BLFN GreenApples Donation Drop Off!

Mandarin store General Manager Naomi Teten (in yellow) hands off a check of $683 in donations made by Native Sun customers and staff to Gretchen Farrell of the Beaches Local Food Network, our GreenApples Charity of the Month for May 2009. The money will go to help repair the vandalism to their greenhouse and help with costs for installing a security system to prevent future break-ins.

BLFN hosts a Beaches Green Market every Saturday from 2 – 5pm at Jarboe Park off 3rd Street in Neptune Beach. Sign up to receive thier email updates here and get a preview of what will fresh, local products will be available each week.

Eden Foods Ranks #1 on the Organic Soy Report

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves . . .

“American organic food is at the crossroads. Will people accept a veneer of “organic” and an erosion of what it means to be “organic”, or will they use the Soy Report to redirect their dollars demanding purity and quality? If the compromise of Organic Standards continues, there won’t be companies like Eden Foods.”              - Eden Foods President Michael Potter

Our friend Bob Mayer sent us a link to The Cornucopia Institute’s comprehensive report on today’s soy industry called “Behind the Bean: The Heroes and Charlatans of the National and Organic Soy Foods Industry”. After evaluating 62 organic brands, the Institute found only seven that met the requirements for its highest category.

Eden Foods came in at number one scoring 995 out of 1000 possible points – the ONLY National Brand in the highest category. Other top companies included Unisoya, Vermont Soy, Small Planet, FarmSoy, Twin Oaks and Green Cuisine.

Click here to see the Full Soy Report Card and see how the brands you shop measure up.

The Institute rated each brand on ten critical criteria:

Ownership Structure
The highest rating in this category goes to farmer-owned businesses that grow their own organic soybeans, then to farmer-owned or worker-owned cooperatives. Family businesses and other privately held companies are next, followed by publicly traded corporations.

Soybean Purchases
In this category, companies that buy only organic soybeans for their products rate higher than companies that buy both conventional and organic.

Disclosure
Companies that are full and open in their disclosure of sourcing, ingredients, and other practices such as GMO testing receive the highest rating in this category. Partial disclosures are rated lower.

Certifier
In this category, companies that are certified by ethical and trustworthy certifiers receive a higher rating than those that use Quality Assurance International. QAI has been involved in numerous legal complaints and major industry scandals of organic standards in the past.

Organic Product Line
Companies that manufacture only organic products receive a higher rating in this category than those involved in both organic and conventional production.

Manufacturing
Companies that manufacture their products in-house have more control over production and therefore receive a higher rating in this category than companies that use a co-packer. Co-packers owned and operated by the company also receive a high rating.

Sourcing and Farmer Relationships
The highest score for this category goes to companies that buy directly from North American organic family farmers and visit the farms.

The next highest rating is for companies that also buy directly from North American farmers but do not visit the farms. The next tier, also highly rated, is for companies that purchase soybeans from a broker who purchases only North American soybeans and is transparent (participated in the project); or companies whose co-packer purchases directly from farmers and was transparent. Secretive business models represent something wholly different from what consumers expect from trusted organic brands.

Next are companies that purchase soybeans from a broker who claims to provide only North American soybeans, but was not open and transparent and therefore would not allow The Cornucopia Institute to verify these claims. Low ratings go to companies that purchase soybeans from brokers sourcing internationally, such as from China and Brazil, and even lower are the companies whose copacker or broker would not disclose information.

Companies that gave no information about their sourcing received a zero on this criterion.

Prevention of GMO Contamination
The highest score in this category goes to companies that perform GMO contamination testing on every incoming load. Slightly lower scores go to companies that are enrolled in the Non-GMO Project or have their own internal monitoring program in place, or that perform testing occasionally. If no testing is done, the company receives a low score.

Flavoring
The highest score in this category goes to companies that use only organic food ingredients to flavor their products (or use no flavors). For example, this means using organic vanilla extract and organic cocoa powder in soymilk. A slightly lower score, but still high, is for companies that use organic “natural flavors.” Companies that use nonorganic natural flavors that are allowed under the federal organic standards receive a lower rating.

Soy Lecithin
Companies that use organic soy lecithin receive the highest rating in this category. Organic soy lecithin is available, but a loophole in the organic standards allows manufacturers to use the hexane-extracted conventional lecithin in organic foods. Companies using conventional soy lecithin receive a lower score.

Click here to read the Full Report

Click here to read the Executive Summary

We want to thank the members of The Cornucopia Institute for all of their great research and reporting on this issue so our customers, and all consumers, can make informed decisions when shopping at their local organic supermarket. Despite the evidence that quantity over quality seems to be the M.O. for food companies these days, there are still a few of us who are willing to stand up for what is right.

We are proud to say that we have been carrying Eden Foods products since we first opened in 1997 and we will continue to support them and their great efforts on behalf of true organics. It’s refreshing to find another company that cares as much about organic standards as we do.

Fun Facts about Eden Foods!
- They are the first and only organic food manufacturer to use BPA free liner in their canned goods.
- We sell Eden Organic Beans in our stores at 99¢ per can. That’s lower than conventional brands!

