Naturally Minnesota is Launched by the Naturally Network
(AUSTIN, Texas - Sept. 14, 2022) – Today, Naturally Network, the national industry trade association representing the natural and organic consumer products industry, announces the launch of its newest and ninth chapter: Naturally Minnesota. With its regional hub of progressive retailers and leading CPG brands and tradition of regenerative agriculture, Naturally Minnesota will serve its members by embracing Naturally Network’s mission of accelerating the success of natural and organic entrepreneurs and their businesses through community-based educational programming, networking events, and mentoring initiatives throughout the state.
The idea to launch a Naturally Minnesota chapter was catalyzed by Grow North, an initiative of the University of Minnesota focused on accelerating Minnesota food and agriculture enterprises. Grow North will transition operations to Naturally Minnesota, continuing its mission while elevating the state’s food and beverage industry to a national level. Naturally Minnesota marks a milestone for Naturally Network, representing more than 5,000 conscious businesses choosing to benefit both society and the environment across the U.S.
Naturally Minnesota joins the peer Naturally Network chapters in helping entrepreneurs on a journey to have measurable support and access to experts and leaders in Austin, Bay Area, Boulder, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, North Bay, and San Diego.
“Minnesota has always been an incubator for sustainability and innovation in CPG products that today’s health-conscious consumers demand,” said Naturally Network’s Executive Director Katrina Tolentino. “Naturally Network is so proud and excited to extend our reach into this region and increase access to our network, tools, and resources through Naturally Minnesota.”
Several years in the making, Naturally Minnesota powered by Grow North now serves a diversity of businesses and farms, and professionals working in the state’s robust natural and organic sector. Grow North’s Allison Hohn will now serve as Naturally Minnesota’s executive director, with Grow North remaining an initiative of the organization to serve many of its existing programs, now under the Naturally Minnesota brand.
“Over the last five years Grow North has supported and built the food and ag entrepreneurship ecosystem here in Minnesota, much like the Naturally chapters have been doing across the country, and we are thrilled to be joining the Naturally Network to showcase and connect our community on a national level,” said Hohn. “The collaboration, connectivity, and access this will provide our community is a very exciting development and we are looking forward to enriching the Naturally Network with our resources and contributing to a thriving national community.”
“Minnesota has a long been the home of many successful entrepreneurs, cooperatives, and producers,” said Naturally Minnesota’s Board Chair and Principal at All Natural Strategies Corinne Shindelar. “Strengthening the connection of producers, entrepreneurs, investors, service providers and retailers will help us create strong and nimble programs that support organic and diverse growth. Naturally Minnesota has a group of dedicated leaders that are ready to do even more to ensure that we are building for a future that embraces inclusion and solutions."
Naturally Minnesota will celebrate its launch on October 3 at the Food | Ag | Ideas Week Conference in St. Paul, where it will host an entrepreneurial Pitch Slam showcasing innovative early-stage CPG companies like Quebracho, Simpls, Acremade, Folly Coffee, TC Chocolate, and Coconut Whisk. The winner will receive $30,000 in both cash and in-kind prizes, and an opportunity to pitch at the 2023 Natural Products Expo East Pitch Slam, in partnership with New Hope Network.
Learn more about the launch event and register by clicking here.
Learn more about the launch event and Food | Ag | Ideas Week, by visiting foodagideas.com.
About Naturally Network: Naturally Network is a national trade association and an agent of change representing and serving nine regional chapters across the U.S. Its mission is to harness, accelerate and elevate the power and impact of conscious business practices in the natural and organic products industry through community-based and relevant educational programming, networking events and mentoring initiatives that support a more diverse and representative industry. Founded more than 17 years ago in Boulder, Colo. as a regional hub for natural and organic industry entrepreneurs and businesses, Naturally Network was founded to serve the need across the U.S. to support passionate and committed entrepreneurs and their businesses’ success on a national level. Learn more at https://www.naturallynetwork.org/.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Debi Goldman
debi@naturallynetwork.org