Partnership

Continued from PAGE 1 healthy food access But it is also imperative that we work with other organizations that are tackling key social barriers PHA is leading the way in innovative solutions to ensuring food equity ”

Pairwise will contribute $75,000 annually to PHA’s Good Food for All program, which provides produce to families facing barriers to accessing affordable, healthy and sustainable food The program works with local partners to empower long-term changes in healthy eating behaviors in communities across the country

Pair wise’s contribution will provide 630,000 servings of healthy fruits and vegetables through the PHA’s Good Food for All program and will support PHA’s commitment made at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health to deliver 100 million servings of produce by 2025

“Ever y day, too many families around neurs, Ispahani created Social Brew – “Coffee that goes beyond the cup ” – as a product that not only awakens the senses, but “awakens humankind to be its best ”

Hold on to your hats, now Ispahani donates 50 percent – yes, half – of the profits to two nonprofit partners

“It’s important to me that it’s not about profiting off people, but helping to make a statement, investing in the world,” Ispahani said

“Everyone thinks I’m crazy, but I did the research and the numbers and it’s important to me, ” she said

H e r c h o i c e o f p a rt n e r s a l s o m i g h t r a i s e eyebrows: Beautiful Feet Wellness, which o f f e r s w e l l n e s s s e r v i c e s f o r p e o p l e w h o h a v e b e e n f re e d f ro m h u m a n t r a ff i c k i n g , a n d H o ’ ō l a N ā P u a , w h i c h i s c o m m i t t e d t o p re v e n t s e x t r a f f i c k i n g a n d p ro v i d e c a re f o r c h i l d re n w h o h a v e b e e n e xp l o i t e d

Ispahani noted that while human trafficking is often associated with the sex trade, forced labor is most often the motivation for trafficking Earlier this year, news broke within the U S meat industry that child labor was rampant in plants Ispahani’s desire to run a socially responsible company is rooted in faith

“I was raised with a background in faith,” she said “It’s always been a part of my family ”

So when it came time to go to college, Ispahani chose Biola University, a private nondenominational Christian school in La Mirada, Calif , where opportunities to learn about social justice abound in clubs and lectures While attending a lecture with a friend during one such “ awareness week,” Ispahani’s worldview was inalterably shaken the countr y struggle to access healthy food This entrenched problem must be addressed so that good food is available to everyone, no matter their zip code We are taking the steps to solve it by working with Pair wise to make healthy food accessible for families in-need,” said Noreen Springstead, president & CEO of Partnership for a Healthier America

PHA and Pairwise’s shared goal of creating greater, sustained access to nutritious food will require innovative thinking and new solutions Both organizations are focused on finding innovative solutions to persistent problems facing our current food system

Pairwise is a leading food and tech company committed to building a healthier world through better fruits and vegetables

The company is based in Durham, N C , with operations in Arizona and California, all locations where Pair wise expects to deepen its relationship with local PHA partners

“We look at this partnership as the very beginning of what we hope to be a long-

“By the end of the lecture, I was sitting on the edge of my seat,” she recalled “Once you hear it, it can’t be unheard ”

The speaker had addressed the global issue of human trafficking Ispahani was so intrigued that she dove into research and sought internships and other work in the anti-trafficking movement In her senior year of college, she led a trip to India with trafficking survivors

You might be wondering what any of this has to do with gourmet coffee

“When I was getting ready to graduate, my dad and I did our favorite thing, which is going out to try different coffee shops back home in Hawaii over spring break,” Ispahani said “We were at a new coffee shop and he said, ‘What do you think you’ll do next?’

“I wasn’t quite sure, ” she said “I knew I wanted to do something in the anti-trafficking space Then it came to me to merge business and nonprofit work ”

Ispahani imagined a brick-and-mortar coffee shop that partnered with Hawaiian nonprofits that work with women ready to re-enter the workforce after surviving trafficking

“That’s where I saw the most impact I could have, in the journey from rescue to rehabilitation – what happens after that?”

