Health and wellness is one of the fastest-growing categories in today's conventional supermarket. Almost every aisle and section has felt some sort of impact. It is also one of the more diverse, with a significant number of small manufacturers. Likewise, products are particularly prone to a degree of government or industry oversight. And due to the science- and spiritual-based nature of these products, there is also a higher-than-average need for education - both consumer and retailer. The following list of information and regulatory sources is designed to serve as a guidepost for store operators: Thinking about having stores organically certified? Check under "Organic Certification/Standards." Want to cut in a gluten-free section or run a heart health promotion? Scroll down through "Pharmacy & Nutrition Resources." Animal rights groups protesting the lack of cage-free eggs in stores? Look under "Food Activism."
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The largest association of dietitians and nutrition professionals in the United States.
Ronald S. Moen, Chief Executive Officer
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606
800.877.1600
www.eatright.org
American Heart Association
A nonprofit that seeks to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and stroke through research, education and marketing efforts.
M. Cass Wheeler, Chief Executive Officer
7272 Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX 75231
214.373.6300
www.americanheart.org
American Pharmacists Association
The largest professional association of pharmacists in the United States. Website includes searchable journals for APhA members, as well as media advisories and government affairs updates.
James Appleby, Vice President of Professional Education & Industry Relations
2215 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20037
202.628.4410
www.aphanet.org
American Public Health Association
Oldest and largest association of public health professionals in the world, representing 50,000 members from 50 different public health fields.
Georges C. Benjamin, Executive Director
800 I St. NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.777.2742
www.apha.org
Celiac Sprue Association
A nonprofit dedicated to helping gluten-intolerant individuals through research and education. Website contains information about gluten-free foods, as well as recipes and other resources.
Mary Schluckebier, Executive Director
P.O. Box 31700
Omaha, NE 68131
402.558.0600
www.csaceliacs.org
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services tasked with assuring health care security, choices and program awareness among Medicare and Medicaid recipients.
Mark B. McClellan, Administrator
7500 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21244
410.786.3000
www.cms.hhs.gov
FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration division responsible for approving and regulating prescription and OTC pharmaceuticals.
Steven Galson, Director
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20852
301.827.4570
www.fda.gov
www.fda.gov/cder
FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration division responsible for approving, regulating, labeling and overseeing recalls of food, cosmetics and supplements.
Robert E. Brackett, Director
Industry Affairs Office
5100 Paint Branch Parkway
College Park, MD 20740
301.436.2600
www.fda.gov
www.cfsan.fda.gov
Food Marketing Institute
Trade group for food retailers and wholesalers. Research, training and industry advocacy efforts include food safety and nutrition projects, as well as an active pharmacy committee and program.
Tim Hammonds, President & Chief Executive Officer
655 15th St. NW
Washington, DC 20005
202.452.8444
www.fmi.org
GMDC (General Merchandise Distributors Council)
Trade, conference and educational group for the general merchandise and health & beauty care products industries.
Dave McConnell Jr., President & Chief Executive Officer
1275 Lake Plaza Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
719.576.4260
www.gmdc.org
Institute of Food Technologists
A nonprofit scientific society with 22,000 members working in food science, food technology and related fields.
Margaret Lawson, President
525 W. Van Buren, Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60607
312.782.8424
www.ift.org
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
Trade association representing the suppliers and retailers of the pharmacy industry. Website includes resources such as the new Chain Drug Industry Guide.
Edith A. Rosato, Senior Vice President, Pharmacy Affairs
413 North Lee St.P.O. Box 1417-D49Alexandria, VA 22313
703.549.3001
www.nacds.org
National Community Pharmacists Association
Trade group representing independent pharmacy owners, managers and employees. Offers several continuing education programs.
Bruce Roberts, Executive Vice President
100 Daingerfield Road
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.683.8200
www.ncpanet.org
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
The National Institutes of Health division tasked with educating patients, health care professionals and the general public about digestive diseases and food allergies. Website includes an encyclopedic reference guide, U.S. statistics and links to patient organizations.
