Roaring Fork Mill, Maker of Regenerative Organic Flours, Signs with National Broker Green Spoon
Catch Roaring Fork Mill and its ROC-certified heritage grain flours and cookies at Newtopia Now in Denver, Aug. 20–22 | Booth #665, Regenerate Pavilion
CARBONDALE, Colo. (Aug. 13, 2025) — Roaring Fork Mill, a regenerative organic stone mill based in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, announced today a new partnership with national brokerage firm Green Spoon to expand the reach of its heirloom grain flours. Roaring Fork Mill handcrafts Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC) flours from ancient and heritage grains grown on local family farms using climate-friendly farming practices.
“We’re not just milling flour — we’re building a regenerative future one loaf at a time,” said Jacob Trumbull, founder and head miller at Roaring Fork Mill. “From sourcing grains from nearby regenerative farms to preserving flavor and nutrition through stone milling, our mission is rooted in people, planet, and performance.”
Green Spoon Partnership Expands Reach
Based in Boulder, CO, Green Spoon represents purpose-driven natural brands. Through its “Take Root” accelerator, the brokerage offers retail sales and promotional support for disruptive emerging brands. Green Spoon will manage sales for Roaring Fork Mill across the Central U.S. and Rocky Mountain regions.
The partnership comes amid growing interest in regenerative agriculture and regional food systems. Roaring Fork Mill has been featured in ColoradoBiz, Aspen Sojourner, The Sopris Sun, and Progressive Grocer for its efforts to bring nutrition, sustainability, and heritage back to the baking aisle.
See and Sample at Newtopia Now
At Newtopia Now (August 20–22, Denver Convention Center), Roaring Fork Mill will exhibit its full line of ROC certified flours and preview its new line of shortbread cookies — the first of their kind in the U.S. — at Booth #655 in the Regenerate Pavilion. Flours are available in 2-lb. home-use pouches and bulk sizes for food service and bakeries.
Product highlights include:
All Purpose Flour — Made with 100% White Sonora, an heirloom wheat, ideal for pancakes, cookies, and cakes.
Heritage Bread Flour — Made with Heritage Spring Wheat, our Heritage Bread Flour has a 12.2% protein content, making it an excellent choice for baking artisan breads.
Ryman Rye Flour — Grown in Colorado’s San Luis Valley as part of the Rye Resurgence Project on the Jones Farm Organics 4th generation farm. We’re proud that our rye flour is the first flour to be Regenerative Organic Certified in Colorado.
Purple Barley Flour – Milled from antioxidant-rich heirloom purple barley, our Purple Barley Flour has a slightly nutty flavor and is vibrant in color, making it ideal for crackers, flatbreads, muffins, and more.
Emmer Flour – Stone milled from one of the oldest cultivated grains, Emmer Flour has a bold, earthy flavor that shines in rustic loaves, pasta, and crackers.
Spelt Flour – Offers a sweet, nutty flavor and light texture, perfect for cookies, pancakes, and pizza dough—easy to love and easier to digest.
About Jacob Trumbull
Founder Jacob Trumbull developed a love of the land and passion for real food rooted in the community when he worked at Sterling College in Vermont. While there, he helped develop the Wendell Berry Farming Program (now called the Berry Center Farm & Forest Institute), an institute teaching sustainable and regenerative farming practices. Upon moving to the Roaring Fork Valley, he saw a gap in the market for regionally grown, regeneratively sourced grains in an area historically known for its wheat and grain production.
Inspired to bring fresh-milled nutrition back to the table, Jacob launched Roaring Fork Mill with a simple goal: to support local farmers focused on regenerative farming practices, restore soil health, and offer flour with soul. Today, he continues to lead the business with a hands-on approach— grinding each batch on a traditional stone mill and building a regenerative future one loaf at a time.
About Roaring Fork Mill
Founded in 2022, Roaring Fork Mill is a family owned Regenerative Organic Certified® stone flour mill based in Carbondale, Colorado. Sourcing heirloom grains from local farmers using regenerative practices, the mill produces premium flours for home bakers, chefs, and food producers. Roaring Fork Mill is also the only flour company in the U.S. with Upcycled Certified® baked goods. Products are available online and for wholesale. Visit the website and follow Roaring Fork Mill on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Spotlight on Host Defense: A leader in wellness innovation and scientific integrity
Host Defense® is making headlines & redefining what mushroom supplements can do.
As the best-selling mushroom supplement brand in the U.S., Host Defense is proud to be a leader in wellness innovation and scientific integrity. Founded by world-renowned mycologist Paul Stamets, the company has spent over 40 years building a bridge between fungi and human health.
From immune support and cognitive function to environmental restoration and bee protection, Host Defense products are rooted in research, powered by nature, and guided by a commitment to transparency.
At Host Defense, we don’t just follow the mushroom trend — we’ve helped shape it.
Host Defense News
Host Defense Lion’s Mane Brain Health Support chosen as the "Best Organic Mushroom Supplement"
Check out the New York Post's recent article "Magic or Myth: A mycologist's guide and review of the best mushroom supplements." Dubbed the “Smart Mushroom,” Lion's Mane has been shown to support memory, mood, cognition, gut health, and nervous system health.
