Manitoba Harvest Introduces Hemp Hearts™

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods & Oils, a global leader in hemp foods, announced today that its popular shelled hemp seeds product will be rebranded Hemp Hearts™. The product will boast the same high-quality Manitoba Harvest shelled hemp seed consumers love and trust, but now with new and refreshed packaging and branding.

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"Naturally nutrient-rich and sustainably grown, hemp is one of my favorite examples of a food that is – and should be – making its way into more and more pantries, refrigerators and restaurant menus," said Ashley Koff RD, celebrity dietitian and author of Mom Energy: A Simple Plan to Live Fully Charged (Hay House, 2011). "Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts are packed with nutrients making them the perfect addition to any eating plan from omnivore to vegan, and gluten-free diets."

Aptly renamed Hemp Hearts, shelled hemp seeds are heart-healthy, Omega-, protein- and fiber-rich with a pleasant nutty flavor.  They make a great topping for salads, cereal and yogurt, and boast many health and environmental benefits:

• Omega rich: Hemp Hearts boast the ideal ratio of healthy fats Omega-3 to Omega-6, making them beneficial to cardiovascular health. Hemp is also the only food source for the rare Omega-6, gamma-linoleic acid (GLA), shown to support healthy skin, hair and nails as well as helping balance hormones and control weight.
• Plant-based protein: Hemp Hearts are one of the most complete sources of highly-digestible, high quality protein. The protein found in hemp seed is comparable to soybeans and has higher levels of protein compared to other seeds, nuts, dairy products and meats. Hemp Hearts are the only whole food vegetarian source of complete protein that does not contain carbohydrates.  
• Planet-friendly: Hemp Hearts are not genetically modified, and hemp can be grown without fungicides, herbicides and pesticides.

"Our shelled hemp seed is extremely popular, and we're excited to reinvigorate the product with new, benefit-focused branding," said Mike Fata, Manitoba Harvest CEO and Co-Founder. "There's so much to love about Hemp Hearts – they're nutritious, easy to incorporate into your diet and sustainably grown. With appealing new packaging, we believe we will introduce even more consumers to hemp foods."

New packaging will appear on store shelves beginning in mid to late August. Hemp Hearts are available in both natural and organic options, and can be purchased at Whole Foods Markets, Sprouts, Co-Ops and other health food stores, or online at manitobaharvest.com.

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods & Oils

Founded in 1998, Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods & Oils is the world's largest vertically-integrated hemp food manufacturer. Manitoba Harvest is proud to offer award-winning products like Hemp Pro 70® (hemp protein concentrate), Hemp Bliss® Organic Hemp Beverage, shelled hemp seed, and hemp oil. For more information visit www.manitobaharvest.com or http://www.facebook.com/manitobaharvesthempfoodsandoils.

SOURCE Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods & Oils