The International Probiotics Association, the Global Alliance for Probiotics and the Yoghurt Live Fermented Milks Association will now exist on a single platform, called the International Probiotics Association Europe.

Vista Ventures Services and Nature’s Supplement Brokers Brand Development entered a joint venture under the Vista Ventures name. The company offers naturally oriented companies services such as “sales management, distribution expansion, marketing development, strategic planning, financial analysis and entrepreneurial coaching.”

Independent Natural Food Retailers Association of Minneapolis, MN, made a second partnership agreement with KeHE Distributors of Naperville, IL, to service participating members in the Midwest. In a statement,  KeHE noted, “This strategic alliance will enable participating INFRA members in the Midwest region to improve their purchasing position in the market and have a platform that is flexible enough to support innovation.” A previous agreement was made in the Northeast.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition of Washington, D.C., created guidelines for the use of iodine in multivitamins intended for pregnant and lactating women. The group recommends such products contain 150 mcg of iodine.

Hydro Flask of Bend, OR, donated ~6,000 Hydro Flask products to the Community Action Partnership of Oregon and its 17 Community Action Agencies.

Albion Human Nutrition, based in Clearfield, UT, named Doctor’s Best as its 2014 Customer of the Year for offering “science-based products with the highest quality raw materials available on the market.”

MegaFood and Uncle Matt’s Organic Orange Farm created an annual grant program to help Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers, Inc. promote organic and sustainable agriculture through education and outreach.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, March 2015