Since our inception, we have chosen to exclusively use ingredients that are USDA certified organic. This is a non-negotiable.
These foods are never irradiated and are produced without the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s), relatively recent technologies without sufficient research proving their safety. The certification also confirms food is produced without the use of persistent pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or sewage sludge. Not only do these substances use energy and resources in their production, they also contribute to soil degradation and ocean dead zones. Without organic certification, there is no way to prove that organic practices were used.
Read more about USDA Organic
SUSTAINABILITY
There are no guidelines regarding the word (or any variant of the word) “sustainable.” Without any certification program, there is no proof needed to make the claim that a company or product is sustainable. When we speak about our sustainability, we are speaking of our ecosystem-based business model.
Read more about misleading terms.
FARMS WE WORK WITH
Because we manufacture raw, non-homogenized products, the bottled beverage is only as good as the ingredients that go inside. Forming partnerships with communities that value quality and organic farming practices is rooted in our attention to long-term growth. These partnerships offer a stable option for employment and income where there once was none.
FARMS WE WILL WORK WITH
Happily, our promise of a long-term presence is acting as an incentive to others. We are in a position to help certify farmers who convert to organic farming methods and are approved through audit. This creates healthier environments with less chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and communities with long-term steady incomes.
SOCIAL INITIATIVES
Harmless Harvest is currently in the Fair for Life certification process and began implementing the required protocols with the launch of our first project. Our manufacturing and business operations are certified both in the US and overseas. We are now working with our numerous farmers to ensure successful audits in 2014.
Our aim is not to just stick a label on a package and write a press release, but rather to find an expert partner. The partnership with Fair for Life requires long-term audits that will help us continuously improve our social practices from plant to shelf. The audits certify fair sourcing practices, traceability of all certified products, and that all members of a company’s staff have decent working conditions. We look forward to sharing our yearly reviews and itemized annual goals with all our stakeholders. Being responsible means being accountable.
For ingredients that are not under our direct sourcing control, like honey and agave, we look for proof of third party Fair Trade certification. The communities who produced these goods were fairly compensated and had access to the Fair Trade organization’s resources. Funds go to community development projects such as teaching sustainable farming practices.
We take the responsibility of making food and beverages seriously. Without owning or having clear controls over the supply chain, there is no true transparency, there is only what people are saying and the assumption of trust.
As we grow, we are able to take on more ownership, leaving the responsibility squarely on us. In 2013, we took an important step by building a facility in the heart of our coconut farmland. This location allows us to oversee vital steps in our production cycle and adds value to the area by developing employment opportunities for the surrounding communities.
An integral part of the manufacturing process actually happens after bottling our organic ingredients. Using High Pressure Processing means the products we work so hard to source are never heated or sterilized, protecting the delicate flavor and aroma compounds from plant to shelf.
HIGH PRESSURE PROCESSING
High Pressure Processing, or HPP, is an FDA-approved technique that has been used for decades with various products. This technique utilizes heatless isostatic pressure to inhibit the growth of natural microflora, such as probiotic lactobacilli, and kill aerobic pathogens. Bottled products are placed in a water bath and submitted to tens of thousands of pounds pressure, dispersed evenly throughout the cells of the cold water and products. HPP allows for an extended refrigerated shelf-life, while maintaining the flavor, aroma, and nutrition of the raw product.
ATTENTION:
Making our raw, highly-perishable products requires best-in-class manufacturing practices with full control of the supply chain to ensure a superior product. This means that to maintain quality and prevent spoilage or souring, our products must ALWAYS be kept refrigerated. If you are pregnant or immunocompromised, we strongly urge you to follow your doctor’s recommendations. We take every precaution in making our products safe, as well as delicious. That being said, raw products (produce included) are not sterile, and it is best to listen to your doctor and to your instincts. Read more tips from the FDA for Moms-to-be.
RETAIL PARTNERS
Lasting relationships with retailers and distributors is a vital part of maintaining a healthy business. Pioneering natural foods retailers such as co-ops, independent natural markets, and progressive-minded chains such as Whole Foods Market have believed in our vision and share in our ideals. They have supported us through our growing pains. Without an advertising budget, we rely on word of mouth from our customers as well as distribution and retail partners. We depend on store team members to help educate people about what makes our products different. We would not be successful without their efforts.
LESS ADVERTISING, MORE EXPLANATIONS
There are always questions when a completely new product is launched: What is it? How is it different? Why should I drink this? When our coconut water hit the shelves, it was the only bottle that required refrigeration. It was also the only beverage that varied in color and was still perfectly delicious and safe to drink. The challenge in educating people on these details is one that we enjoy because we believe in our products.
