Blog, Summary3 Steve Hoffman Blog, Summary3 Steve Hoffman

Making Waves in the Dairy Industry: Kalona SuperNatural™ Goes Above and Beyond During Unprecedented Times

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Certified Organic Dairy Honors June’s National Dairy Month by Supporting Regenerative Agriculture and Small Scale Family Farmers as a Sustainable Solution to Protect Livestock and Preserve the Land for Future Generations

Kalona, IA (June 22, 2020) – Kalona SuperNatural, an emerging, certified-organic, grass-fed dairy producer and brand is making waves during this year’s National Dairy Month by remaining resilient during these unprecedented times. According to the International Dairy Foods Association, National Dairy Month was created in 1937 to encourage Americans to consume more milk to fix the over surplus of product. 

This past spring, many conventional dairies were forced to dispense milk because of a lack of demand. Since the pandemic began earlier this year, Kalona has been busy filling distributors’ large orders and working closely with its more than 40+ Amish and Mennonite dairy farmers in eastern Iowa. 

Kalona’s CEO and Founder, Bill Evans, was recently quoted in a series of articles published by Presence Marketing, the nation’s largest independent natural and organic food brokerage firm and New Hope Network, an internationally recognized media leader in the natural products industry. Evans indicated that this is a crucial time for dairies, such as Kalona, to be recognized for the ripple they are making in helping the dairy industry regain strength.

"The conventional guys are having issues because they’ve got a large portion of their manufacturing set up for food service; there was no place for that to go a month ago, and it's still limited," Evans says. "We’ve been able to accommodate a 25-30% increase in sales volume, whereas larger producers are shorting people. Kalona SuperNatural has been more successful than others in balancing our organic milk supply." 

With more than six months left on the books for the year, Kalona SuperNatural not only has its eye on the state of the industry, they are also paying close attention to the fields.  

Going Beyond Organic
Kalona SuperNatural creates delicious, certified organic cream-topped dairy products that are non-homogenized and batch-pasteurized to preserve the fresh flavors. The Amish and Mennonite farmers that are part of the Kalona SuperNatural family of farms take a holistic approach to farming and have done so for the past 100 years. 

The farmers believe in allowing their cows to engage in their natural behaviors and move freely in open pastures. This grazing practice mimics the natural movement of wild herds in times passed and follows regenerative agriculture methods, a sustainable approach to farming. When dairy cows are pasture-grazed, they become a boon for combating climate change.

Kalona also encourages its farmers to practice a technique called mob grazing, which means a farmer will put their herd out to graze on a small plot of land daily. They will continue to rotate the herd to various parcels of land, letting the grazed plots rest and rebuild naturally. This technique is done without the use of pesticides and fertilizers and provides cows with plants and grasses rich in nutrients. The result contains more nutritious milk for consumers.

In Support of Regenerative Agriculture
As awareness of climate change grows, Kalona SuperNatural is looking at innovative farming practices that are traditional, yet sustainable. “We are looking to utilize farms as a force for good,” says Phil Forbes, Kalona SuperNatural’s Director of Supply Chain. 

“What’s beautiful about regenerative agriculture is that it’s not prescriptive,” Forbes says. “Regenerative agriculture provides us with a framework of modern techniques done sustainably. We want our farmers to manage their land in a sustainable manner that works within the context of their land. There's creative freedom in that model for farmers, and the outcome is net positive for the entire ecosystem." 

Evans adds, “At Kalona, we’re ‘Dairy Proud’ all year long, beyond National Dairy Month. Every purchase of our products is a vote for a healthier planet.”

Where to Find Kalona SuperNatural
Kalona SuperNatural products are available at leading retailers in the western U.S., including Whole Foods Market, Natural Grocers, Sprouts Farmers Market, Fresh Thyme, Hy-Vee, and other independent natural food stores, co-ops, and grocers. Visit kalonasupernatural.com/store-locator

For wholesale and sales inquiries, please contact Sharon Lake, Supply Chain Manager, sharon.lake@opengatesgroup.com.

About Kalona SuperNatural
Kalona SuperNatural is based in a thriving organic farming community in the heartland of America - Kalona, Iowa. They work with small, sustainable Amish and Mennonite family farms to produce delicious, minimally-processed organic dairy products from pasture-grazed cows. Kalona SuperNatural offers a full line of certified organic dairy products. Learn more at kalonasupernatural.com.

Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, tel 303.807.1042, steven@compassnaturalmarketing.com 

# # #

Read More
Blog, Summary4 Steve Hoffman Blog, Summary4 Steve Hoffman

Compass Coffee Talk, Episode 3 – The Power of Partnerships: A Conversation with Milton Zimmerman, Executive Vice President, Presence Marketing

Screen Shot 2020-05-26 at 10.26.10 AM.png
Screen Shot 2020-05-26 at 10.27.59 AM.png

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Compass Coffee Talk, Episode 3 – The Power of Partnerships: A Conversation with Milton Zimmerman, Executive Vice President, Presence Marketing

Need Brand Inspiration and Insight? Grab a Mug and Join the Compass Coffee Talk™ Webinar, Hosted by Natural Products Industry Leaders Bill Capsalis and Steven Hoffman

What: Compass Coffee Talk™
The Power of Partnerships: A Conversation with Milton Zimmerman
Details: Episode 3, Wednesday, June 3, 2020, 9:30am – 10:00am MDT 
To RegisterClick HEREAdmission is FREE 

Boulder, CO (May 26, 2020) – Consumer behaviors have shifted dramatically, and the natural products and organic industry have had to shift in response to the current coronavirus crisis. Now more than ever is a critical time for brands that have had to act quickly to find new ways to work with retailers to reach consumers, all while collaborating with other key partners. 

