5 Earth-Friendly Food Finds

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A few weeks ago was the insanity and the gluttony that is the fabulous Summer Fancy Food Show here in NYC. This year I focused on finding at least 5 Earth-friendly Food Products to highlight here.

I did arrive at the show focused. However, it is easy to get distracted into endless tastings of the finest cheeses, chocolate, chips, and beverages. And that’s not even scraping the surface.

There is no way to accurately describe two days filled with endless food tasting. Every year, I try to pace myself. Consequently taking extremely small bites and mostly eating only one half or one-quarter of a sample. Additionally, if I am walking the floor with a friend, we share one sample.

Regardless, by the first two hours of this three-day food feast, I’m full. Water drinking and rest breaks ensue. Then, roll home with bags of samples. Rinse and repeat for the days of the show. I know. But someone has to do it.

At the Fancy Food Show, companies come from all over the world to showcase their existing and new products. Germany was this year’s partner for the show. consequently, their section was bigger than usual.

I covered as much of the show as I could. Here are the five eco-friendly products I managed to find.

Better Beautiful Food Storage

These beautiful and functional Z Wraps immediately caught my eye. Created by Michelle Zimora, Z Wraps are the eco-friendly solution to keep your bread, sandwiches, snacks, veggies, leftovers, and hard cheeses fresher, for longer. With cotton fabrics in signature designs, these sustainable, washable wraps are handcrafted with organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and tree resin.

Z Wraps keep leftovers in the refrigerator fresh and make it possible to wrap everything in your lunchbox without plastic bags or plastic wrap, and with none of the hassle of trying to match tops to containers. They also are great for wrapping food to bring to a friend’s house and then leaving them as a gift to use over and over again. Z Wraps are easy to wash with cool water and mild soap. 

Icelandic Sustainable Sea Salt

Saltverk Flaky sea salt is a crunchy, mineral-fresh Icelandic sea salt produced using only energy from geothermal hot springs in the northwest of Iceland. Their salt making method is based on the 17th-century old method practiced as well in Reykjanes. Geothermal energy is the sole energy source used, which means that during the whole process they leave zero carbon footprints on the environment.

Their salt making method is based on the 17th-century old method practiced as well in Reykjanes. Geothermal energy is the sole energy source used, which means that during the whole process they leave zero carbon footprints on the environment.

The salt’s raw material is the pristine, clean seawater of the Westfjords.
To produce our salt, we only use green, geothermal energy from the region’s hot geysers. It is the only artisanal salt in the world produced with 100% geothermal energy. The salt is also richer in important minerals than other sea salts.

I tasted all of the flavors Saltverk offers. All are swoon worthy. However, since I have a weakness for licorice, that one was a standout. Also memorable the birch smoked salt and the Arctic thyme salt.

Better Charcoal

Prime 6 charcoal does not chop down trees to make the briquettes. They collect sawdust – what would otherwise be waste and re-purpose it, compressing it into a hexagon-shaped mold and carbonize until each bar reaches over 90% pure carbon. No additives or chemicals are added.

Each bar has 4 hours of burn time and uses 30% less charcoal. There is no messy cleanup, Prime 6 consumes itself completely leaving your grill with zero ash.

The product’s unique hexagon shape with the hole running through it allows air circulation to flow nonstop for even heat distribution throughout the bar no matter how you place it.

Good for You and the Planet Pops

GoodPop All-Natural Frozen Pops are made with all-natural, organic and locally sourced ingredients. The pops contain fresh fruit, 100% organic and fair trade cane sugar (organic evaporated cane juice) and nothing artificial. The pops are made in small batches to ensure that perfect, mouthwatering taste.

The “Good” in the name isn’t just about the product’s ingredients or the way they taste, it’s about the company’s commitment to using our products as a vehicle to do social Good. GoodPop has partnered with countless non-profits and organizations, including Livestrong, American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, World Food Program USA, Whole Planet Foundation, and the Houston Food Bank, among others.

I’ve tasted several flavors and can say they are definitely delicious. Goodpops are OU Kosher and come in a variety of flavors and, non-dairy, vegan, gluten-free options. They are lo-cal. Non-dairy are 40-70 calories and Dairy-based pops are 80-120 calories.

Planet-Friendly Provisions

Most of you know Patagonia as the outdoor clothing and accessories company. Patagonia Provisions is about finding solutions to repair the food chain. They offer a growing selection of foods that address environmental issues, and continue to encourage support of local food producers.

Patagonia Provisions says they are in business to save the home planet. The company offers a variety of sustainable food items from seafood to snacks.

In addition, the company shares with thousands of people in need. They donate to various food banks and has provided 10,000 meals for hurricane relive in Florida. On Black Friday 2016, the company donated 100% of its profits totally $10 million to grassroots organizations. working to create positive change for the planet in their own backyards. the company is determined to defend our world’s climate, air, water, and soil.

Check out their film, Unbroken Ground which explores  four areas of agriculture that aim to change our relationship to the land and oceans. The film tells the story of four groups that are pioneers in the fields of regenerative agriculture, regenerative grazing, diversified crop development and restorative fishing.

So that’s a (Z) wrap for this year’s Summer Fancy Food Show. I hope to have recovered from my food coma in time for next year’s show.