After being laid off from a job, her father encouraged her to revisit the idea of a coffee business with a social justice mission Then something happened called a global pandemic

“I don’t know if I was ready,” Ispahani recalled “I mean, the world is burning to the ground, is it the right time to start a business?

“I kind of settled on that there’s never a right time to go for it,” she said with a small laugh “Thankfully, I had support and I was self-funded through savings I definitely decided to see where this takes me ”

It isn’t lost on Ispahani that she has managed to combine a beverage that millions seek comfort in with a social cause term relationship with PHA,” Adams said “Our shared vision of ensuring healthy food access to all steers our work each day at Pair wise As we launch our first products this year and mature as a company, we look for ward to continuing to grow our meaningful work with PHA ”

Partnership for a Healthier America launched in 2010 and collaborates with companies across the supply chain to increase access to and affordability of vegetables and fruits and to improve the nutritional quality of food and beverages, resulting in more and healthier options for families

Pairwise brings together leaders in agriculture, technology, and consumer foods to harness the transformative potential of new genomics technologies to create innovative new products Pairwise is working to develop new varieties of crops and partner with organizations that seek to drive innovation across the plant-based economy

In addition to leafy greens, Pair wise is developing new types of berries, cherries and other produce under its Conscious that makes many people uncomfortable

“I don’t like discomfort,” she said “I don’t like dark issues I don’t want to be a downer

“It may sound cheesy, but I think coffee can be a conduit for change It can take you on a journey, maybe not on the front lines, but it can still make a difference for women ’ s and children’s lives ”

Pairing coffee with a serious social cause invites people to have conversations over a cup of coffee, which can make a serious topic not so scary, Ispahani said

Ispahani hasn’t given up on the idea of having an actual coffee shop, but she’s got lots of other ideas, too

“I’m definitely thinking of expanding in the future,” Ispahani said “I’d like a line of flavored coffee My roaster does CBD coffee – that’s very big in Los Angeles and here

“I love vanilla so maybe a vanilla flavored coffee among other flavors ”

Ispahani is mulling over an idea to have sampler kits and travel packs – “As long as you ’ ve got hot water, you ’ re good to go ”

Recently, she looked into retro-fitted bikes with coffee machines as well as the idea of getting a vintage milk truck that can park at markets or along a beach GN

Foods brand In less than five years, the company has grown to more than 150 employees, with significant growth to continue in 2023 as the company enters the food service and retail channels

Pair wise was founded by Tom Adams and Chief Business Officer Haven Baker, with scientific co-founders J Keith Joung, professor of pathology at Harvard Medical School; David Liu, director of the Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare and vice-chair of the faculty at the Broad Institute of Har vard and MIT; and Feng Zhang, a McGovern Investigator and professor at MIT Partnership for a Healthier America is a p re m i e r n a t i o n a l n o n p ro f i t o rg a n i z a t i o n w o r k i n g t o c re a t e l a s t i n g , s y s t e m i c changes that transform the food landscape in pursuit of health equity PHA develops evidence-based approaches that are implem e n t e d i n p a rt n e r s h i p w i t h t h e p r i v a t e sector, nonprofits and government, levera g i n g P H A’s a s s e t s a n d t h e p a rt n e r ’ s knowledge to accelerate the pace of transformation GN

Stonewall Kitchen’s Hot Honey Wing S auce

With the retur n of warmer weather, there’s no better time to encourage customers to fire up that grill and get to barbecuing

Perfect for summer cookouts, Stonewall Kitchen’s Hot Honey Wing Sauce is a wonderful choice to embolden meats, veggies and more all season long

I d e a l f o r a n y o n e w h o l o v e s s o m e s w e e t h e a t ,

Ariston Infused S alts

this sauce will have taste buds buzzing! H o n e y c o m b i n e s w i t h z i p p y D i j o n m u st a rd , f i e r y c a y e n n e a n d o t h e r z e s t y s p i c e s t o c re a t e a w e l l - ro u n d e d b i t e that’s great as a sticky glaze for wings or cauliflower

