Expo East Wraps First Boston Outing

BOSTON—The 24th annual Natural Products Expo East, held here Oct. 15 to 18, drew more than 26,000 attendees to visit more than 2,100 booths, according to show organizer New Hope Natural Media, a division of Penton Media. Frances Moore Lappe, author of “Diet for a Small Planet,” gave the keynote speech, and the winners of the Spirit of Organic Awards were announced. Recipients were Anthony Rodale, former CEO, Rodale Institute; Kelly Shea, WhiteWave Foods Co.; LaRhea Pepper, Organic Exchange; and Kevin Brussel, Ag Organics.

Several companies were recognized as winners of the 2008 New Products Showcase Awards, including: Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics’ Mama-To-Be Tea Sampler (Supplement/Herbs); Gourmé Food Co.’s Gourmé Mist (Best Packaging); One With Nature Soaps’ Dead Sea Mineral Body Wash (Health & Beauty); Peaceworks Holdings’ KIND PLUS Mango Macadamia Nutrition Bars (Food); Putney Pasta’s Chicken Alfredo Skillet (New England’s Best); Undercover Vegetable Co.’s Yotta Bars (Most Innovative); and VerTerra Ltd.’s Renewable Dinnerware (Green/Environmentally-friendly).

Next year’s show will be held Sept. 23 to 26, 2009, in Boston.