PLASTIC
We don’t think there are any perfect packaging options. Our products are currently packaged in PET1 BPA-Free plastic because we use HPP. We believe this is the best way to make our raw products available to individuals across the United States.
There are many options for packaging, and we considered them all. Glass breaks easily, and it takes immense amounts of energy to create and transport. Aseptic packaging requires heat in its processing and is not recyclable in most municipals. Both of these options would also be crushed under HPP’s pressure. PLA or bio-plastics, packaging derived from biomaterials like cornstarch, not only take food from the table, but are also GMO and pesticide-ridden, offsetting any organic efforts a company makes.
We believe that finding a great solution is more important than a fast solution. Rather than quickly using packaging only partially made from post-consumer plastic, we want changes that reflect the reality of our ideals. This is why we have been working to switch to rPET 100% Post-Consumer plastic. Making this change while maintaining quality is not as simple as it sounds, but it is important to ensure a truly sustainable raw material. Stay tuned for news on this front!
PERISHABLE
There is a huge disconnect today that we are working to bridge: fresh = perishable. Our products can and will spoil, as should all whole, truly natural foods. Coconut water does not belong in the potato chip aisle, and neither do the rest of our products. They need to be kept cold or that spoilage will happen very quickly. If it doesn’t go bad, there was nothing good there in the first place.
PINK
Those familiar with whole coconuts know that a pink hue can be a sign of oxidation and spoilage. All of our coconut water is completely clear when bottled. After bottling, the color simply signals antioxidants interacting with light. Variation is (more than) normal in nature, but everyone thought we were crazy to put pink bottles on the shelf. Rather than change the product, we decided to educate people and trust that they would understand. We hope we’re paving the way for the acceptance of variability, and reconnection with the truth that nature comes in many colors.
NUTRITIONAL CLAIMS
Out of caution and respect, we prefer not to make any unsupported claims on the nutrition, ‘effects’, and abilities of our products. The nutritional labeling on our bottles reflects our unique products. While we have varying levels with every day’s harvest, we regularly test our nutritional composition to ensure that we are within respectable boundaries.
Since our inception, we have chosen to exclusively use ingredients that are USDA certified organic. This is a non-negotiable.
These foods are never irradiated and are produced without the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s), relatively recent technologies without sufficient research proving their safety. The certification also confirms food is produced without the use of persistent pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or sewage sludge. Not only do these substances use energy and resources in their production, they also contribute to soil degradation and ocean dead zones. Without organic certification, there is no way to prove that organic practices were used.
Read more about USDA Organic
SUSTAINABILITY
There are no guidelines regarding the word (or any variant of the word) “sustainable.” Without any certification program, there is no proof needed to make the claim that a company or product is sustainable. When we speak about our sustainability, we are speaking of our ecosystem-based business model.
Read more about misleading terms.
FARMS WE WORK WITH
Because we manufacture raw, non-homogenized products, the bottled beverage is only as good as the ingredients that go inside. Forming partnerships with communities that value quality and organic farming practices is rooted in our attention to long-term growth. These partnerships offer a stable option for employment and income where there once was none.
FARMS WE WILL WORK WITH
Happily, our promise of a long-term presence is acting as an incentive to others. We are in a position to help certify farmers who convert to organic farming methods and are approved through audit. This creates healthier environments with less chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and communities with long-term steady incomes.
SOCIAL INITIATIVES
Harmless Harvest is currently in the Fair for Life certification process and began implementing the required protocols with the launch of our first project. Our manufacturing and business operations are certified both in the US and overseas. We are now working with our numerous farmers to ensure successful audits in 2014.
Our aim is not to just stick a label on a package and write a press release, but rather to find an expert partner. The partnership with Fair for Life requires long-term audits that will help us continuously improve our social practices from plant to shelf. The audits certify fair sourcing practices, traceability of all certified products, and that all members of a company’s staff have decent working conditions. We look forward to sharing our yearly reviews and itemized annual goals with all our stakeholders. Being responsible means being accountable.
For ingredients that are not under our direct sourcing control, like honey and agave, we look for proof of third party Fair Trade certification. The communities who produced these goods were fairly compensated and had access to the Fair Trade organization’s resources. Funds go to community development projects such as teaching sustainable farming practices.
We take the responsibility of making food and beverages seriously. Without owning or having clear controls over the supply chain, there is no true transparency, there is only what people are saying and the assumption of trust.
