:
Vegan Food Companies (incl. Chocolate):
Harb Chocolate Corporation markets only certified vegan products which look simply incredible! The company owner is vegan and has been vegan for 9 years. The entire staff is vegan, as well. They have been in business for 3 years offering 5 products: Peanut Butter Cup, Caramel Pecan Cup, Chocolate Peppermint Cream, Coconut Pecan Joy, and Peanut Butter Protein Cup. Sharif Harb started the business because she felt there was a lack of vegan desserts out there. After she became vegan, she always craved something sweet. She missed the traditional non-vegan candies so began experimenting on how to turn them vegan. She came up with several recipes and then formed her own business.
Harb Chocolate Corporation is located at:
3716 Walker Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37917.
Phone: (865)216-2559
Fax: (865)688-9244
Web site: www.harbchocolate.com
E-mail: info@harbchocolate.com
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Vegan Dream was incorporated in 1988. They sell 3 flavors of vegan, non GMO soy jerky. The CEO saw the need for a vegan jerky in the marketplace that was actually tasty and better than beef jerky. Vegan Dream is excited about offering a great tasting jerky that is both healthy and earth-friendly.
Located in Humboldt County, Arcata CA.
Phone: (707) 826-1101
Web site: www.vegandream.com
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Turtle Island, makers of Tofurky, offer completely vegan products using non GMO ingredients. They are located in the heart of the Cascade Mountains, about an hour east of Portland, Oregon. Their plant, in Hood River Oregon, is on the Columbia River, approximately 30 miles from Mt Hood, elevation 11,234.
Seth Tibbott, the company president is a thirty year vegetarian. He has been vegan for periods of time throughout this time. Currently he is usually vegan. Seth started making tempeh and branched out into the famous Tofurky when he recognised a need for a vegan main course at holiday meals. Seth's vegetarianism has always been rooted in environmentalism.
Quoting their web site: "We make our products in small batches using only the finest organic and natural ingredients. No preservatives, MSG, or other artificial ingredients are added to our products. Our goal is to supply the residents of "Turtle Island" with meatless food products that are delicious, nutritious, convenient and affordable. And, since 1980 we have been doing just that! At Turtle Island Foods, our products are designed to promote the health and vitality of both the people and the ecosystems of our "island" home. The name "Turtle Island" comes from a common Native American legend and it is their name for the North American continent....." The company produces a line of organic tofu based faux meats in the form of: sausages, deli- slices, holiday products such as mock turkey, the best tasting tempeh, and super burgers; all very popular vegan meat alternatives because of the excellence of their products.
Phone: (541) 386-7766
Web site: www.tofurky.com
E-mail: info@tofurky.com
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The Ultimate Meal markets only vegan products. The owner, Sam Gerard, is a staunch vegan of 24 years. All his staff is vegan. He's been in business 24 years. He offers the world these fine products:
- The Ultimate Meal & MealBar - The name says It all - The ultimate combination of the best SuperFoods & Anti-Oxidants on Earth.
- The Ultimate FloraZyme - The best of two worlds - The ultimate combination of the best Pre-Biotic & Digestive Enzymes on Earth.
- The Ultimate Defense - Anti-Oxidant Perfection - The ultimate combination of the best Anti-Oxidants on Earth.
- The Ultimate Blue-Green - 100% Organic Spirulina - The ultimate Algae on Earth.
- The Ultimate Sweetener - 100% Birch Sugar - The ultimate sugar alternative (even for diabetics) on Earth.
- The Ultimate Water Purifier - The ultimate on Earth.
- The Ultimate Shower Filter - The ultimate on Earth.
1980 . . . Pink Floyd . . . Animals album . . . the song: Sheep. After reading the lyrics of that song while listening to it, Sam Gerard became an ethical (though junk eating) vegetarian that night. Nine months later, he became a health fanatic Vegan. Soon after (being a perfectionist), he started making his own superfood concoction. Within 1 year, his serious hobby forced him into treating it as a bonafied business. The rest is history, accomplished without multi-level-marketing, big profit margins, company reps, distributors, brokers, or advertising. Just fiercely loyal customers and unprecedented word of mouth.
The Ultimate Life is located in Santa Barbara, CA.