Catch Paul at the 45th Telluride Mushroom Festival Aug. 14-18th
8/14 @ 7:30pm ~ Keynote Presentation: "Paul Stamets in his Natural Habitat: How Psilocybin Mushrooms Can Help Save The World"
8/15 @ 2:00pm ~ Book Signing @ the Fungi Perfecti Booth
8/16 @ 10:15am ~ Presentation: The Potential of Mushrooms to Support our Minds and Wellness
8/16 @ 11:30am ~ Book Signing @ Between the Covers Bookstore
8/16 @ 1:00pm ~ Panel Discussion Psychedelics
Don't Miss the Host Defense "Stage Takeover" at Newtopia Now
8/22 @ 11:15 AM to 11:30 AM ~ Regenerate Stage - #262. "Mushroom Mycelium & Fruiting Body: Growing Pains in the Mushroom Supplement Category"
Visit the Host Defense booth in the THRIVE Market pavilion #1335
August 20-22, 2025 ~ Denver, CO.
Paul’s recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, the release of his new book Psilocybin Mushrooms in Their Natural Habitats, and a standing ovation at Psychedelic Science 2025 underscore the cultural and scientific momentum behind this movement.
Paul Joins Joe Rogan Again
Paul shares his personal viewpoints on how mushrooms are helping the overall health of people and planet with Joe.
New Book Release
"Psilocybin Mushrooms in Their Natural Habitats: A Guide to the History, Identification, and Use of Psychoactive Fungi" by Paul Stamets is available now.
Psychedelic Science
Paul's opening keynote address at PS2025, held in Denver, drew standing-room-only crowds. Click here for the full story.
JAMBAR Named Official Energy Bar of the Big Sky Conference
FARMINGTON, Utah (Aug. 7, 2025) – Known for its organic ingredients and great taste, JAMBAR will now fuel student-athletes, coaches and fans across the Big Sky Conference as it becomes the official energy bar for the league.
JAMBAR organic energy bars are made in the U.S. and crafted in small batches in the company's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in California. A woman-owned, mission-based business, JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support music and active living.
“After sampling JAMBAR myself, I’m confident our student-athletes, coaches and fans will enjoy them just as much as the Big Sky team has at our office,” Commissioner Tom Wistrcill said. “This partnership brings a high-quality nutritional option to our conference championships and supports the performance and well-being of everyone involved. JAMBAR’s commitment to health, sustainability and community mirrors the values we strive to uphold in the Big Sky Conference and we’re excited to announce this partnership for the upcoming season.”
As part of this exciting partnership, student-athletes will have access to a variety of JAMBARs at every Big Sky Conference championship during the 2025-26 season.
"As a lifelong runner and former college athlete, I know firsthand how nutrition contributes to peak performance. Great taste is also key, so I created JAMBAR with only delicious, real-food, organic ingredients," said Jennifer Maxwell, creator and CEO of JAMBAR. "Our partnership with the Big Sky Conference gives us the exciting opportunity to fuel some of the country's best student-athletes, as well as the coaches and fans cheering them on."
About the Big Sky Conference
Founded in 1963, the Big Sky Conference is a NCAA Division I conference competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Big Sky prides itself on its “#ExperienceElevated” platform that emphasizes the unique traits and lifelong benefits that the conference and its member institutions provide to around 3,300 student-athletes each year. Conference members have won 13 NCAA championships, including seven in football by five different members as well as six of the last nine Division I men’s cross country titles by NAU. Follow the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on X, Facebook, Instagram, Blue Sky, YouTube and TikTok for all the latest news around the league and use the hashtag #ExperienceElevated to stay connected.
About JAMBAR
In 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, and the positive impact they can have on their local communities. JAMBAR organic energy bars are made in the U.S. and crafted in small batches in the company's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in California. A woman-owned, mission-based business, JAMBAR donates 50% of after-tax profits to organizations that support music and active living. JAMBARs are available in sports specialty shops, natural foods and grocery stores, online at Amazon.com, and through Sysco Marketplace. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Can Publicly Run Grocery Stores Solve Food Deserts — and Deliver on Nutrition Equity?
As New York and Chicago explore city-run supermarkets, new models — public, nonprofit and cooperative — are reshaping the business of feeding underserved communities.
This article first appeared in the August 2025 issue of Presence Marketing’s newsletter.
By Steven Hoffman
When New York Assembly member and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani proposed opening five city-run grocery stores—one in each borough—he reignited a debate that cuts to the heart of capitalism, food justice, and municipal responsibility. Critics labeled it a socialist fantasy. Proponents called it long overdue. But behind the political theater lies a legitimate question: Can publicly operated grocery stores succeed where the private market has failed?
Across America, millions live in low income, low access (LILA) markets—communities without easy access to affordable, nutritious food, or what many in the media refer to as food deserts. In these neighborhoods, fast-food outlets and corner stores predominate, while supermarkets are few and far between. For decades, policy solutions have focused on tax incentives or subsidies to lure grocery chains into underserved areas. Often, those stores don’t last. Mamdani’s proposal dares to flip the script: If the private sector won’t meet the need, let the public sector step in.
Pixabay.com
It’s not an entirely new idea. In small towns and major cities alike, experiments in publicly owned, nonprofit, or cooperative grocery models have taken root. Some have succeeded. Others have shuttered. Together, they paint a nuanced picture of what it takes to make public grocery stores work—and where they can go wrong.
The Rural Proof-of-Concept
With corporate consolidation leading to fewer grocery store options as food prices soar, “people are clamoring for solutions, and that’s leading to creative thinking on what might work,” Ganesh Sitaraman, Director of the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator, told the Food and Environment Reporting Network. Sitaraman recently published a report, Public Grocery Stores: A Guide for Policymakers.
