AROUND THE STATE

Vail Resorts Goes Organic

Vail Resorts, based in Broomfield, CO, announced this week that it will begin serving at its five resorts using natural and organic meats and dairy products from Colorado companies Coleman Natural Foods and WhiteWave Foods. Vail Resorts is the nation’s largest ski resort operator. The move complements Vail’s commitment this year to becoming more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. The resort operator will partner with Coleman and WhiteWave to provide natural and organic meat and dairy products at the 40 restaurants on its five mountain resorts. The initiative, “Good Food on a Grand Scale” calls for Vail to purchase 90 percent of its meats from Golden-based Coleman Natural Foods and 87 percent of its dairy products from White Wave Foods, which markets the Horizon Organic and Silk soy milk brands. Establishing company-wide initiatives related to wind power, conservation and natural and organic food is simply good business practice, said Rob Katz, CEO of Vail Resorts in a media interview on Wednesday and reported in the Daily Camera.

RETAIL NEWS

Eco-Products to Launch “Ellie’s Organic Home Center”

Eco-Products of Boulder announced the launch of Ellie’s Organic Home Center, a new retail concept that will sell environmentally friendly products including apparel, green building supplies, eco-home products, organic wine and other related items, reports the Daily Camera. The store initially will be located in Eco-Products headquarters at 3460 Walnut St., but, according to owner Steve Savage, the company is looking for a separate retail space in Boulder. Eco-Products was founded in 1990 and has experienced significant growth in recent years.

COMPANY NEWS

Organic Dish Offers Home Delivery

The Organic Dish, established in 2006 and based in Boulder, is now offering a home delivery service for its pre-prepared, frozen, make-your-own organic dinner kits. Home deliveries will be available throughout Boulder County on Thursday evenings, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., for a $10 delivery fee, according to co-owner Toby Hemmerling. The pre-prepared, complete organic meals come with easy cooking instructions, says Hemmerling and orders can be placed online at www.theorganicdish.com.

START-UP NEWS

Natural Energy Drink Launched

Brain Toniq is a brand new product from a start-up company by the same name launched by Scott Ohlgren of Longmont, CO. According to Ohlgren, the organic drink is made from plant extracts that help enhance cognitive function and focus, and is similar to energy drinks but without the caffeine, chemicals or harmful sugars. The company plans to pursue retail distribution. For now, the products are available online at www.braintoniq.com.

NATURALLY BOULDER DAYS CONFERENCE

Chipotle Founder Ells, New Belgium CEO Jordan Kick Off Naturally Boulder Days

Chipotle Mexican Grill founder Steve Ells and New Belgium Brewing Co. CEO Kim Jordan will kick off this year’s Naturally Boulder Days conference for marketers and manufacturers of natural, organic and sustainable products on Thursday evening, Oct. 25, with an interactive café-style seminar at Naropa’s Marpa Center for Business and Economics. The slate for Friday, Oct. 26, at the St. Julien Hotel will feature keynote speakers Mo Siegel, founder of Celestial Seasonings, and Dr. Alan Greene, M.D., Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine. Other speakers include Hunter Lovins, founder of Natural Capitalism Inc., WhiteWave founder Steve Demos and its current CEO Joe Scalzo, the ever-popular Entrepreneur’s 60-second Pitch Slam, a tabletop exhibition, company tours, and networking receptions on Thursday and Friday evening. The full conference fee is $225, but individuals can qualify for a “Starving Entrepreneur” rate of $150 by writing a 100-word essay as to why they merit the discount and sending it to networking@naturallyboulderproducts.com. Visit www.naturallyboulderproducts.com for complete conference details.