Industry expert, Milton Zimmerman, EVP, Presence Marketing, is quite familiar with the changes brands have had to make during these unknown times. That’s why Compass Coffee Talk™ is pleased to have Presence Marketing's Milton Zimmerman as their next guest on its live webcast, Wednesday, June 3, 2020, 9:30am – 10:00 am MDT.

Screen Shot 2020-05-26 at 10.29.39 AM.png

Milton will share valuable perspectives and insights from his vital role as a broker at Presence Marketing, the nation’s leading independent natural products sales brokerage. Natural Products Industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steven Hoffman, hosts of Compass Coffee Talk, will chat with Milton on the importance of building and sustaining strong partnerships across the supply chain from manufacturing to the distributor’s warehouse to the retail shelf — and how that has become more important than ever for new brands and established brands alike.

“We’re all trying to figure out how to best navigate through this difficult time, and that's why this month’s Compass Coffee Talk will appeal to everyone. Milton is not only a close friend, but a trusted resource who provides unmatched expert advice for natural and organic brands when they need it most,” said Steven Hoffman, Managing Partner and Founder, Compass Natural Marketing. “It’s not just what you know that counts these days, but knowing how to build, cultivate, and nurture strong partnerships that will ultimately help further your business."

Screen Shot 2020-05-26 at 10.31.02 AM.png

Compass Coffee Talk™ features lively interactive conversations with industry leaders and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes succeed in the marketplace. To register for the FREE Webcast, click HERE.

About Milton Zimmerman
Milton Zimmerman is a 30+ year veteran of the natural products industry and has been a partner at Presence Marketing/Dynamic Presence since 1995. Milton got his start in food marketing when he joined a Chicago-based beverage company in 1986 and was soon appointed their National Sales Manager, serving in that capacity for eight years. After a stint working for a leading natural snack food manufacturer "seasoned" Milton and prepared him for his true calling – being a broker. 

Milton joined Presence Marketing/Dynamic Presence partners, Bill Weiland and Christine Tzumas, five years into the company’s maturation and has loved the ride. Milton has built great friendships throughout the industry and is proud of his relationships with retailers and manufacturers from coast to coast. Milton is a 1980 graduate of the University of Illinois and a lifelong native and active member of the Chicagoland community.

Win Coffee! 
Compass Coffee Talk™ will be giving away one free bag of Colorado’s favorite Dazbog Coffee to one special attendee. Special thanks to Compass Coffee Talk™ sponsor, Dazbog Coffee!

About Compass Coffee Talk™
Compass Coffee Talk™ is hosted by natural and organic products industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steve Hoffman and is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading PR, branding, and business development agency serving the natural and organic products industry. Learn more.

Contact
Bill Capsalis, Host, 303.808.3441, bill@billcapsalis.com
Steven Hoffman, Host, 303.807.1042, steve@compassnaturalmarketing.com

Read More
Blog, Summary4 Steve Hoffman Blog, Summary4 Steve Hoffman

Grab Your Mug: Join Us for the Debut Episode of Compass Coffee Talk, April 29, 11:30am EDT

Welcome to Compass Coffee Talk™

Community | Conversation | Ideas | Inspiration

Take a 30-minute virtual coffee break with Compass Coffee Talk™. Hosted by natural industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steve Hoffman, Coffee Talk features lively interactive conversations with industry leaders and experts designed to help guide entrepreneurs and businesses of any size succeed in the market for natural, organic, regenerative, hemp-derived and other eco-friendly products.

Frank Talk: The Stimulus, Taxes and the PPP

Episode 1 - Wednesday, April 29, 11:30 am – Noon EDT
Zoom, Admission is Free

So many businesses in America are applying for Covid-19 stimulus relief through the Small Business Administration and the Payroll Protection Program that SBA temporarily shut down its website to new applicants. Other businesses have applied for stimulus grants and loans, but have been waiting and waiting for a response.

Join us for the debut episode of Compass Coffee Talk™ with special guest and longtime friend Jim Frank, one of the nation’s leading tax attorneys. Jim will share tips and insights as you navigate your business through these uncertain economic times.

Jim Frank is a tax attorney with over 35 years of experience working with individuals and families operating closely held businesses and real estate interests. His experience covers the full spectrum of the business lifecycle, from business formation to tax efficient succession and transfer planning. A graduate of Penn State University and Temple University School of Law, Jim has authored numerous articles and training programs for financial professionals regarding financial, investment and estate planning. He regularly teaches continuing education programs for attorneys and CPAs. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council.

About Compass Coffee Talk™
Compass Coffee Talk™ is hosted by natural and organic products industry veterans Bill Capsalis and Steve Hoffman, and is produced by Compass Natural Marketing, a leading PR, branding and business development agency serving the natural and organic products industry. Learn more.

Read More