In St. Paul in rural southeastern Kansas, a town with a population of 600, a municipal grocery store has been in operation since 2013. After the town’s last private grocer had closed, residents faced a 30-minute drive to the nearest supermarket. Rather than accept that future, the city council voted to open its own store. St. Paul’s model is humble, offering a basic selection of staples, fresh produce, and frozen goods. It doesn’t need to generate big profits—just enough to keep the doors open. In that way, it functions like any other public utility: not glamorous, but essential. More than a decade later, it remains in business.
Not every rural experiment has succeeded. In 2019, the town of Baldwin, Florida, opened a city-run grocery store, but by 2024, it had closed its doors. The reasons? Low foot traffic, challenges sourcing competitively priced goods, and the gravitational pull of the nearby Walmart. The lesson: Public stores face the same economic headwinds as private ones, and without a clear strategy and strong local buy-in, they may struggle.
A City of Contradictions
Chicago offers a case study in both the fragility of private grocery models and the resilience of community-driven alternatives. Between 2013 and 2021, the city lost at least 20 full-service grocery stores, many in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods on the South and West Sides. In 2022, Whole Foods Market closed its Englewood store just six years after opening with $10.7 million in city subsidies. For residents, the closure felt like a betrayal and a confirmation that public-private partnerships may not always prioritize community needs (Block Club Chicago).
But even as chains exit, grassroots solutions are emerging. The Go Green Community Fresh Market, launched in Englewood in 2022, is a nonprofit market developed in partnership with local organizations and institutions. It offers fresh produce, pantry staples, and prepared foods in a space designed to reflect community needs.
According to a report in Next City, the store is part of a broader movement toward community-led food infrastructure. Unlike traditional grocers, these models often blend retail with education, workforce development, and health services. They’re small but mighty—and in many cases, they’re succeeding where big box stores have failed.
Chicago’s city government has taken notice. In 2023, the city commissioned a study on the feasibility of municipal grocery stores. The findings, published in 2024, estimated that opening three stores would cost around $26.7 million (Chicago Sun-Times). Critics balked at the price tag. Advocates pointed out that the city has spent far more on failed economic development deals.
Mayor Brandon Johnson has voiced support for continued exploration. His administration sees food access as part of a broader public health and equity strategy—one that requires thinking beyond the boundaries of traditional retail.
New York’s Big Swing
In New York, Mamdani’s plan has drawn national attention. His proposal envisions five city-operated grocery stores with a focus on affordability, accessibility, and cultural relevance. The goal is not just to provide food, but to provide good food—including fresh produce, whole grains, and organic staples—at prices families can afford.
The backlash has been swift. Billionaire grocery executives and conservative commentators warn of government inefficiency, cost overruns, and mission creep. The Wall Street Journal editorial board argued that the plan would replicate “all the flaws of a Soviet commissary.” Mark Cuban quipped, “None of that s*** has a chance.”
But Mamdani remains undeterred. “We treat food like a luxury when it should be a public good,” he told Bloomberg. He sees the city-run grocery model as a form of infrastructure—akin to schools or libraries—that delivers long-term social ROI, not quarterly profits.
Public support appears strong, especially in districts hit hardest by inflation and store closures. In a city where the average grocery markup can exceed 25% in low-income neighborhoods, the idea of subsidized pricing resonates—and aligns with Mamdani’s broader political platform centered on economic justice (NBC New York).
Natural and Organic for Everyone?
One of the most compelling aspects of publicly operated groceries is their potential to democratize access to natural, organic, and specialty foods. In most food deserts, such items are virtually nonexistent. For households managing diabetes, allergies, or autoimmune conditions, the absence of unprocessed, nutrient-dense food isn’t just inconvenient—it could be dangerous.
Public stores, especially those not beholden to shareholder profits, could prioritize clean-label foods, support regional regenerative farms, and offer bulk bins, zero-waste options, and plant-based products typically confined to high-end co-ops. By participating in programs like Double Up Food Bucks or SNAP Match, these stores can extend purchasing power for low-income shoppers (Axios).
Imagine walking into a municipal grocery where you can use your EBT card to buy organic lentils, fresh kale, or local mushrooms—and receive a discount for doing so. That’s not just a policy victory; it’s potentially a public health breakthrough. Cities like Madison, Wisconsin, and Atlanta are already exploring similar models, indicating a growing appetite to align food equity with climate and nutrition goals.
Co-ops and Nonprofits: Lessons from the Field
In the space between private retail and public provision lies another model: the food cooperative. Owned and operated by members, co-ops have long served as alternatives to corporate grocery chains. But historically, they’ve skewed toward affluent, mostly white communities.
That’s changing. The Cooperative Development Institute (CDI) has worked to support co-ops in low-income and BIPOC communities across the Northeast. According to CDI, co-ops in food deserts thrive when they reflect local culture, offer accessible membership structures, and receive early technical and financial support.
In the majority Black-led community in Detroit’s North End, the Detroit People’s Food Co-op celebrated one year in business this past May, making fresh produce and products from locally sourced farms and producers more accessible to more than 4,000 co-op members. The term “food desert” doesn’t sit well with co-op general manager Akil Talley ― a desert, he said, is naturally occurring: “We like to call it 'food apartheid,' because a lot of it was intentional," he told the Detroit Free Press. The co-op was founded by the Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching residents about the importance of fresh food that is also behind a number of other food sovereignty initiatives.
