In the Aisle: Using business as a force for good means celebrating diversity

As the United States grows more and more diverse, and as consumers increasingly awaken to long-held racial inequities across nearly all sectors of U.S. business and society, the natural products industry is stepping up to become more inclusive in both its makeup and in who it serves. Investors and retailers will continue supporting diverse entrepreneurs, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because diverse founders have had the most exciting brand and product launches of the year.

In addition to powerful brand launches and voices, in 2021 we also saw a range of amazing networking groups, accelerators and investing options for BIPOC-owned entrepreneurs, including J.E.D.I Collaborative, Project Potluck, Our Fair Share and New Voices Foundation. In 2022, we expect to see more resources and retail support funneled into diverse businesses. The result: a better, more inclusive industry that serves all people.

A Dozen Cousins Spanish Yellow Rice Cooked in Bone Broth

This flavorful rice is cooked using real chicken bone broth instead of water, giving each serving 7g of collagen-rich protein. A Dozen Cousins provides an annual grant and volunteer support to non-profit organizations that are working to eliminate these socio-economic health disparities in the U.S. including The Happy Kitchen and LA Community Fridges. 100% of the A Dozen Cousins team comes from a minority or multiethnic background, and 80% of the team is either Black or Latino.
SRP: $3.49 per pouch | Booth: N1118 | Virtual Booth  

Related:In the Aisle: The continued rise of beauty from within

Fila Manila Banana Ketchup — 2022 NEXTY Award winner

Fila Manila reimagined a historic and nostalgic Phillipine condiment in its banana ketchup, a common condiment across the island nation. The rich scarlet color comes from plant-based sources like beetroot and annatto. Other banana ketchups in the market, typically imported, are loaded with fake colors, flavors and sugars.  Fila Manila banana ketchup contains no artificial colors or flavors, has zero sugar added, and is naturally gluten free and vegan.
SRP: $9.99 | Booth: N2019 | Virtual Booth

African Dream Foods Sweet Dream Sauce

This gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free and Halal certified sauce with a chutney consistency is meant for cheese boards, grilled meats and the classic South African dish of snoek—a fish—with potatoes, garlic, onions, tomatoes and herbs. As with all African Dream products, African animals are featured on the labels and a portion of proceeds from every bottle goes toward wildlife conservation organizations.
SRP: $5.95 | Booth: 143 | Virtual Booth

Good Food For Good Organic Plant-Based Bolognese Sauce

Pumpkin and hemp seeds provide the protein in this organic, plant-based Bolognese sauce, the first of its kind relying on seeds for protein. Good Food For Good is a registered B Corp and a Buy One Feed One venture—with the purchase of every single bottle, Good Food For Good donates a meal to food banks across the world to help end world hunger.
SRP $10.99 | Booth: N2006 | Virtual Booth