Nature's Path Plants it Forward With Gardens for Good Grant Program

RICHMOND, British Columbia, May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Access to fresh, organic, chemical-free food is a right that has come to the forefront thanks in part to people like the First Lady, with her focus on the White House organic garden and her quest to eliminate food deserts – areas where healthy affordable food is difficult to obtain. Nature's Path Organic Foods, the largest organic cereal manufacturer in North America, has championed this movement for decades and is continuing its active support of organic agriculture with the launch of the third annual Gardens for Good grant contest – a program that empowers communities to take action and grow organically where they live.

"Two founding missions of our company are to support organic agriculture and to make organic food available to everyone.  We are thrilled to be able to continue to help provide not only access to healthy food but the education needed to sustain it, along with increased organic land, for the third year in a row with Gardens for Good Grants," says Arran Stephens, Nature's Path's Co-founder and Garden Keeper.  "Through this program, we hope not only to provide funds for urban farming projects, but to also cultivate socially responsible community leaders who will bring people together to feed those in need."

Nature's Path, with the help of Organic Gardening magazine, is kicking off the third annual Gardens For Good grant contest on May 1st.   To date, over $100,000 has been planted forward since the program began in 2010.

This year, three deserving non-profits who demonstrate a passion and vision for organic urban farming will each receive a grant of $15,000 toward an organic, community garden project.  Where the gardens bloom is left up to the people – passionate community members and organizations are encouraged to go to Nature's Path's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/naturespath to apply between May 1 - 31, 2012 and vote between June 1 – June 30, 2012.  From the nine organizations (six U.S. and three Canadian) that receive the most public votes, Nature's Path will choose three winners (two in the U.S. and one in Canada based on the strength of the application) to become the recipients of: a cash grant; technical design and production mentorship provided by Organic Gardening magazine; a free organic breakfast community celebration; and a donation of Nature's Path products to help fill the pantries of a local food bank.

Stories about the wonderful organization that have received past grants can be found on the Nature's Path website at http://www.naturespath.com/do-good/Gardens4Good.

Founded in 1985, Nature's Path Organic Foods is headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia and employs over 350 people at its four facilities in Canada and the United States.  The privately held, family-owned company produces breakfast foods and snacks sold in specialty foods stores and retailers in over 42 countries worldwide.  The company's innovative brands include Nature's Path®, Flax Plus, EnviroKidz®, and Optimum®.  Visit Nature's Path online at www.naturespath.com and www.facebook.com/naturespath.  For the latest news and updates, follow us on twitter: @naturespath and @envirokidz. 

SOURCE Nature's Path