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the nonprofit Chattanooga Food Center strives to create a food system that offers affordable and convenient access to healthy food, bridging the gap between producers and consumers. The organization partners with farms located within 150 miles of the city to source fresh produce, meat, eggs and dairy products. Its retail store, Gaining Ground Grocery, located in the Highland Park neighborhood of the city, an area previously bereft of fresh food options, offers discounted groceries alongside nutrition education. All proceeds from the store support the continuing mission of the Chattanooga Food Center. Customers can pay for groceries via a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer card, and the store also participates in the Double Up Food Bucks program established by the Fair Food Network which doubles the value of SNAP dollars for fresh local produce.
In Dayton, Ohio, the Gem City Market—a Black-led co-op—was launched in 2021 after a successful community investment campaign with more than 3,200 members. Both serve as proof points that with the right support, co-ops can thrive in marginalized neighborhoods and for many communities, municipal or hybrid public/nonprofit models may offer a more sustainable path.
Yet co-ops and nonprofits face unique challenges: they often require significant volunteer labor, complex governance, and ongoing grant support. Stores in low income areas also rely on such government programs as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which serves 42 million Americans as a defense against hunger.
For example, Gem City Market is committed to making sure food is readily available to local residents of all income levels, with programs like their “WeGotchu” sale, where they match EBT/SNAP-eligible purchases at 50%. However, the SNAP program is facing the biggest funding cuts in its history with the passage of the 2025 reconciliation bill, aka the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which could undermine the ability for low income families to access SNAP.
What Failure Teaches Us
Every closure is a lesson. Florida’s Baldwin Market closed because it couldn’t compete on price. Whole Foods Market left Englewood because it didn’t meet its margin targets. Even Rise Community Market in Cairo, Illinois, launched with fanfare, has struggled to maintain sales volume (New Republic).
These failures underscore the importance of three factors: management expertise, community trust, and economic patience. A grocery store is an operations-intensive business. Success depends on efficient procurement, cold chain management, labor stability, and pricing strategy.
Public or nonprofit ownership doesn’t remove those challenges. It only changes the priorities. Profit may not be the goal—but solvency is still essential. As one food policy analyst put it: “You can’t build equity on empty shelves.”
The Case for Investment
Despite the risks, many argue the benefits of public grocery stores outweigh the costs. The returns may not show up in balance sheets, but in reduced health care spending, increased employment, better school performance, and stronger local economies.
Public stores can act as anchor tenants, revitalizing commercial corridors and attracting additional services like clinics, pharmacies, or credit unions. They can train and employ local residents at living wages. And they can reinvest revenue into community priorities.
As Mamdani frames it: “We’re not just opening stores. We’re opening a future where no New Yorker has to choose between dinner and dignity.”
A New Chapter in Food Access
The feasibility of publicly operated grocery stores isn’t a yes-or-no question. It’s a matter of design, context, and political will. Done poorly, they risk inefficiency and failure. Done well, they can transform food systems.
What’s clear is that the private market alone will not solve food apartheid. After decades of disinvestment and unmet promises, communities are demanding something different. Whether through municipal markets, nonprofits, or co-ops, the movement is growing. And it’s not just about access. It’s about what kind of food system we want—and who it serves.
If cities like New York and Chicago can make public groceries work, they may set a new precedent: that good food is not a luxury, but a right. And that sometimes, the best way to feed the people—is to own the store.
Steven Hoffman is Managing Director of Compass Natural Marketing, a strategic communications and brand development agency serving the natural and organic products industry. Learn more at www.compassnatural.com.
EWG Publishes ‘Clean 15’ to Reduce Dietary Pesticide Exposure; Study Shows Glyphosate Still Carcinogenic at Levels Deemed Safe
This article first appeared in the July 2025 issue of Presence Marketing’s newsletter.
By Steven Hoffman
As public awareness of the connection between food and health continues to grow, so too does concern over pesticide residues in the food we eat every day. This month, two major developments underscore just how crucial it is to pay attention not only to what’s on our plates — but how it got there.
On June 11, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) released its 2025 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, including the highly anticipated “Clean Fifteen” and “Dirty Dozen” lists. These guides rank popular fruits and vegetables based on pesticide contamination, using data compiled from the USDA and FDA. For nearly two decades, these rankings have helped consumers make more informed decisions about when buying organic matters most.
This year’s “Clean Fifteen” offers some good news: Nearly 60% of the tested samples of the 15 least-contaminated conventional produce items showed no detectable pesticide residues whatsoever. Topping the clean list were avocados, sweet corn, pineapple, onions, and papaya — all relatively safe bets for budget-conscious shoppers looking to reduce pesticide intake without going fully organic.
But the release of EWG’s guide was accompanied by sobering news on another front: The results of a two-year study published in Environmental Health adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that glyphosate — the active ingredient in Bayer-Monsanto’s Roundup®, the world’s most widely used herbicide — may cause multiple types of cancer, and at doses considered safe by regulators.
“Our study provides solid and independent scientific evidence of the carcinogenicity of glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides,” said lead investigator Daniele Mandrioli of the Ramazzini Institute in Italy.
Glyphosate and the American Diet
Glyphosate has been a mainstay of industrial agriculture since the 1970s, praised for its broad-spectrum weed-killing power. With the rise of genetically modified crops engineered to resist glyphosate, its use exploded in the late 1990s and 2000s. Today, it’s sprayed on millions of acres of GMO corn, soybeans, cotton, and canola. But it doesn’t stop there.