Phone: 800-THE-MEAL (843-6325) or (805) 962-2221
E-mail: vegans@Ultimate Life.com
Web site: www.UltimateLife.com
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Turtle Mountain, LLC has been in business for 17 years, and all U.S. vegans are happy about that! They are the producers of Organic So Delicious ice cream, Purely Decadent ice cream. L'il Buddies, Sweet Nothings frozen treats, etc. Turtle Mountain began as a one-man operation by its founder CEO/President Mark Brawerman (who is not a vegan). As a consumer of healthy food alternatives Mark saw a growing need for products that tasted like their dairy counter parts but contained no dairy ingredients. Working on his own, Mark began to develop a series of non-dairy frozen desserts. Through considerable trial and tribulation Turtle Mountain was born. From the onset, Mark's vision was to provide consumers with only the best tasting products that Mother Nature could provide. His dream was to build a business that would be recognised as a leader in non-dairy alternatives.
Since 1990 Turtle Mountain has specialized in the creation and production of dairy-free frozen desserts. In the mid 90's it became clear that Turtle Mountain had a strong following of vegetarians and vegans alike. In recognition of their loyalty and enthusiasm for Turtle Mountain's products, Mark pushed to insure all products produced by Turtle Mountain were completely animal-free; a commitment that remains strong to this day.
A comment from Turtle Island "Although we are recognised first and foremost by our products we are perhaps most proud of our contribution to the environment. As a sponsor of the Sea Turtle Restoration Project (STRP) we provide much needed funds to help save the ever-shrinking habitats of sea turtles. Our dream is to one day hear that the populations of the many endangered species of sea turtles have stabilised and are on the rebound. Until then we will make every effort to help the people at STRP fight to save the wonderful creatures."
Turtle Mountain, LLC is located at P.O. Box 21938 or
330 Seneca Rd., Eugene, OR. 97402
Phone: (541) 338-9400
Website: www.turtlemountain.com
E-mail: info@turtlemountain.com
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Yachana Gourmet markets only vegan products. The company owner and staff are not vegan. The majority of the staff is Ecuadorian (only the owner and 1 staff member are North American) and veganism is not generally understood nor recognised in Ecuador. The company has been in business since 2000 and they offer: Yachana Jungle Chocolate with Pineapple (tasty chocolate nibs toasted to perfection and mixed with chunks of tangy dried pineapple), Yachana Jungle Chocolate with Macadamia Nuts (coarsely ground chocolate beans and loads of smooth macadamia nuts), Yachana Jungle Chocolate with Brazil Nuts and Essence of Coffee (crushed chocolate beans and hearty Brazil nuts covered in coffee essence), and Yachana Jungle Chocolate with Raisins and Coconut (lightly roasted chocolate bits and shredded coconut mixed with sweet raisins). The company was started to be a catalyst for the commercialization of cacao from the Ecuadorian Amazon. "The idea is to add value to the cacao (the term cocoa is used once it is processed) here in Ecuador so that the income from the processes stays in this country and help the farmers. I think it's important to mention that our work helps support the rainforest conservation programs of FUNEDESIN. FUNEDESIN buys rainforest to help protect the habitat of people and animals of the area. Also, Yachana Gourmet only works with small cacao farmers, who grow their cacao in the shade, we do not support mono-crop, plantation style production of cacao which destroys animal habitat and creates erosion and rainforest destruction," explains Laura McCurry; Yachana Gourmet's Sales and Marketing Manager.
Location: Quito, Ecuador
Phone: (593 2) 2237133 / Cell Phone: (593 9) 6115770
E-mail: laura@yachanagourmet.com
Web site: www.yachanagourmet.com
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Freezees Nutcreem makes only vegan, nut-base frozen dessert. For those wanting a non-soy based frozen dessert, they are a dream come true. Freezees Nutcreems are a delicious healthy vegan alternative, and I speak from experience! The company owner is growing towards veganism and none of the staff is vegan. They have been in business for 15 years. The products they offer are: No Butter Pecan, Vanilla, Strawberry, Fudgee Fudge Carob and Peanut Caramel Carob in pint containers. The novelties come in these flavors: Sweedee Pies: Crispee Cashew, Crispee Pecan and Crispee Fudge Carob. When Jimmy Nutcreem discovered he was allergic to ice cream, one of his favorite foods, Jim and his wife, Soon Chin, turned the problem into an opportunity. They invested their life savings and developed Freezees Nutcreem, a non-dairy frozen dessert.