Griffin P. Rodgers, Director
2 Information Way Bethesda, MD 20892
800.891.5389
digestive.niddk.nih.gov
USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion
The U.S. Department of Agriculture division responsible for coordinating federal nutrition education efforts, often by developing tools such as the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPyramid.com.
Eric Hentges, Director
3101 Park Center Drive, Suite 1034
Alexandria, VA 22302
703.305.7600
www.usda.gov/cnpp
www.mypyramid.gov
www.nutrition.gov
www.nal.usda.gov/fnic
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Federal agency that oversees the Food and Drug Administration and administers Medicare, Medicaid and numerous other public health programs. Department affiliated websites include a wealth of links to health news, professional databases and authoritative features on medical topics.
Mike Leavitt, Secretary
200 Independence Ave. SWWashington, DC 20201202.619.0257
www.health.gov
www.hhs.gov
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
U.S. Pharmacopeia
The official public standards-setting authority for prescription and OTC medicines, dietary supplements, and other health care products manufactured and sold in the United States.
Roger L. Williams, Executive Vice President
& Chief Executive Officer
12601 Twinbrook Parkway Rockville, MD 20852
301.881.0666
www.usp.org
FRESH FOOD TRADE GROUPS AND MARKETING RESOURCES
Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
A partnership between Alaska's seafood industry and state government that organizes collaborative marketing programs with retailers and food-service operations throughout the United States.
Larry Andrews, Retail Marketing Director
Marketing Office
150 Nickerson St., Suite 310 Seattle, WA 98109
206.352.8920
www.alaskaseafood.org
American Egg Board
Trade group that develops marketing and education campaigns to build demand for eggs and egg products.
Joanne C. Ivy, Senior Vice President, Industry & Market Development
1460 Renaissance Drive
Park Ridge, IL 60068
847.296.7043
www.aeb.org
Dairy Management Inc.
American dairy checkoff program geared toward building demand for dairy producers. Subsidiaries include the National Dairy Council and the American Dairy Association.
Tom Gallagher,
Chief Executive Officer
10255 West Higgins Road
Rosemont, IL 60018
800.853.2479
www.dairyinfo.com
www.ilovecheese.com
www.nationaldairycouncil.org
www.gotmilk.com
International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association
Trade group for dairy, deli and bakery owners and operators. Website includes resources on issues such as trans fats, food allergen labeling, and other nutritional trends.
Carol Christison,
Executive Director
P.O. Box 5528
Madison, WI 53705
608.310.5000
www.iddba.org
International Dairy Foods Association
Organization representing the nation's dairy processing and manufacturing industries and their suppliers.
Connie Tipton, President & Chief Executive Officer
1250 H St. NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005
202.737.4332
www.idfa.org
National Cattlemen's Beef Association
Checkoff sponsored program conducts research and develops marketing programs for the U.S. beef industry.
Randy Irion, Director of Retail Marketing
9110 East Nichols Ave., Suite 300
Centennial, CO 80112
312.467.5520
www.beef.org
www.beefretail.org
National Chicken Council
Chicken industry trade and lobbying group whose promotional efforts include the annual "September is National Chicken Month."
George B. Watts, President
1015 15th St. NW, Suite 930
Washington, DC 20005
202.296.2622
www.nationalchickencouncil.com
www.eatchicken.com
National Fisheries Institute
Trade and lobbying group for the seafood industry. Website offers consumption statistics, a variety of links to related industry groups, recipes and tips on seafood's role in good nutrition.
John Connelly, President
7918 Jones Branch Drive, Suite 700
McLean, VA 22102 703.752.8880
www.aboutseafood.com
www.eatshrimp.com
National Pork Board
Checkoff sponsored organization that creates and executes promotion, research and consumer education programs to boost domestic demand for pork.