Customers will also love it drizzled over pepperoni pizza, served alongside a cheese board or used as a dip for fried food favorites like chicken tenders

Stonewall Kitchen www.stonewallkitchen.com

Pine River’s Mango Hab anero Cold Pack Cheese Spread

Pine River’s Mango Habanero Cold Pack Cheese Spread took first place at the 2023 U S Championship Cheese Contest in the Cold Pack Cheese Spread, Flavored Class This creamy spread brings together the sweetness of mango and the heat of habanero peppers for an addictive sweet and spicy combo! It’s a perfect centerpiece for your next cheese board

Celebrating 60 Years of Cheese Spread

Excellence in 2023, Pine River prides itself on selecting only the highest-quality dairy ingredients for a difference you can taste in our cheese spreads Pine River uses Grade A Wisconsin Cheddar, graded and aged in-house by Licensed Wisconsin Cheese Graders, and award-winning Grade A Butter from a neighboring dairy

Torani Kettle Corn Syrup

New to the flavor industry leader’s portfolio of more than 150 syrups and sauces is

A combination of 9- to 24-month-old Cheddar and specifically formulated whey adds delicious flavor and smooth texture to the spreads Add to this a dedicated staff of cheese spread makers who skillfully craft our cheese spreads into perfection in every batch Pine River offers three styles of cheese spread – Cold Pack, Clean Label and a Shelf-Stable Gourmet Snack Spread – each crafted one batch at a time in a state-of-the art facility in Newton, Wis

Pine River Cheese Spread

800.722.4217 www pineriver com

Try Ariston’s newest arrivals from Greece These gorgeous infused salts come with their own adjustable stainless-steel mill They are both a gourmet food item and a little kitchen tool all in one A must in every kitchen and store counter

They come in the following flavors:

• Plain Sea Salt from Greece

• Greek Salad Infused Sea Salt (beautiful blend of rosemary, oregano and sundried tomato) pairs well with Ariston Select EVOO & Med Herb infused olive oil)

• Garlic & Basil infused sea salt Excellent with Ariston traditional balsamic, caprese salads, cheeses; great with pasta and Italian meat, too; beautiful color as well

• Lemon & Turmeric infused sea salt Excellent with chicken, seafood, rice, potatoes, eggs and anywhere that needs the brightness of lemon flavor and the healthy and earth flavor of turmeric

• Black Sea Salt (sea salt with all natural cuttlefish black ink) Keep your guests guessing what’s your secret ingredient Tastes like sea salt with a subtle hint of seafood Also works excellent as a salt rim for a cocktail and bloody Mary drink

• Smoked Sea Salt Excellent with all meats and seafood It tastes like you have

Fall River Wild Rice

Interest in plants and grains is soaring, as shoppers look for new ways to eat healthy High in protein and fiber, nutty and with a striking visual appeal, wild rice is one of the healthiest grains available It was a staple food of several Native American tribes, who called it “manoomin,” or “precious grain ” been smoking your food for hours without all the work Excellent and bold flavor – a little goes a long way

• Plain Pink Himalayan (from the Himalayan Mountains)

Try them all!

Ariston Specialties 860 263 8498 www.aristonspecialties.com protein goodness in seconds

Torani Kettle Cor n Syrup

Over the last year, Torani observed a rise in flavors dubbed “Sweet and ” that are layered flavor combinations anchored in sweetness and paired with another taste These blends – including sweet and savory, sweet and sour and sweet and spicy – introduce complex sensations into the tasting experience Kettle Cor n is a manifestation of this experience, adjacent to one of the company’s most popular beverage flavors:

Caramel

Torani’s Kettle Cor n Syrup captures the flavor of freshly popped cor n combined with sweet and salty notes It even has a subtle hint of hot oil flavor that's part of the classic kettle cor n experience and a cooked Maillard note that adds a distinctive browned aspect to this starchy, salty and sweet flavor

