Annie’s Homegrown is a company which has been a part of the Green movement since it introduced ‘Shells & White Cheddar’ in 1989. Annie Withey is a mother of two and a farmer by trade who has always believed in sustaining our natural environment, and caring for the planet as we should also care for ourselves. When she started her company, her personal mantra became her business mantra: ‘Eat Responsibly. Act Responsibly.’ Offering only all-natural and organic foods and snacks, Annie’s provides healthy options for our bodies and for the planet.
Aside from producing delicious organic foods, Annie’s also meets several other markers of the Green movement:
- Annie’s uses only real ingredients—this action in itself supports over 75 family farms.
- Annie’s uses packaging that can be recycled 5 times before the fibers become too short to form paperboard. All of the packaging used contains recycled material—the boxes containing ‘Bunny Grahams,’ ‘Cheddar Bunnies,’ and macaroni & cheese are made from 100% recycled paper fiber.
- Annie’s supports Eco Energy by giving money to NativeEnergy to offset her carbon footprint. To offset emissions of carbon dioxide resulting from corporate headquarters, manufacturing facilities, the distribution warehouse and the mobile tour, Annie then provides funds to NativeEnergy who in turn builds wind farms.
- Annie’s offices in California rely completely on 100% recycled paper stock for their everyday use, and reusable packing material and boxes are also used.
- Last but not least, when Annie is on the road for her mobile tour her team uses forks and spoons made from bioplastics, and plates and cups made from sugarcane waste.
Annie’s passion for food, people and the planet has manifested in many great ways over the years. Annie’s gives back to the community not only by supporting numerous community and family farms, but also by providing ‘Sustainable Agriculture Scholarships’ and ‘Community Giving Programs’ which include specific programs to promote organic gardening in schools. To learn more about the positive impact Annie’s is making across the country, you can visit www.annies.com or www.nativeenergy.com for detailed information.