Freezees hit the West coast market in May of 2000. Since then, their growth has been dramatic. "Why? Because we believe, you'll agree, it's the world's #1 and nuttiest ice cream alternative!" say the owners. Soon Chin Rauls is the marketing manager for Freezees Nutcreem, located at P.O. Box 410, Chino Valley, AZ 86323
Phone: (928) 636-9419
Fax: (928) 636-1216
E-mail: soonchin@freezees.com
Web site: www.freezees.com
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Spice of Life Meatless Meats sells only vegan products. The owner is Spice Williams, actress and stuntwoman, who has been a vegan for 30 years and is a fine example of physical fitness. All the staff is vegan. The company has been in business for 13 years. They produce jerky made from defatted soy flour, Bragg Liquid Aminos, sunflower oil, and natural spices. Spice of Life Meatless Meats are wheat-free, cholesterol-free, high in fiber and protein, and have the look, taste and texture of a wide range of meats. Absent are the animal drugs (sterols, antibiotics, hormones, etc.), and high concentrates of agricultural chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, etc.), and other animal waste residues that make meat and dairy consumption so unhealthy. Spice Williams Crosby (her husband is the oldest grandson of singer Bing Crosby) became vegan at age 26.
When asked why she chose to become vegan: "I had my 3rd drug and alcohol overdose and made up my mind to turn my life around. I took my medicinal knowledge and searched for a truth. I was a treatment nurse, medical transcriber and grew up in a medical world on a ranch with lots of meat and dairy. The American Way!!! I knew I had to go into the truth of the body and find out biochemically why I had a weight problem, health problems, skin problems, etc. However, how I was eating and living my life, I knew wasn't working. So I took my blinders off and went for it. I then stumbled across a book called Food Combining by Herbert Shelton and my concept of food and life totally turned around. I began to study digestion time and realised that animal flesh and diary was rotting and putrefying in my gut lining. Pleasant thought, Uh? As I began to eliminate the foods that took the longest, I took on a lifestyle of eating that changed my body and my sense of well-being. One day, someone asked me what I eat. I told them and they began to tell me I was a vegan! I replied, 'A what?' I had no idea I had transformed myself into something that actually had a name for it. Then I was asked if I chose this lifestyle for health or for love of animals. I had never really thought of why, but the time of my change, it was purely for health. However, the cleaner my body became, the evidence of not wanting to participate in the killing of animals became extremely apparent and now I know it's for both reasons."
She continues, "Not only do I feel better, but safer. I talked to many people every week who are dealing with cancers, auto immune diseases and feeling bad, over weight, headaches, hormonal imbalances etc. I don't have to worry about any of that stuff. I feel clean and safe." Another thought she had, "I died in a car accident when I was 18 years old. I went towards the light and saw people and animals. How dare we take an animal's life! Think about it...when we kill animals, we TAKE their life away. Who died and made us God? We are ignorant and full of excuses for doing this. I will have no part of this action of man."
In conclusion Spice reminds us, "Remember, a picture is worth a 1,000 words and the first thing I'm always told is 'you don't look like a vegan!' Well, that's because, most vegetarians or vegans don't do it right and don't look healthy! I'll be 48, April 26, 2000 and I was kickboxing and lifting weights the day my water broke 5 years ago. I try to live my life with using all my knowledge to guide me to make the right choices. If you change to a very healthy lifestyle and you set an example of love, and high energy then the world will come to you asking you the same question they ask me...'What do you eat that makes you look so healthy, full of energy and strong?' I just smile and proudly say, 'I'm a VEGAN!' Stay strong and Sweet" Spice Williams-Crosby.