Karen Boillot, Director of Retail Marketing
P.O. Box 9114
Des Moines, A 50306
515.223.2600
www.pork.org
www.theotherwhitemeat.com
Organic Trade Association
Trade association and lobbying group for organic product suppliers, farmers and retailers. OTA hosts the All Things Organic trade show, and its "Organic Pages" website contains extensive, searchable databases of national organics growers and product suppliers. "The Organic Report" is OTA's consumer oriented site focused on the benefits of organic foods.
David Gagnon,
Chief Operations Officer
P.O. Box 547
Greenfield, MA 01302
413.774.7511
www.ota.com
www.theorganicpages.com
www.theorganicreport.org
Produce for Better Health Foundation
A nonprofit foundation that utilizes a variety of marketing, education and public-private partnership efforts to encourage fruit and vegetable consumption.
Elizabeth Pivonka, President
5341 Limestone Road
Wilmington, DE 19808
302.235.2329
www.pbhfoundation.org
www.5aday.com
Produce Marketing Association
A global trade association representing growers and marketers of fresh fruits, vegetables and related products. PMA offers a variety of educational resources for members, as well as discounts on consulting, market research and scan data for its members.
Bryan Silbermann, President
500 Casho Mill Road
Newark, DE 19711
302.738.7100
www.pma.com
United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association
A trade association representing growers, shippers, processors, brokers, wholesalers and distributors of produce. UFFVA offers a variety of continuing education programs and scholarships for its members.
Tom Stenzel, President
1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
202.303.3400
www.uffva.org
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
The U.S. Department of Agriculture division responsible for marketing U.S. agricultural products, including produce, dairy, meats and organic foods through the National Organic Program.
Lloyd C. Day, Administrator
1400 Independence Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20250
202.720.5115
www.ams.usda.gov
Whole Grains Council
An alliance of groups promoting the increased consumption of whole grains through consumer education, marketing and programs such as the Whole Grain Stamp.
Cynthia Harriman, Director of Food & Nutrition Strategies
Oldways Preservation Trust
266 Beacon St.
Boston, MA 02116
617.421.5500
www.wholegrainscouncil.org
FOOD ACTIVISM
Center for Food Safety
Environmental advocacy group that lobbies and litigates against several agriculture practices, including genetically modified crops, bovine growth hormones and food irradiation.
Andrew Kimbrell, Executive Director
660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Suite 302
Washington, DC 20003
202.547.9359
www.centerforfoodsafety.org
Center for Science in the Public Interest
A consumer advocacy group focused primarily on nutrition. Currently waging legal campaigns against sodium content in packaged foods and against trans fats in restaurants.
Michael Jacobson, Executive Director
1875 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.332.9110
www.cspinet.org
Consumers Union
Nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports magazine. The group is currently running campaigns on food safety risks, affordable prescription drugs and analyses of environmental labeling programs.
Gene Kimmelman, Chris Meyer, Senior Directors
101 Truman Ave.
Yonkers, NY 10703
914.378.2000
www.consumersunion.org
Environmental Defense Fund
Environmental group that is currently promoting ecologically friendly seafood choices through its "Oceans Alive" campaign.
Fred Krupp, President
257 Park Ave. South
New York, NY 10010
212.505.2100
www.environmentaldefense.org
oceansalive.org/eat.cfm
Environmental Working Group
An environmental group that has focused recent media and PR campaigns on benzene in soft drinks, mercury in tuna and carcinogens in cosmetics.
Ken Cook, President
1436 U St. NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20009
202.667.6982
www.ewg.org
Humane Society of the United States
This organization, which is not affiliated with state humane societies or animal shelters, is currently targeting retail chains and suppliers with protest campaigns against factory farming.
Paul Shapiro, Director,
Factory Farming Campaign
2100 L St. NW
Washington, DC 20037
202.452.1100
www.hsus.org
Marine Stewardship Council
International nonprofit dedicated to sustainable fisheries management. Group offers an accreditation and labeling program to certify qualifying seafood groups.