In conventional grain production, glyphosate is also used as a desiccant — sprayed just before harvest to dry out crops like oats, wheat, lentils, and chickpeas. That means it doesn’t just show up in livestock feed. It ends up in our breakfast bowls and lunchboxes: in oatmeal, crackers, tortillas, hummus, and cereal — it can even end up in products marketed as “natural” or “healthy.”
Glyphosate is now so prevalent in our environment that it has been detected in everything from rainwater to breast milk. A 2022 CDC study found glyphosate in the urine of 80% of a representative sample of U.S. children and adults. Just last year, EWG reported that popular oat-based cereals and snack bars still contained detectable glyphosate residues, years after promising to reformulate.
So, how dangerous is it?
A Closer Look at the Science
The new Environmental Health study, published in June 2025, evaluated nearly 2,000 previously published studies to reassess glyphosate’s potential health risks. It concluded that even very low doses — far lower than currently allowed by regulatory agencies — can pose significant risks of cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive harm, and immune suppression. The researchers found that glyphosate can interfere with endocrine signaling pathways at parts-per-billion levels, meaning even tiny exposures could be biologically active.
This follows a 2015 determination by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which classified glyphosate as a “probable human carcinogen.” Since then, thousands of lawsuits have been filed against Bayer-Monsanto, many resulting in high-profile jury verdicts linking glyphosate exposure to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Although Bayer continues to deny glyphosate’s carcinogenicity and has spent billions to settle lawsuits, public confidence in the safety of this chemical is eroding.
And now, with researchers warning there may be no safe level of exposure, the need for regulatory reassessment — and consumer action — is more urgent than ever.
What the ‘Clean Fifteen’ Tells Us — and What It Doesn’t
In the midst of all this, EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce offers a valuable, practical resource for consumers trying to navigate the complexity of the modern food system.
EWG analyzed over 47,000 samples of 46 popular fruits and vegetables. The “Clean Fifteen” list identifies produce items that typically have the lowest pesticide levels, even when grown conventionally. This year’s top 15 are:
Avocados
Sweet corn
Pineapple
Onions
Papaya
Frozen sweet peas
Asparagus
Honeydew melon
Kiwi
Cabbage
Watermelon
Mushrooms
Mangoes
Sweet potatoes
Carrots
It’s worth noting that some of these crops, such as papaya and sweet corn, are frequently genetically modified. That means they may be lower in pesticide residues, but still part of the chemical-dependent industrial agriculture model.
In contrast, the “Dirty Dozen” — which includes strawberries, spinach, and kale — are best purchased organic due to their high pesticide loads. For instance, 90% of strawberry samples tested had detectable pesticide residues, and spinach samples had, on average, 1.8 times more pesticide residues by weight than any other crop.
The takeaway: if you can’t afford to buy everything organic, prioritize organic options for items on the Dirty Dozen, and rest a bit easier when purchasing from the Clean Fifteen.
Resources & References
EWG Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce: https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/
Glyphosate cancer study summary: https://www.thenewlede.org/2025/06/new-study-adds-to-evidence-that-glyphosate-weed-killer-can-cause-cancer/
Steven Hoffman is Managing Director of Compass Natural Marketing, a strategic communications and brand development agency serving the natural and organic products industry. Learn more at www.compassnatural.com.
Psychedelic Science 2025 Conference Focused on Research, Business ‘Integration’
By Steven Hoffman
In a state where it’s legal for people 21 and older to consume DMT, ibogaine, mescaline, psilocybin and psilocin recreationally – and where licensed therapists and treatment providers can practice psychedelic therapy – Colorado played host to the fifth annual Psychedelic Science Conference. Hosted by the nonprofit MAPS, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, founded in 1986 by Rick Doblin, Psychedelic Sciences 2025 (PS2025) was held June 16-20 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. The event is the world’s largest gathering focused on psychedelic research and industry developments.
Highlighting a theme of “The Integration,” this year’s conference drew 7,000 attendees and featured an exhibit hall and agenda replete with programming, education, art installations and events to highlight the emerging science and potential benefits of psychedelics.
World-renowned mycologist and founder of Fungi Perfecti® Paul Stamets speaks at Psychedelic Science 2025, held June 16-20, 2025, in Denver.
“This year's theme, The Integration, reflects a critical turning point in psychedelics: where research meets regulation, healing meets culture and personal insights scale into collective change,” said Betty Aldworth, Interim Co-Executive Director of MAPS.
With billions of investment dollars flowing into psychedelic science, drug development and emerging therapeutic models, PS2025 offered tracks on research, therapeutics, policy and regulatory issues, plus a business track with speakers providing insights into the commercial landscape. “From cross-sector policy innovators to regulatory changemakers and emerging leaders in psychedelic infrastructure, PS2025’s business track spotlights the forces shaping how psychedelics move from research to real world impact,” conference organizers said.
Keynote speakers at PS2025 included Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who announced at the event that he was issuing pardons for individuals who were convicted in the state of possessing “magic” mushrooms containing psilocybin and psilocin. Polis said he hopes Colorado can take a leading role when it comes to the legal framework and research around psychedelic mushrooms.
Colorado residents in 2022 voted to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms for people 21 and older. The measure also legalized state-regulated "healing centers" where participants can experience the drug under supervision. "Colorado has been a national leader in breaking through outdated laws around cannabis, and now we are doing the same for natural medicine," Gov. Polis said in a prepared statement.