As we grow, we are able to take on more ownership, leaving the responsibility squarely on us. In 2013, we took an important step by building a facility in the heart of our coconut farmland. This location allows us to oversee vital steps in our production cycle and adds value to the area by developing employment opportunities for the surrounding communities.
An integral part of the manufacturing process actually happens after bottling our organic ingredients. Using High Pressure Processing means the products we work so hard to source are never heated or sterilized, protecting the delicate flavor and aroma compounds from plant to shelf.
HIGH PRESSURE PROCESSING
High Pressure Processing, or HPP, is an FDA-approved technique that has been used for decades with various products. This technique utilizes heatless isostatic pressure to inhibit the growth of natural microflora, such as probiotic lactobacilli, and kill aerobic pathogens. Bottled products are placed in a water bath and submitted to tens of thousands of pounds pressure, dispersed evenly throughout the cells of the cold water and products. HPP allows for an extended refrigerated shelf-life, while maintaining the flavor, aroma, and nutrition of the raw product.
ATTENTION:
Making our raw, highly-perishable products requires best-in-class manufacturing practices with full control of the supply chain to ensure a superior product. This means that to maintain quality and prevent spoilage or souring, our products must ALWAYS be kept refrigerated. If you are pregnant or immunocompromised, we strongly urge you to follow your doctor’s recommendations. We take every precaution in making our products safe, as well as delicious. That being said, raw products (produce included) are not sterile, and it is best to listen to your doctor and to your instincts. Read more tips from the FDA for Moms-to-be.
RETAIL PARTNERS
Lasting relationships with retailers and distributors is a vital part of maintaining a healthy business. Pioneering natural foods retailers such as co-ops, independent natural markets, and progressive-minded chains such as Whole Foods Market have believed in our vision and share in our ideals. They have supported us through our growing pains. Without an advertising budget, we rely on word of mouth from our customers as well as distribution and retail partners. We depend on store team members to help educate people about what makes our products different. We would not be successful without their efforts.
LESS ADVERTISING, MORE EXPLANATIONS
There are always questions when a completely new product is launched: What is it? How is it different? Why should I drink this? When our coconut water hit the shelves, it was the only bottle that required refrigeration. It was also the only beverage that varied in color and was still perfectly delicious and safe to drink. The challenge in educating people on these details is one that we enjoy because we believe in our products.
PLASTIC
We don’t think there are any perfect packaging options. Our products are currently packaged in PET1 BPA-Free plastic because we use HPP. We believe this is the best way to make our raw products available to individuals across the United States.
There are many options for packaging, and we considered them all. Glass breaks easily, and it takes immense amounts of energy to create and transport. Aseptic packaging requires heat in its processing and is not recyclable in most municipals. Both of these options would also be crushed under HPP’s pressure. PLA or bio-plastics, packaging derived from biomaterials like cornstarch, not only take food from the table, but are also GMO and pesticide-ridden, offsetting any organic efforts a company makes.
We believe that finding a great solution is more important than a fast solution. Rather than quickly using packaging only partially made from post-consumer plastic, we want changes that reflect the reality of our ideals. This is why we have been working to switch to rPET 100% Post-Consumer plastic. Making this change while maintaining quality is not as simple as it sounds, but it is important to ensure a truly sustainable raw material. Stay tuned for news on this front!
PERISHABLE
There is a huge disconnect today that we are working to bridge: fresh = perishable. Our products can and will spoil, as should all whole, truly natural foods. Coconut water does not belong in the potato chip aisle, and neither do the rest of our products. They need to be kept cold or that spoilage will happen very quickly. If it doesn’t go bad, there was nothing good there in the first place.
PINK
Those familiar with whole coconuts know that a pink hue can be a sign of oxidation and spoilage. All of our coconut water is completely clear when bottled. After bottling, the color simply signals antioxidants interacting with light. Variation is (more than) normal in nature, but everyone thought we were crazy to put pink bottles on the shelf. Rather than change the product, we decided to educate people and trust that they would understand. We hope we’re paving the way for the acceptance of variability, and reconnection with the truth that nature comes in many colors.
NUTRITIONAL CLAIMS
Out of caution and respect, we prefer not to make any unsupported claims on the nutrition, ‘effects’, and abilities of our products. The nutritional labeling on our bottles reflects our unique products. While we have varying levels with every day’s harvest, we regularly test our nutritional composition to ensure that we are within respectable boundaries.
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