Healthy Happy Hour feat. Bold City Brewery 6/18

Every third Thursday of the month (THAT’S TONIGHT!) from 6 – 8pm at our Baymeadows store we host Healthy Happy Hour –  a FREE all-natural and organic beer, wine, and hors d’ oeuvres tasting for guests 21 and up. All of the beverages sampled are sold in our store, which means they meet the Native Sun standard, and the hors d’ oeuvres are made in our kitchen by the Native Sun staff using only all-natural and organic ingredients. Last month we served up prosciutto wrapped melon, bbq seitan skewers, and edemame hummus dip.

Tonight, Jacksonville’s own Bold City Brewery will be on hand to sample their new Limited-Edition “B” Coffee Stout Beer which is now available for purchase at Native Sun (Baymeadows store ONLY). The brew is made with coffee from Jacksonville roasters Bold Bean Coffee and a portion of all “B” Beer sales go to support the St. Johns Riverkeeper. Representatives from all three groups will be available tonight to answer questions about this all-local product.

Tonight, we will also be sampling the following:

Bell’s Oberon Wheat Ale (ON SALE $9.99/6pk, reg $12.39)
Named one of Jacksonville Magazine’s 2008 Best Eats! An American wheat ale brewed with Saaz hops. Spicy and fruity, Oberon is the color and scent of a sunny afternoon.

Rogue Captain Sig’s Northwestern Ale
Deep red in color, this ale starts off with a floral, slightly citrus hop nose, hop flavor soon fades into the malty backbone of this red ale.

Nina Bonita Organic Sangria (ON SALE $8.99, reg $11.39)
Dark cherry in color with a fruity, well balanced taste with notes of orange and lemon flavors. Sangria can be served chilled, over ice and with fruit slices (apple, orange, pineapple, peach, etc). Pair with an appetizer, barbecue, buffet or any festive holiday setting.

Orleans Hill Organic Viognier (ON SALE $8.99. reg $11.39)
Clear, light gold in color with peach nectar and vanilla aromas, ripe and full. Luscious texture and a hint of sweetness on the first taste segues to a finish that’s more dry and tart, with medium body and a hint of alcohol. Viognier’s heady aromatics call for bold flavors to match, Cantonese shrimp with lobster sauce made a fine choice. No Sulfites Added.

Agrinatura Puglia Chardonnay
Bright yellow color with baked apple and spiced nut aromas. A soft, silky entry to a dryish medium body with golden raisin box, green apple skin, and citrus peel accents. Finishes with a mild, mineral and caramel accented fade.

Tonight’s Sampling Menu
Blackened Salmon Wrap with Sundried Tomato Tapenade
Roast Beef Wrap with Horseradish Sauce
Sweet Pickled Green Beans
Artichoke and Roasted Red Pepper Salad with Toast Points
Mediterranean Cucumber Cups with Lentil Salad
Grilled Polenta with Wild Mushroom Ragu
Charcuterie Platter with Salami, Pepperoni, Cured Ham, Mozzarella, and Brie

Still not sure? Check out pictures from past Healthy Happy Hours and see all the fun you’d be missing. See you at 6!

The Big Fun Foundation & Grant Prather (1982-2009)

Our GreenApples Charity of the Month for June is The Big Fun Foundation . . .

“Imagine you’re 8 years old. You’re on your sixth day in the hospital and your doctor says you could be in for at least another week. You’ve played all the video games you can stand and watched all your movies – twice. Your parents can’t be with you today. You’re lonely, bored, stressed and scared. And then, you receive a Big Fun Box!”

The Big Fun Foundation is a local non-profit that provides “Big Fun Boxes” for children serving extended stays at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and other facilities around the country to help occupy their time and thoughts while awaiting critical treatment. The activities inside each box provide hours of fun and creativity that encourage children to use their imaginations.

The Foundation dedicates their work to the memory of Grant Prather, co-founder & creative director, who lost his battle with colon cancer at the young age of 26 earlier this year. With the help of his mother Jo Anne McKinney, Grant started the Foundation because he was all too familiar with time spent in the hospital – diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as an infant and receiving a double-lung transplant at age 18. Watch this video to learn more about Grant’s story:

Despite all obstacles, Grant spent his life helping others in our local community – and now is your opportunity to do the same. Help The Big Fun Foundation purchase items for their Big Fun Boxes by donating $1 the next time you shop at Native Sun during the month of June OR click here to donate directly online.

Cool Down & Charge Up with Coconut Water

Coconut water seems to be the new craze these days. Justin Timberlake’s SNL character “Peg” forgets hers on the register at Target, and Rebecca Romijn swears by it in this month’s issue of InStyle Magazine.

Coconut water (not to be confused with coconut milk) is a refreshing, naturally fat-free drink that packs 660g of potassium in a typical serving (that’s almost seven times what can be legally sold as a dietary supplement), plus magnesium and calcium, but with no fat, no cholesterol and very little sodium. Naturally occurring sugars come in at 14g per serving, only a fraction of what you’d find in a soft drink, but just enough for a light, sweet taste.