World-renowned mycologist Paul Stamets, founder of Fungi Perfecti® and Host Defense®, also was featured as a keynote speaker at PS2025. His opening talk, held on the Expo Stage, drew standing-room-only crowds as he shared information on identifying and growing psychedelic mushrooms from his new book, Psilocybin Mushrooms in Their Natural Habitats, released in early June. Stamets also spoke of the emerging research highlighting the potential of micro-dosing psilocybin in helping to increase overall neural connectivity, or “rewire” the brain in cases of depression, anxiety, dementia, PTSD and more.
Additional keynote speakers included U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Minn.); Shereef Elnahal, former Undersecretary for Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; former U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, and a number of researchers, scientists, medical practitioners, industry leaders and community advocates across 14 distinct educational tracks. PS2025 also featured movie screenings, creative installations and more than 200 exhibitors in the exhibition hall.
Psychedelic Sciences 2025, hosted by MAPS, was produced by Superfly, a production company known for such major events at Bonnaroo and Outside Lands.
Learn More
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies: https://maps.org
Psychedelic Science 2025: https://www.psychedelicscience.org
Steven Hoffman is Managing Director of Compass Natural, providing public relations, brand marketing, social media and strategic business development services to natural, organic, regenerative and sustainable products businesses. Contact steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com.
JAMBAR Organic Energy Bars Now Available Nationwide via Sysco Marketplace
Organic, Woman-Owned Brand Now Available for Foodservice Operators Across the U.S.
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. (June 4, 2025) – JAMBAR®, the organic energy bar company founded by Jennifer Maxwell, creator of the original PowerBar®, today announced that all five flavors of JAMBAR are now available through Sysco Marketplace, the digital commerce platform launched by Sysco in 2024. This expanded distribution enables JAMBAR to reach foodservice customers across the contiguous U.S.—from campus dining halls and hotel chains to corporate pantries and wellness programs.
“Now, every Sysco customer in the lower 48 can easily order JAMBARs,” said Peter Pelanek, vice president of sales at JAMBAR. “This partnership brings our certified organic, artisan-made bars to a wider audience—streamlining access and boosting brand visibility and sales.”
Sysco Marketplace connects buyers to more than 40,000 curated third-party products, complementing Sysco’s traditional broadline offerings. The platform is designed to enhance the customer experience by offering a one-stop-shop solution that supports emerging and diverse-owned brands like JAMBAR. By leveraging its scale, Sysco is able to elevate innovative suppliers and meet the evolving needs of its customers.
Born from Innovation, Fueled by Purpose
JAMBAR delivers great-tasting, nutrient-rich bars made with certified organic, whole-food ingredients—no seed oils or processed sugars. Each bar contains 10g of protein and is a good source of fiber. With five vibrant flavors—Chocolate Cha Cha, Malt Nut Melody, Jammin’ Jazzleberry, Musical Mango, and Tropical Trio—the bars include gluten-free and plant-based options, and provide easy-to-digest fuel for athletes and active individuals.
“JAMBAR was created for everyone—from kids to weekend warriors to elite athletes. Our partnership with Sysco Marketplace allows people access to healthy choices when they’re away from home,” said Maxwell, who is also a food scientist, athlete, and musician.
“By tapping into Sysco’s vast network of foodservice customers, we can now bring our clean, organic energy bars to schools, hospitals, hotels, offices, and beyond—making it easier than ever for people to access better nutrition on the go.”
Half of Profits to Music & Movement: Fueling Bodies and Communities
JAMBAR is more than just an energy bar—it’s a vehicle for positive change. As a mission-driven, woman-owned company, JAMBAR donates 50% of its after-tax profits to nonprofit organizations that support music education, performance programs, and active living initiatives across the country.
This unique business model is rooted in founder Jennifer Maxwell’s lifelong passions for both physical activity and music—two forces she believes are essential to personal and community well-being. Whether it’s funding youth music programs, sponsoring athletic events, or supporting wellness nonprofits, JAMBAR reinvests in efforts that get people moving and connecting.
About JAMBAR
In 2021, Jennifer Maxwell founded JAMBAR with the goal of helping people feel good about the ingredients they put in their bodies, as well as the positive impact they can have on their local communities. JAMBARs are made in the U.S. and crafted in small batches in the company's own state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in California. JAMBARs are now available in popular sports specialty shops, leading independent natural foods and mainstream grocery stores, online at Amazon.com, and now, through Sysco Marketplace. Learn more at www.jambar.com and follow JAMBAR on Facebook and Instagram.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042
Host Defense® Founder Paul Stamets to Appear on Three Major Podcasts This Summer
Stamets Brings Mushroom Science to Millions Through Top-Ranked Podcasts and New Book Release
OLYMPIA, Wash. (June 3, 2025) — Fungi Perfecti, LLC, the pioneering company behind Host Defense® Mushrooms™ — the leading mushroom supplement brand in the U.S. — announces that its founder, world-renowned mycologist and entrepreneur Paul Stamets, will be featured on several major podcasts this summer in support of his newly released book, Psilocybin Mushrooms in Their Natural Habitats.
Stamets is set to appear on The Joe Rogan Experience June 24, where he’ll discuss his decades of scientific research, the future of fungi-based medicine, and the critical role mushrooms play in planetary health. Ahead of that, he will join Grammy-winning artist Kacey Musgraves on the Sing for Science podcast on June 22, exploring the intersection of music, mycology, and sustainability. On July 3, Stamets will also be featured on The Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown podcast, bringing his insights on mushrooms, mental health, and longevity to a wider audience.