Kettle Cor n is part of Torani’s Original Syrup line, crafted with natural flavors and cold-filtered water to deliver amazing flavor

Torani

Fall River Wild Rice brings this culinary gem to your store shelf This naturally cultivated wild rice is great in salads, soups and stir fries However, it also works well in mixes for pancakes and muffins and even in chocolate and desserts Fall River’s Fully Cooked Wild Rice is high-

The only cereal grain native to North America, wild rice is not even a rice at all It is the seed of Zizania palustris, a tall, blooming water grass that prospers in the Great Lakes region, as well as in the fruitful valley in the shadows of the Sierra Nevadas and the Rockies Fall River Wild Rice is a small grower-owned cooperative in the Fall River Valley, a rural mountain valley nestled between the Cascade and Sierra Nevada ranges

Fall River Wild Rice

800.626.4366 www fallriverwildrice com

Perry Extra Indulgent Pints

Eighty percent of ice cream users want indulgent experiences, especially in the super-premium category, according to a 2022 Raymond James report Upstate New York’s top ice cream brand is ready for the challenge with an extra-indulgent pint line

This rich, creamy, chuck-full-of-stuff recipe brings heightened luxury to beloved consumer favorites Perry’s full lineup includes 13 extra-indulgent ice cream flavors, and one unique sherbet

The increased butterfat makes for a smoother, creamier, more indulgent ice cream that’s packed with all the “good stuff” Perry’s is known for From chunky brownie dough bites and decadent sea salt truffles to thick chocolate frosting and salty caramel swirls, there’s no shortage of “wow, this is good” after every bite

Perr y’s Ice Cream perr ysicecream com

Ho ward Pro ducts Cutting Bo ard

With Howard’s Cutting Board Cleaner, now the entire cleaning, oiling and conditioning process can be done from products manufactured by the same company, which gives consumers confidence that all three products will work together perfectly Ideal for cleaning and preparing wood surfaces before using Howard Butcher Block Conditioner or Cutting Board Oil

Jake’s Nut Ro asters New Brine & Dill Almonds

a n d x a

H o w a rd ’s C u t t i n g

B o a rd C l e a n e r d o e s not contain bleach or a n y o t h e r h a r s h i ng re d i e n t s t h a t c a n m a k e w o o d e n b o a rd s s o f t a n d gummy, reducing the life of the board

Start selling

Howard Cutting Board Cleaner today! Minimum wholesale orders are only six cases

Howard Products 800.266.9545 www.howardproducts.com

Cedar’s Fo o ds Organic Golden Hour Hommus

Cedar’s Foods, the leading Mediterranean food brand in the natural and organic space, has launched its Organic Grecian Golden Hour Hommus

The zesty hommus, which is available at select Whole Foods stores nationwide, consists of a lemon and oregano base, with a chickpea, herb and

Yerb aé Lemonade and Yuzu Lime

Arizona-based Yerbaé Brands Corp has released two flavors that are on trend: Lemonade and Yuzu Lime

Lemonade is a classic summer favorite, while Yuzu Lime brings a unique, refreshing citrus twist to the line of beverages

Yerbaé's plantbased functional beverages are designed to be simple, clean and delicious with minimal ingredients that provide a boost of energy and a refreshing taste In addition to Lemonade and Yuzu Lime, Yerbaé offers a range of other flavors, including red pepper topping

The hints of oregano throughout are packed with flavor and really add an extra Mediterranean kick It’s the perfect addition to a charcuterie board or picnic spread

Cedar’s Foods www cedarsfoods com

Jake, a fourth-generation member of the Jasper family, is proud to continue the farming traditions of his great-grandfather that have been passed down for over 75 years Jake’s Nut Roasters is pleased to announce its newest flavor to the Jake’s can lineup, Brine & Dill Almonds

Already becoming a consumer favorite, Jake’s Brine & Dill Almonds are bursting with the bold flavors of vinegar and dill They provide a little tanginess with just the right amount of dill pickle flavor, the perfect addition to your snacking routine

These almonds are “Straight from Jake’s Orchard” showcasing the company’s vertical integration and commitment to sustainable growing practices

Jake’s almonds provide the quintessential plant-based protein and make eating this healthy snack both fun and satisfying!

