Using Money to Make Change

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That includes Judy Groft, who boxes bags of Newman's Own Organics pretzels and loads them into trucks at a plant in Hanover, Pennsylvania, "the buckle on the Pretzel Belt," according to Paul Newman. Giving away other people's money is a "great feeling," says Groft, a Hanover native. She and her fellow workers support causes ranging from Alzheimer's research to the local Ronald McDonald House with Newman money.

Another recipient of Newman's organic charity is the Grey Bears of Santa Cruz, a non-profit group that shares fresh produce with senior citizens. The Grey Bean distribute 1.5 million pounds of produce a year, delivering food weekly to 1,300 members and 800 shut-ins. The group also teaches composting, makes and sells worm compost, and recycles newspaper and cardboard—keeping 11,000 tons of recyclable material out of landfills every year. For two years in a row, Newman's Own Organics and its employees have donated more than $23,000 to the group. "It was like having Santa Claus come to the facility," says Lynda Francis, Grey Bears executive director.

Money Makes Change

Nell Newman says her father has great respect for the power of the ballot and has threatened, on occasion, to disown any family member who doesn't vote. So she votes regularly, but, she says, "Voting with our dollars has more influence. The main reason for the growth of organics double-digit growth for the last 15 to 20 years—is that it is a way to make change, really, to show your support of a particular company and their methodology for growing your food."

Contributing editor George DeVault raises certified or ganic vegetables near Emmaus, Penn. He is a Food and Society Policy Fellow in a program funded by the WK. Kellogg Foundation.

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