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By Artisan's Way Organics

Arriba Nacional is an ancient cacao variety that traces its lineage back 5300 years to the earliest known domesticated cacao trees and is found in the volcanic mountainous regions of Ecuador. This variety was so coveted by European fine chocolatiers for its fruity taste and floral aroma that Ecuador was the world’s number one exporter of cacao throughout the 1800’s. In 1916 and 1919 diseases wiped out the crops and it was thought that this variety was lost forever. It wasn’t until 2009 that the Nacional variety was rediscovered and brought back from the brink. Today, Ecuador only supplies 4% of the world’s cacao but it has become the #1 exporter of “fine flavor” cacao in the world again thanks to the Nacional and Criollo varieties.

Arriba Raw Chocolate uses only beans of the Arriba Criollo variety. This is a hybrid of the Nacional variety and the Criollo variety which is another rare heirloom cacao grown in South America...

Canada's largest plant-based event, Planted Expo Vancouver, is thrilled to announce that it is presented by Boosh Food, plant-based comfort food you can feel good about.

Boosh was created for one simple reason. They wanted to help health-conscious consumers meet their goals by providing convenient plant-based meals for people who found it difficult to prepare meals from scratch.

Now, there is a way to comfortably have a fun and conscious lifestyle without having to inspect every meal for gluten, animal-based, or GMO-based ingredients. Boosh Foods has a line of products made for every person and occasion, click here to find it in-store.

Welcome to Boosh Food and be sure to check them out at Planted Expo in Vancouver!

Connect with Boosh Food

Website | Instagram | Facebook

A new order from the provincial health office will require individuals to provide proof of vaccination to access a broad range of social, recreational, and discretionary events and businesses throughout the province including events like Planted Expo, starting September 13, 2021.

The health and safety of the Planted Expo exhibitors, sponsors, staff, and attendees are our first priority. Therefore, Planted Expo on November 20-21, 2021 is required to implement a mandatory vaccination policy effective August 23, 2021, requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all attendees 12 years of age and up. 

Planted Expo has a duty to provide and maintain a safe environment. This order is designed to safeguard the health of our employees and their families, our exhibitors, event attendees, and the community at large from infectious diseases that is reduced by vaccinations. The executive leadership team regularly reviews recommendations from B.C. Centre for Disease Control,...

By Spencer Angeltvedt, Co-founder of Loa Skin

What does it mean to be palm-oil free?

Hiding in virtually all cosmetics, packaged foods, cleaning products, and even biodiesel—palm oil has secretly found its way into packaged goods and numerous industries across the globe.

Palm oil has quickly become the most widely used vegetable oil. While at first glance palm oil seems harmless, it has in fact bred one of the most environmentally destructive and morally corrupt industries on Earth.

Here’s why.

Palm oil is cheap to produce. It’s 10 times cheaper than soy—a once-industry leader. Palm oil’s incredibly high global demand has directly affected a few large islands in Indonesia and Malaysia where It’s mainly produced.

While little-known to the Western world, these islands consist of Sumatra, Borneo, and West Papua (of New Guinea), and contain some of the oldest and most biodiverse rainforests. Borneo, in particular, is the third largest island in...

By Nareena Switlo, Co-founder, Naledo

How to shop for sustainable and ethical spices. 

It’s time to look at your spices! We all want fresh, natural, and sustainably sourced spices… but that is hard to figure out when you are looking at labels on the grocery store shelf!

When we launched Naledo we were shocked to learn about the journey most of our spices take to get into our pantries. Spices can trade hands many times before being packaged. The result can be poor taste, additives (like sawdust and lead in turmeric powder), damage to our environment, and impoverished farmers.  

Let’s look at our favourite spice, turmeric. Some farmers are paid as little $0.24 for 1kg of fresh turmeric root. By the time it gets to the store shelf in powder form it can be $105 for 1kg. 

So what can we do to support a more equitable supply chain that empowers farmers rather than keeping them in poverty?