Because of these reasons, it is great way for athletes to restore fluids and minerals lost during exercise, so we brought it as our “sports drink” for the post-race brunch at the first 2009 Montoya Brower Beaches Fine Arts Triathlon Series race last month and it flew off the table! We’ll have it out at the second race tomorrow too!

At Native Sun, we carry several different brands of coconut water:

Zico

This pure coconut water has a great taste, not to mention different flavors like Mango and Passion Fruit & Orange Peel. Each contains the essence of fruit and no additional sugars, which is a plus for people watching their weight.

O.N.E.

The name stands for “One Natural Experience.” Like Zico, it has a nice smooth taste. The company was established in 2005 to bring “better-for-you” beverages to the U.S. to serve as healthier alternatives to sports drinks, energy drinks, sodas, enhanced and bottled water.

Note: Both of these beverages use a Tetra Pak container that is made with paper from responsibly managed forests, is lightweight helping to reduce its carbon footprint, and are 100% recyclable.

Amy & Brian

Although it’s called coconut juice, it’s actually coconut water and the pulp-free variety is slightly sweeter than the other brands.

Vita Coco

This company’s coconut water has slightly more potassium and 1g fewer sugars than other brands.

We also carry fresh, young Thai coconuts! Just break a hole in the top of the coconut, insert straw and enjoy! Well, it might prove a little bit trickier than that. Just watch this how-to video before you give it a try at home.

Source: Better Nutrition Magazine, May 2009

Fishy Business: Hormones Used to Cause Sex Change in Tilapia

This article was recently published on NaturalNews.com:

Drug Induced Fish: Hormones Cause Tilapia to Undergo Sex Change
Monday, April 06, 2009 by: Barbara Minton, Natural Health Editor

Has the fish on you dinner table gone through a drug induced sex change? If the fish is tilapia, the answer is probably yes. Tilapia is a delicious, mild flavored fish that has become very popular because of its low price. This low price is achieved by converting the young females to males through the use of the hormone drug 17alpha-methytestosterone. Raising an all male population allows fish farmers to produce bigger fish in a shorter time period with less feed. It also allows them to produce fattened profits. The only problem is that consumers have no idea the fish they are eating have undergone hormone-induced sex changes, and the long term consequences of such changes to health and environment are as yet unknown.

Almost all tilapia sold in the U.S. is hormone drug treated

. . .  The problem with these fish is their quick maturation at two to three months of age, and their ability to start breeding at a rate of once a month. These characteristics result in the overpopulation of stocked tilapia ponds and the stunting of growth because of the crowding of the fish. Another problem associated with a mix of males and females is the sizes of the fish for harvest varying from small to large due to the faster growth of males. This makes it more difficult to establish uniformity of product. For producers wanting high yields of large-sized fish in three to four months, all male fry are preferred.

Production of all male tilapia can be accomplished by such techniques as separating the males and females manually, hybridization which mates two species to produce all-male offspring, or by artificial sex reversal. The most efficient and least expensive method is sex reversal with the use of 17 alpha-methyltestosterone . . .

17 alpha-methyltestosterone is highly toxic to the human liver

. . . It has been prescribed for several years as a hormone drug substitution for men and women with hormone deficiency, and has been a favorite of body builders. The joining of the 17 alpha-methyl group to testosterone allows testosterone to pass through the liver without being metabolized. However, it also makes the drug highly toxic to the liver and capable of causing liver cancer. The drug has been taken off the market in Germany due to its high liver toxicity . . .

Hormone drug treatment of fish is restricted in other countries

. . . Many people do not want to eat food that has been altered with substances that change its basic biology. Although it can be argued that the ability of technology to provide cheap food is a good thing, new technologies often bring unintended and unwanted consequences. Little is know about the effects of the testosterone drug on the fish or on the environment. Clearly the hormone drug passes through the fish and enters environmental channels such as water and land. Unintended consequences from the use of sex changing drugs in fish would not be the first unintended consequence for the food industry. That industry thought it was a really good idea to use pulverized parts of cows in animal feed to help speed cheap food to market and fatten bottom lines. The result was cases of mad cow disease . . .

Click here to read the full article.
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At Native Sun, we carry only 100% Natural Farm Raised Emerald Tilapia that is hormone free, chemical free, preservative free, and raised using sustainable farming practices.

The tilapia is cage-raised in pristine open water lakes near the mountains on Honduras. This ensures a higher water quality and flow throughout the fish’s life cycle giving it a more uniform color, taste and appearance.

Every day the water quality, feed quality and overall health of the fish are continually monitored not only for consistency, but also to track the farm’s environmental footprint. Nothing goes to waste, all used and unused packaging gets recycled weekly and 100% of the fish waste from processing fillets gets recycled and refined into biodiesel that is used to power the plant machinery, trucks and infrastructure.

This results in deep-skinned tilapia fillets that yield higher oil contents which helps to preserve the fillet’s moistness and texture from overcooking. It also creates a vibrant white and pink color, with a very smooth texture.

We believe customers have a right to know what’s in the foods they eat and the products they use, so if you have any questions about our seafood selection, vendors, country of origin, or standards, feel free to ask Phil in our Seafood Department at the Baymeadows store, or any Manager on-duty.