Jim Humphreys,
Regional Director, Americas
2110 N. Pacific St., Suite 102
Seattle, WA 98103
206.691.0188
www.msc.org
Oldways Preservation Trust
A think tank and advocacy organization promoting healthy eating, sustainable farming and traditional food preparation. The group most recently facilitated the development of the Whole Grains Council.
K. Dun Gifford, Founder & President
266 Beacon St.
Boston, MA 02116
617.421.5500
www.oldwayspt.org
Organic Consumers Association
Advocacy group that lobbies against genetically modified crops and any relaxation of organic standards, among other issues.
Ronnie Cummins, Executive Director
6771 South Silver Hill Drive
Finland, MN 55603
218.226.4164
www.organicconsumers.org
SeaWeb
An environmental advocacy group focused on oceanic issues. Major initiatives include several education campaigns regarding ecologically friendly seafood.
Vikki Spruill, President
1731 Connecticut Ave. NW, 4th Floor
Washington, DC 20009
202.483.9570
www.seaweb.org
www.seafoodchoices.org
Slow Food USA
A nonprofit organization promoting the benefits of consuming locally raised produce, independently produced foods, and heritage livestock and poultry.
Erika Lesser, Executive Director
20 Jay St., Suite 313
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718.260.8000
www.slowfoodusa.org
www.heritagefoodsusa.org
ORGANIC CERTIFICATION, STANDARDS
California Certified Organic Farmers
National organic certifier of farmers, processors, producers, private-label brands, retail operations and livestock. Website includes an extensive searchable database of organic farmers and producers.
Peggy Miars, Executive Director
1115 Mission St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.423.2263
www.ccof.org
www.ccof.org/directories.php
National Organic Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture division responsible for developing and enforcing rules associated with the USDA Organic seal as well as accrediting organic certification agencies.
Mark Bradley, Associate Deputy Administrator
1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 4008-S
Washington, DC 20250
202.720.3252
www.ams.usda.gov/nop
Oregon Tilth
An international organic certifier and research organization that advocates sustainable agriculture and lobbies for independent farmers.
John Foster, Executive Director
470 Lancaster Drive NE
Salem, OR 97301
503.378.0690
www.tilth.org
Organic Crop Improvement Association
An international organic certifier with offices in the United States, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru.
Jeff See, Executive Director
6400 Cornhusker Highway, Suite 125
Lincoln, NE 68507
402.477.2323
www.ocia.org
Quality Assurance International
An organic certifier for farmers, manufacturers, restaurants and retailers.
Ellen P. Holton, Director of Marketing & New Business Development
9191 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 510
San Diego, CA 92122
858.792.3531
www.qai-inc.com
Scientific Certification Systems
Third-party certifier of environmental, organic and food safety achievements.
Stanley Rhodes, President & Chief Executive Officer
2200 Powell St., Suite 725
Emeryville, CA 94608
510.452.8000
www.scscertified.com
LOCAL, ORGANIC, FAIR TRADE & HUMANELY RAISED PRODUCTS
Humane Farm Animal Care
A certification and labeling program that prohibits the use of growth hormones and antibiotics when raising egg, dairy, meat and poultry products, among other standards.
Adele Douglass, Executive Director
P.O. Box 727
Herndon, VA 20172
703.435.3883
www.certifiedhumane.org
International Fair Trade Association
An international organization promoting the growth of fair trade products. English website includes a large database of worldwide suppliers searchable by region, product or service type.
Stefan Durwael, Director
Prijssestraat 24
4101 CR Culemborg
The Netherlands
+31 (0) 345.53.59.14
www.ifat.org
Local Harvest
Website offers a database of over 9,000 independent, local farms in the United States, searchable by ZIP code and/or product.
