Vitamin Angels Gift is Just One of Many Gift to the Poor by Pines
In 2008, UNFI distributors set up the Vitamin Angels program. Since then, Pines has donated 3% of its January sales through United Natural Foods (UNFI) to Vitamin Angels along with other brands in the natural foods market. These overall UNFI January gifts have helped thousands of kids. Pines is pleased to join with other natural foods in this effort each year.
Other Food Programs besides Vitamin Angels
Although we are glad that many other natural food brands support Vitamin Angels, Pines gives considerably more each year through our foundation to local food programs and charities. Through its Foundation Pines supports local feeding programs with cash gifts. Those programs include Lawrence Meals on Wheels, Kansas Food Bank, ECKAN/Just Food.
Pines has sent several shipments of cereal grass to orphanages and poor villagers in remote areas of Guatemala. Their diets often do not contain enough dark green, leafy veggies. With our donation of millions of servings, they now can increase the green super foods in their diets.
Other Contributions to Programs for the Poor
Pines' foundation, the WCEF, has also made other cash contributions to other programs that help people in need. Those include the Lawrence Habitat for Humanity, Health Care Access, Heartland Community Health Center and the Lawrence Community Shelter.
PINES has also given millions of Pines Wheat Grass servings to feeding programs worldwide.
In addition, the WCEF has also supported scholarship programs with Bastyr University, the United Negro College Fund and the American Indian College Fund. We also provide cash contributions to our local fire department, the Jefferson County Fire District.
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Pines gave computers, printers and software to a school on a remote Island off the coast of Belize.[/caption]
Pines Opposes the Proliferation of Plastic
Like many natural food brands, the Vitamin Angels are close to our hearts. Unlike other natural food brands, Pines has also taken a strong stand against the use of petrochemical plastic. We feel it is wrong for many reasons to package foods in plastic. We are the only grower to follow the growing and harvest standards of Charles Schnabel, The Father of Wheatgrass, as well as his package standards. His package standards involved using only amber glass bottles with special metal caps. That is the only kind of packaging that can remove the oxygen for each bottle. That safeguard protects green super foods from the oxidation that devitalizes similar products in plastic containers. Some plastic brands use oxygen absorbing packets, which do not work because plastic is porous. Our products are available at leading natural food stores or through a shopping cart on this website.
Our Logo Reflects Our Goals
PINES chose the pine tree as our logo because it reflects our philosophy. That's because a global symbol of the peace found in nature is the pine tree. We are proud to have fulfilled and to continue to fulfill our mission of more than 40 years ago.
Starting in 1976, more than 100 individuals invested an average of $200 each. Those small investments helped PINES and the WCEF become a reality. These people gave support not because they expected a large return but because they believed in our sustainable values.
Gifts to Support the Planet
The WCEF provides funds to the Kansas Sierra Club, Citizens' Climate Lobby, Kansas Land Trust and Friends of the Kaw. We speak out against farming methods in other parts of Kansas that waste and contaminate ground water. Farmers in the dry parts of our State depend on irrigation from the ground water supply known as the "Ogallala Aquifer". They wasted it and poisoned it growing animal feed for the meat industry and GMO corn for ethanol. This resource took tens of thousands of years to accumulate. In less than 100 years, poison-based farming has nearly depleted and poisoned it. We oppose using what little remains of this resource. Pines grows its crops in areas that do not require irrigation. Instead, we depend on natural rainfall.
Gifts to Support Sustainable Organic Farming
PINES supports with four organic certification groups. Further, the WCEF makes cash gifts to The Land Institute, Kansas Rural Center and The Cornucopia Institute.
WCEF's Role in Protecting the Kansas River
Another major project for the WCEF and Pines during our first two decades was the Kansas Riverkeeper program called "Friends of the Kaw." More than half of a permanent fund came from Pines, the WCEF and our shareholders. Friends of the Kaw invested this fund. Income from it ensures a person employed in perpetuity to protect this threatened Kansas resource. The Riverkeeper travels the Kansas river to report pollution. She also lobbies the law makers to prevent damage or pollution to this precious resource.
More than $135,000 in Gifts During Last Eight Years
In more recent years, the WCEF used gifts from stockholders and bequests to support its values. Since 2008, the WCEF gave more than $135,000 to various groups that share our goals.
Find a Store Near You or Order Online
The Centers for Disease Control found that only one in ten people eat enough dark green veggies. The CDC found that eating enough veggies helps protect from disease common to modern society. No matter how many vegetables you eat, you may need more. Please use our store finder for one near you where you can purchase Pines green super foods in oxygen-free, amber glass bottles or feel free to order online.