A Pivotal Moment for Mushroom Science
These appearances follow Host Defense’s recent honor — the Taste for Life 2025 Longevity Essentials Award for Mycobenefits™ Focus* supplements — recognizing the company's commitment to advancing wellness through scientifically supported mushroom supplements.*
The recognition comes at an exciting time for Stamets and Host Defense, as interest in mushroom-based health solutions continues to grow. In response to increasing curiosity and conversation around the role of mycelium, Host Defense draws on decades of research and clinical data to spotlight its significant benefits for immune and neurological support. Stamets emphasizes the value of mycelium as a powerful and intentional part of the formulation and advocates for accurate, transparent labeling across the industry. By encouraging standardized testing for key compounds like beta-glucans and promoting a science-first approach, Stamets and Host Defense continue to lead with integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to education and consumer empowerment in the mushroom wellness space.*
About Host Defense®
Host Defense® is the leading mushroom supplement brand in the U.S. Its parent company Fungi Perfect, LLC is a family-owned company founded by internationally renowned mycologist Paul Stamets. Host Defense specializes in mushroom mycelium-based supplements and functional beverage mixes designed to support human health, and its parent company Fungi Perfecti has become synonymous with cutting-edge mycological research and solutions, from water filtration (mycofiltration) and ecological rehabilitation (mycoremediation) to combating Colony Collapse Disorder in bees. Host Defense® products reflect the company’s commitment to sustainability, scientific integrity, research and education. Fungi Perfecti is a Certified B Corporation and is third-party designated as Climate Positive, offsetting 110% of their carbon emissions. Its mission is to build a bridge between people and fungi in service of people and the planet. Follow Host Defense and Fungi Perfecti on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042
Presence Marketing’s Bill Weiland Shares ‘Bankable Trends’ at MAHA Institute Launch in D.C.
These comments by Presence Marketing’s founder and CEO were transcribed by Steven Hoffman, of Compass Natural Marketing, for Presence’s June 2025 newsletter.
Bill Weiland, Founder and CEO of Presence Marketing, was called to Washington, D.C., on May 15 to speak as part of a full-day symposium presented by the MAHA Institute, a new organization dedicated to changing and championing federal policies and initiatives related to nutritious food, safe and sustainable agriculture, and health freedom, inspired by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s MAHA movement. Bill spoke on a panel that also featured Bill Moses, founder of Kevita and Flying Embers; Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D., CEO of the Natural Products Association; and Steve Bullock, CEO of PerfectRx.
To view a recording of the full-day MAHA Institute event, visit here. Bill Weiland’s panel presentation begins at the 7:18:48 mark. Here, below, is a complete transcript of Bill’s remarks at the event.
Hello everybody, I’m Bill Weiland. I have been in the natural products industry for 46 years and a CEO for 35 years. My company is Presence Marketing. We represent natural and organic brands to conventional grocery stores and natural foods stores. But we’ve become ultra-influential in the food business, and I’ll give you some great examples.
First of all, to simplify our business, we’re building brands. We’ve built iconic brands for many years like Amy’s Kitchen, Clif Bar, Go Macro, Traditional Medicinals Teas. We work on services like innovation and product optimization. We’re also financiers — we write checks small and large, and we have all kinds of partners: angel investors, banks, venture capital groups, etc., so we raise serious capital for emerging and existing natural and organic brands.
Presence Marketing founder and CEO Bill Weiland at the MAHA Institute launch. (Photo courtesy of MAHA Institute)
I have been doing a report for 11 years I affectionately call “Bankable Trends” (with the Presence Marketing logo I consider the second most popular swoosh in America!). But I promised 11 years ago that I would never call one incorrectly and guess what, I’m batting a thousand. I can tell you what’s going to hit and what’s not. Let’s talk a little bit real quickly about what’s not. Crickets are not the next sushi; crickets are the next bug. Nobody’s eating ‘effin’ bugs, OK?
I’ll tell you what else people don’t want: lab food. Precision fermentation, no chance. Bio-identical dairy, no way. Cell-based meat? The cell ain’t gonna sell, and I promise you all of that is 100% accurate.
So, 11 years ago I called the collagen and bone broth trend. People are like, Bill, what the ‘H-E-double-hockey-sticks’ are you even talking about? What is this stuff? There was nothing in the channel except Grayslake Gelatin, right? And I said, well look, if you want to build muscle you eat steak, you eat chicken, you eat beans, you eat nuts — those amino acids will rebuild muscle tissue.
But if you want different benefits like bright taut skin, really high-level joint health as you age, great digestion, you need those amino acids around the joint of an animal. You can’t replicate those anywhere in nature. Glutamine, proline, glycine, alanine, arginine — very difficult to get. So, we went then and invested in and built brands like Bonafide Restorative Bone Broth, Vital Proteins, and Ancient Nutrition (we worked with Jordan Rubin and his team).
At the same time, 11 years ago we called ‘grain free.’ We always know the ‘why.’ Grain free — think about it. You capture the gluten free customer, you capture the customer who understands ‘anti-nutrients.’ You know, the phytic acid in grains, the lectins in beans, legumes and other vegetation, and how they bind with nutrients on a molecular level and make them inaccessible in the gut. So, grain free, the biggest percentage of sales is just people who say, ‘Hey, I don’t want a carbohydrate bomb. I want my cracker or tortilla to be calories of consequence.’