Guillermo Payet, Founder
220 21st Ave.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
831.475.8150
www.localharvest.org
Organic Exchange
A nonprofit organization that facilitates business-to-business contact between buyers and sellers of organic commodities. The group's first major project has been increasing the global cultivation, supply and use of organic cotton.
Rebecca Calahan Klein, President
5332 College Ave., Suite 203
Oakland, CA 94618
510.597.9949
www.organicexchange.org
Organic Farming Research Foundation
A nonprofit information clearinghouse for organic farmers and manufacturers. OFRF publishes detailed, national surveys of organic farmers, offering insight into the state of local and regional supplies.
Bob Scowcroft, Executive Director
P.O. Box 440
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
831.426.6606
www.ofrf.org
www.organicaginfo.org
TransFair USA
Nonprofit third-party certifier of fair trade products and commodities. Website offers resources linking consumers to businesses offering fair trade goods, as well as B2B tools to help businesses source these products.
Paul Rice, President & Chief Executive Officer
1611 Telegraph Ave., Suite 900
Oakland, CA 94612
510.663.5260
www.transfairusa.org
The Rodale Institute
A nonprofit research institution dedicated to organic and sustainable farming. Rodale's newfarm.org website offers a limited organic price index, as well as searchable databases of organic farmers.
John Haberern, President
611 Siegfriedale Road
Kutztown, PA 19530
610.683.1400
www.rodaleinstitute.org
www.newfarm.org/farmlocator/index.php
DATA & RESEARCH FOR PROFIT
The Hartman Group
A market research and consulting group focused on health and wellness industries, including natural and organic products.
Harvey Hartman, Founder, Chairman
& Chief Executive Officer
1621 114th Ave. SE, Suite 105
Bellevue, WA 98004
425.452.0818
www.hartman-group.com
The Natural Marketing Institute
A market research and consulting group focused on the natural and organic product industries.
Maryellen Molyneaux, President & Managing Partner
272 Ruth Road
Harleysville, PA 19438
215.513.7300
www.nmisolutions.com
SPINS
The leading specialist provider of data and market research for the natural product industry. Offers retail partner programs in exchange for data sharing.
Jeffrey T. Nibler, President
118 2nd St., 3rd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
415.957.4400
www.spins.com
NATURAL AND ORGANIC DISTRIBUTORS
Kehe Food Distributors
Midwestern regional distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods.
Jerald Kehe, President & Chief Executive Officer
900 N. Schmidt Road
Romeoville, IL 60446
815.886.3700
Millbrook Distribution Services
National distributor of natural, ethnic and specialty food, as well as health and beauty care products.
Bob Sigel, President & Chief Executive Officer
P.O. Box 35
88 Huntoon Memorial Highway
Leicester, MA 01524
508.892.8171
www.millbrookds.com
Tree of Life
National distributor of natural, organic, specialty and ethnic foods and supplements. The company recently launched a proprietary tool called "Smart Assortment," which combines data from a variety of sources to determine optimal planograms store by store.
Richard Lane, President & Chief Executive Officer
P.O. Box 9000
St. Augustine, FL 32085
904.940.2100
www.treeoflife.com
United Natural Foods
The largest national distributor of natural and organic foods, as well as nutritional supplements and natural HBC items. Subsidiaries include produce distributor Albert's Organics and the Hershey Import Company.
Michael Funk, President & Chief Executive Officer
P.O. Box 999
260 Lake Road
Dayville, CT 06241
860.779.2800
www.unfi.com
www.albertsorganics.com
GREEN COMMERCIAL ENERGY
Green Power Partnership
This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency division facilitates the purchase of renewable energy for commercial, industrial and public sector organizations.
Blaine Collison, Program Director
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Mail Code 6202J
Washington, DC 20460
202.343.9004
www.epa.gov/greenpower
World Resources Institute
An environmental think tank whose current efforts include projects on biofuels, the development of emissions trading markets and the Green Power Market Development Group.