Web site: www.Spice-Of- Life.com
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ZenSoy products are all certified vegan and organic. The owner and staff are not vegan, though. The company has been in business since 1999. They manufacture and distribute soy milks (plain, vanilla, chocolate, and cappuccino) and refrigerated puddings in assorted flavors that come in a fun unique packaging. The owner, though he is not vegan, was a visionary in that he saw the need for more soy products and then created wonderful tasting/consistency soy milk and soy pudding. ZenSoy is a family owned business located at 21 Empire Blvd., S. Hackensack, NJ. 07606
Phone: (201) 229-0500
Web site: www.zensoy.com
E- mail Cheryl Surana (Marketing Manager): cheryls@dorasnaturals.com
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Maine Coast Sea Vegetables sells only vegan products. The company owner is vegan for 32 years. About 20% of the staff is vegan. The company has been in business for 35 years and they won a Socially Responsible Business Award in 2004. They sell whole and milled, certified organic dulse, kelp (N. atlantic kombu ), alaria (N. Atlantic wakame), laver (wild nori), and sea lettuce. In addition, they offer Kelp Krunch energy bars, seaveggie flavored corn tortilla Sea Chips, and 6 varieties of spice shaker Sea Seasonings.
Shep Erhart, the owner, tells us how the business came to be: "In 1971 my wife and I were eating expensive Japanese seaweed on our macrobiotic diet. We saw something at low tide that looked good, so we started harvesting just for us at first. Then our friends wanted some and one thing has led to another, slowly and organically. In 1974, we stopped eating all animal food as part of a spiritual commitment to do the least amount of harm as possible. Our daughter was born that year and was raised vegan and still is at 32."
Located at: 3 Georges Pond Rd., Franklin ME. 04634
Phone: (207) 565-2907
Fax: (207) 565-2144
Web site: www.seaveg.com
E-mail: shep@seaveg.com
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Smoke and Fire tofu line, is an all-vegan wholesale manufacture of 5 flavors of marinated, smoked tofu. The company owner is not currently a practicing vegan. Mona Young was a co-founder of the original company (Smoke & Fire Natural Foods, Inc.). She is the founder of the new company; Heaven Earth Foods, Inc. which has taken over from Smoke & Fire. The smoke and firebrand has been manufactured continuously since 1994. Product is widely available up and down the east coast and is just being introduced into the northern central states such as Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. The company is very committed to sustainable; earth friendly practices. "We use real food and minimally process and our products are made in small batches by real people who care about the quality of the product and love what they are doing!" says Mona.
Location: Great Barrington, MA. 01230
Phone: (413) 528-8008
Web site: www.smokeandfire.com
E-mail of choice: info@heavenearthfoods.com
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Whole Soy Company sells 100% vegan products, however the company owner and staff, are not vegan. But lucky for us vegans, Whole Soy has been in business for 8 years offering us Whole Soy Yogurt (6 oz. size, 9 fruit flavors, plus plain and vanilla). Whole Soy Yogurt (24 oz. size in plain and vanilla), Whole Soy Frozen Yogurt (9 flavors), Whole Soy Organic Soy Smoothies (4 fruit flavors), and now WholeSoy Cream Cheese Style Soy Spread (Original and Garlic/Herb).
Almost 30 years ago, Whole Soy's founder, Ted Nordquist, learned the natural Chinese and Japanese methods of converting whole soybeans into dairy- like products. In 1979, Ted utilised that knowledge to start a small soy foods plant near Uppsala, Sweden. From that point forward, Ted was hooked on soy and he has devoted his life to developing great tasting dairy-like products from whole soybeans. In 1996, Ted moved back to the United States with his family and began making WholeSoy yogurt. Though they are now a little bigger, all of their products are still developed by Ted in cooperation with food scientists and processors.
"We at WholeSoy maintain the globe as our logo to signify our dedication to protecting the planet. WholeSoy's commitment to the environment is in our name. We use only whole organic soybeans free from genetic modification" explains Biasha Mitchell. Ted developed a soybean processing technique that is entirely chemical-free. Ted Nordquist believes by reducing our dependence on animal products for protein and replacing it with soy protein, we will be able to further reduce our impact on the environment. It takes a considerable land, water, fertilizer and other resources to produce animal protein which could otherwise be utilised in the direct production of plant-based protein for human consumption (www.vegan.org). "WholeSoy does not use any genetically modified organisms in our products. Unfortunately, soybeans are one of the most genetically modified crops. We purchase our organic, GM- free soybeans from a single organic supplier to ensure our soybeans are the highest quality soybeans on the market. In fact, we recently tested our products for any traces of genetically modified organisms and were given a clean bill of health! WholeSoy understands the negative impact of pesticides and herbicides on our environment and farmlands. We utilize only certified organic soybeans. We use certified organic ingredients whenever possible." explains Biasha of Whole Soy. Located at 353 Sacramento St., Suite 1120, San Francisco, CA. 94111
Phone: (415) 434-3020
Fax: (415) 434-2003
E-mail: Biasha@wholesoyco.com
Web site: www.WholeSoyCo.com
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Organicville sells all certified vegan products. The company owner is vegan, in fact, she is a third generation vegetarian who has never eaten animal products. The company has been in business for 2 years offering 9 organic vegan vinaigrettes: olive oil and balsamic, sun dried tomato and garlic, herbs de provence, orange cranberry, miso ginger, sesame tamari, tarragon dijion, pomegranate, sesame goddess.