Produced in a dedicated peanut-free facility, these premium Califor nia almonds are dry roasted and seasoned in small batches to deliver exceptional quality Jake’s Nut Roasters 7-ounce cans have a cool, classic appearance that look great on store shelves, kitchen counters and table centerpieces They also make the perfect gift!

A commitment to quality and innovation has propelled many fine Jasper Specialty Foods products into the hands of healthconscious almond lovers around the world

Jasper Specialty Foods

800.255.1641 www.jasperspecialtyfoods.com www jakesnutroasters com

Stonewall Kitchen’s Chimichurri Grille S auce

S s s i c b a r b e c u e t o A s i a n i nspired, its sauces are the s e c re t t o t e n d e r r i b s , j u i c y b r i s k e t , s t i c k y w i n g s a n d s o m u c h m o re J u s t t a k e Chimichurri Grille Sauce: it makes a great pick for p i t m a s t e r s , s a u c e a f icionados and customers

Black Cherry Pineapple and Mango Passionfruit

Harnessing the power of nature, Yerbaé’s celebrity ingredient, yerba mate, is known to produce 196 different vitamins, minerals and nutrients that also produces caffeine All Yerbaé energy beverages are zero calorie, zero sugar, non-GMO and gluten free Yerbaé has expanded into 131 outlets of a large club store chain across 18 states

Yerbaé www yerbae com

Stonewall Kitchen’s Hickory Bro wn Sugar Grille S auce

Passionate about crafting quality condiments that serve to elevate any dish, Stonewall Kitchen makes it its mission to create tasty products ranging from jams to dressings

With its expertise, your customers can now grill like the greats with sauces that will make every meal sizzle

Sure to please any pit- master, Hickory Brown Sugar Grille Sauce features the deeply complex flavors of classic barbecue It’s an ideal companion for meats and more with its notes of smoked hickory wood that come together with brown sugar, Dijon mustard, cider vinegar and spices Your customers will enjoy it brushed over flame-broiled chicken, slow-cooked with pork or used as a glaze for ribs

Stonewall Kitchen www stonewallkitchen com who want to add a bit of inter national flair to all sorts of dishes

A fresh take on a South American staple, this chimichurri sauce features a bright, herby mix of parsley and cilantro that’s then blended with oil, vinegar, garlic and red pepper flakes Traditionally spooned over steak and other grilled meats, it also adds an herbaceous kick when tossed with roasted veggies or mixed with mayo to create a snazzy sandwich spread

Stonewall Kitchen www stonewallkitchen com

Dave’s Organic Snack Bars

Dave’s Organic Snack Bars can satisfy any sweet tooth yet are still power packed with quality ingredients, fiber and nutrition to fuel your day

The snack bars come in three flavors:

•Cocoa Brownie Blitz is a vegan bar packed with organic chocolate chunks and Dave’s signature mix of seeds, serving up 16g whole grains and 6g fiber

•Trail Mix Crumble delivers all the flavor of the classic energy boosting fuel of organic chocolate chunks, fruits, almond butter and seeds while packing 19g whole grains and 5g fiber

•Oat-rageous Honey Almond packs a whopping 22g whole grains and 5g fiber with simple ingredients including organic rolled oats, organic honey and organic dry roasted almonds

Like all Dave’s Killer Bread nationally available offerings, Organic Snack Bars are Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and contain no artificial in- gredients, artificial preservatives, colors or flavors They are free of high fructose corn syrup and bleached flour The 4-bar boxes retail for $5 99, while individual bars retail for $1 99 Dave’s Killer Bread Organic Snack Bars will be available at select grocery outlets nationwide as well as on Amazo

Dave’s Killer Bread www daveskillerbread com