Let’s talk about seed oils and animal fats, now. So, we got after seed oils 15 years ago. We have a great partner in Boulder Canyon. We kept getting distribution, but their stuff kept getting discontinued when we got further and further away from Boulder. And I said guys, your canola, your safflower, your sunflower — I’ve got an idea. Let’s go with three platforms: coconut, olive, avocado — let’s build under those three higher value oils. Business has exploded and now they’re the number one chip in the country, many hundreds of millions of dollars, untold numbers of jobs and influence, and they’re retrofitting all products, now going completely seed oil free. Bobo’s came and saw me 10 years ago… I said use butter or coconut oil. They chose coconut oil. They were a small little business, cottage industry. Now, headed towards $200 million and killing it.
And let’s talk about how we’re building animal fat. This brand Masa is a proper tortilla chip cooked in beef fat. Incredible. You eat chips, you go to a Mexican restaurant, it’s kind of a gut bomb. I’m eating the plain flavor, scooping ceviche, scooping beef tartar — these are real food calories. You guys gotta try it!
I have another one here — we’re launching the first ancestral protein bar, Prima. This bar has grass fed collagen, grass fed whey, grass fed tallow, organic honey, simple ingredients. You eat one, you feel like Tarzan. We’ve got a brand called Somos, a Mexican food company that came to visit us recently at the affectionately named ‘Billagio,’ where we host meetings in Chicago. I told them if you want to build a big food company, launch refried beans cooked in tallow. Two SKUs are coming; they’ll be here for us to taste in 35 days; we’re going to launch them this calendar year. And then I’ve got a young couple of chefs — one of them is local here, Jesse & Ben’s — doing frozen french fries in either plant oils that are higher value or beef tallow.
Then just a quick primer on regenerative agriculture — my numbers, and I usually make my numbers — always, to be fair — I’m saying 18 years to 10% of all U.S. farmland will be farmed regeneratively.
That is the path that I see us on right now. Blocking and tackling with a little extra juice.
Also, I just want you to know that we’ve been acquired by a group called Platform. These guys are tremendous. It’s still business as usual for Presence Marketing except it feels like a little ‘Elonesque’ rocket fuel has been injected into us. But we’re gonna fight the good fight here long term, keep putting jobs on the board, keep influencing the quality of products — organic, natural — and I promise you we will have hundreds and hundreds of SKUs in the next three years launched that will be high quality beef and bison tallow based — no vegetable oils — duck fat (schmaltz!) or chicken fat and pork lard. So, we’ll continue doing our jobs. We are grateful to be here and continue to support the mission.
And here’s what I want to say to our friends across the aisle: This is such a layup. Don’t fight us on this one, Democrats. I’ll tell you this, this train is coming and you have two choices. Get on board or get out of the way. Let’s go MAHA.
Adventure CPG Opens Investment to the Public on Wefunder
LOS ANGELES (May 22, 2025) — Adventure CPG, the mission-driven national distributor committed to making natural and organic products more accessible, has launched its community investment campaign on Wefunder, offering the public a chance to invest in the next evolution of food distribution—one built on care, transparency, and shared success.
Founded by Torah Torres, a seasoned leader in the natural products space, Adventure CPG was created to honor what this industry has always stood for: delivering better food to more people. Rather than “disrupting,” the company is modernizing and rebuilding with intention—preserving what matters while improving how it all works.
“We’re not just here to fix what’s broken—we’re here to build something better, together,” said Torres, CEO and Founder. “Adventure CPG was built to care—for brands, for retailers, for the communities they serve. We believe that’s what real progress looks like.”
A New Model Rooted in Shared Values
Adventure CPG is structured as the first zero-margin, membership-based national distributor, designed to deliver cost-effective, scalable logistics without compromising values. From blockchain-backed transparency to a streamlined national supply chain launching this summer, the company is applying modern tools to age-old principles: fairness, clarity, and trust.
The company is already partnered with over 40+ mission-aligned brands, with warehousing and logistics capabilities ready to support dry, refrigerated, and frozen goods nationwide.
This Wefunder campaign allows everyday people—not just institutions—to invest in the future of food. The offering reflects the company’s belief that ownership and opportunity should be as distributed as the products it moves.
“Partnering with Adventure CPG is a game-changer,” said Chris Reed, Founder of Reed’s Ginger Beer. “This is the first time I’ve felt like a distributor actually aligns with the values we built our brand on—support, clarity, and a real commitment to mutual growth.”
Investing in What Comes Next
This soft-launch campaign is now welcoming early investments from friends, family, and those who share the mission of building a smarter, more equitable food system.
“I invested in Adventure CPG because this isn’t just logistics—it’s leadership,” said Cara Nordin, an early supporter and natural products advocate. “They’re creating something that reflects the best of what this industry can be.”
To learn more or invest in Adventure CPG, visit: Wefunder
For more information, visit AdventureCPG.com and follow on LinkedIn.
About Adventure CPG
Adventure CPG is a mission-led, zero-margin national distributor designed to serve the next generation of natural, organic, and specialty food brands. Built around a membership model and powered by blockchain-backed logistics, ACPG delivers transparent, affordable, and scalable distribution rooted in care—for the past, present, and future of the food system.
About Wefunder
Wefunder is a leading investment crowdfunding platform that allows anyone to invest in startups they believe in. By democratizing early-stage capital, Wefunder enables companies like Adventure CPG to raise money from the communities they serve—while offering investors a stake in the future they want to help build.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel: 303.807.1042