The owner, Rachel Kruse, has this to say to us, "I grew up in the Midwest. I am a third generation vegetarian who simply can't get enough salad. As I have been a lifelong lover of salad, so too have I been a lifelong organic consumer. However, I couldn't find an organic dressing that tasted great. So I created Organicville. We gather superior ingredients from organic food artisans from around the world. We use traditionally aged vinegar and high quality blends of expeller pressed oils. It is the only product line in the marketplace that is certified organic, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, no added sugar, and it tastes great too! Organicville's Organic Vinaigrettes incorporate our commitment to quality, health benefits, and great taste!"
Location: 1200 65th Street Suite 107, Emeryville, CA. 94608
Phone: (510) 655-1755
Fax: (510) 655-8255
Web site: www.organicvillefoods.com
E-mail: info@organicvillefoods.com
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The Natural Whole Food Bar products are all certified vegan. The certification was granted by Vegan Action (Richmond, VA.) (www.vegan.org) who has long been recognised for their reputation and integrity in the governance of ensuring products meet the standards necessary to achieve the distinction of becoming Vegan Certified. The Natural Whole Food Bars have earned several notable distinctions within the market place, aside from being certified vegan, they also recently received notification of being classified as "low glycemic" after having submitted to rigorous lab testing over a 10-week period. Additionally every Natural Whole Food Bar is also kosher, wheat and gluten-free, dairy and cholesterol-free and contains no trans fat or GMO's.
What further sets the product line apart from it's contemporaries is the fact that the bars contain 20-25 grams of protein, not more than 10 grams of natural and/or organic sweeteners, 5-7 grams of soluble fiber and are chock full of heart healthy fats. The owner and designer of the bars, Dan Armentrout, eats a lot of vegan food, but also includes fish. The company started in August of 2005.
All under the brand name The Natural Whole Food Bar, varieties include: Crunchy Peanut, Crunchy Almond, Apple Dapple Crunch, Soyberry Crunch, Crunchy Cashew, Crunchy Walnut, Crunchy Sunflower Seed, Asci Berry Crunch, and Date/Fig/ Almond.
Dan tells us, "My primary reasoning to develop The Natural Bar was because after years of working in the nutrition industry, I grew more and more disheartened about the products being brought to market. It got to the point that it was all about the bottom line and cutting quality for the sake of mere profits. I could not ask my family to eat the very products the companies I worked for were making! As I get older I see things from a different perspective. I believe it is more important now, more than ever, for me to leave the planet in a better position that it was in just yesterday. Knowing that industries of every sort take the same approach to business as that of my former employers, it makes me shudder to think what is being done to get food sources to market today. As evidence, we see the proliferation of animal borne illnesses like 'mad cow disease' and 'avian flu'. It is unprecedented that these two plagues would hit at the same time in history and the simple facts are that the mitigating circumstances surrounding their arrival are years of human influence within these species.
Location: Oceanside, CA. 92069. Phone: (760) 435-1128
E-mail: dan@thenaturalbar.com
Web site: www.thenaturalbar.com
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Grainaissance , makers of Amazake sell only vegan products, however the owner and staff are not vegan. The company has been in business since 1979 offering Amazake Rice Shakes: 14 flavors and Mochi Bake & Serve Rice Squares: 8 flavors. Tony Plotkin; President, started the company when he was following a macrobiotic diet. He still is mostly macrobiotic.
They are located at 1580 62nd St., Emeryville, CA. 94608
Phone: (510) 547-7256
Fax: (510) 547-0526
Web site: www.grainaissance.com
M. 'Butterflies' Katz is the co-author of Incredibly Delicious; Recipes for a New Paradigm which is published by Gentle World www.gentleworld.org
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