Our Top 5 Tips to Spotting a Great Spice Brands: 

By Justo's Craft Dips

Running a business with a focus on sustainability and community impact is challenging. But, for the group of young entrepreneurs behind Justo’s Craft Dips it’s oh-so rewarding.

It’s been just over two years since Justo started delivering his home-made dips in paper cups to his friends via an Instagram page. Starting this business as a group of 22 year olds with no business or food industry experience may have been an eyebrow raising move. However, it’s a decision that has yet to be regretted. Justo’s continues to make waves and disrupt the west-coast dip world.

The points below are tied to the values we hold as individuals, and as the leaders of our business. Our vision is to leave our mark on the landscape of consumer packaged goods – building a new industry standard that prioritizes extended producer responsibility, environmental stewardship and community impact.

Support for Vulnerable Community Members

Together,...

By Corks By Design

When it comes to vegan wallets and handbags, it can be a challenge to find a vegan, sustainable, durable, water resistant, light, soft and unique. All the things you want in vegan fashion.

Cork by Design has the Perfect CORK WALLET for you.

How can the bark of a cork tree is transformed into cork fabric?

After being harvested, the cork bark is left to air dry for six months. Then it’s boiled and steamed to get even more elasticity. Heat and pressure are applied to cork to press it into blocks, which are later sliced in thin sheets that can be transformed into a multitude of wonderful cork fabric accessories. Unlike the heavy chemical processing of leather, CORK FABRIC production is chemical-free!

Cork Fabric is Wear and Tear Resistant

Cork wallets are very sturdy and will last you a lifetime, even if you carry them daily in your jeans’ pocket. Thanks to its honeycomb structure, cork is highly abrasion resistant and has a high friction coefficient....

By Tubify

Plant-based and vegan diets have become super trendy, but what's actually the difference between the two?

The breakdown is; Vegan diets eliminate all animal products entirely, while plant-based diets focus on eating mostly plants, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

Vegan

As we mentioned above, people who live a vegan lifestyle do not consume any animal products in their diet and bring that into their entire life as well by avoiding products or purchasing clothing, etc. that uses animal products, or tests on animals.

Vegan foods include;

• Vegetables
• Fruit
• Nuts and Seeds
• Whole Grains
• Beans and Legumes
• Anything that does not contain animal products!

Plant-Based

Plant-based diets mean the person is choosing to eat whole foods, meaning the food has undergone little – if any – processing and is as close to its natural state as possible.

Which one is right for you?

Whichever one you feel good and vibrant on! There is no one...

By AlgaBloom International

Inflammation is an essential part of the immune system's response to injury and infection. But if it goes on too long or occurs in places where it is not needed, it can become a problem. [4]

It’s called chronic inflammation and has been linked to diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.[1]

Spirulina is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatories found in nature. So how does this 3.6 billion year-old blue-green microalgae manage this feat?

The answer is the miracle blue protein pigment called Phycocyanin. It’s the “blue” in the blue-green algae and is one of the main active components in Spirulina. Phycocyanin fights free radicals and inhibits the production of inflammatory signaling molecules thereby providing impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.[2]

Spirulina is also a source of Omega-3 - another important factor in reducing inflammation.
In...

For Immediate Release 

Canada’s national vegan magazine joins forces with Canada’s vegan exhibition giant in a unique venture and collaboration. 

Vancouver, BC—Canadian Vegan Magazine and Planted Expo are excited to announce their collaboration on the production of two yearly special editions of the magazine, which will be distributed exclusively to the first 10,000 people at each Planted Expo in Vancouver and Toronto. 

These special editions will contain exclusive Planted Expo content, along with contributions from well known figures in the Canadian vegan space—much like what readers of the magazine have come to expect and love, such as mouth-watering recipes. 

Planted Expo Vancouver is taking place November 20 and 21, 2021. Toronto will host the event March 26  and 27, 2022. Canadian Vegan Magazine’s editor-in-chief, Nia Seney, and Co-owner Karen Olenik, will be  present at both events. 

“We’re excited...