"What does your conscience say?—
'You must become who it is that you are.'”
Friedrich Nietzsche
(1844-1900)
Dear Friend,
It All Started at the Toilet
You may not know how our journey started... I was standing at the toilet with my son, who was 3 years old at the time, when he asked me, "Dad, does what we put in the water hurt the fish and other animals?" I had no idea, and said, "Let's go to the library together and find out!"
That's When It Got Bad, Real Bad
At the library we found that as humans, we just weren't very good stewards of the Earth. One particular article described how chemicals in daily-use products - like shampoo, conditioner and lotion - were getting washed down the drain every morning in bathrooms and ended up in the local waterways, rivers, lakes and finally in the oceans. The chemicals were hurting the dolphins and their babies...
Every day, just in Canada & USA, 6.7 billion ounces of daily-use products with toxic synthetics and harmful petro-chemicals are washed into our local waterways, as we all get ready for work or school.
In A Single Moment It Happened,
The Promise
I put down the article and l'il Zach was crying, he then looked me right in the eye and asked, "Dad, what are we going to do to help?"
I still clearly remember this exact moment, it was a life moment. (In looking back... I now clearly see this was a rare life opportunity to receive a special gift from my son) My heart moved up into my throat and on the verge of tears myself, looking Zach back in the eyes, I replied, "I don't know, but we'll do something, I promise."
A Little Boy's Question
By gosh & by golly, little did I know the sense of purpose that would follow, and the father & son adventures that would come from my little boy's simple question. Organic Trader was birthed from this very question, from the seeds of that special moment.
I Found Out I Could Do Better
I had never before questioned how what I do everyday affects the Earth and Nature, the animals, the water - or even myself for that matter.
A Better Life™
My son's question became a burning quest to find a better way. I started to find out how deeply and intimately we are all connected through Nature. Zach's question opened my heart, and my spirit began to awaken...
Organic Trader™ Today
Since 1999 Organic Trader™ has become an environmental leader in the field of green, organic and sustainable eco-manufacturing methods. Some of our great successes have evolved from the many (so-called) 'failures' or disappointments along the way.
My grandpapa used to say, "Joseph, you can never go wrong doing the right thing, just don't give up my boy, don't give up!"
A New Way of Thinking
Organic Trader™ is more than just an "organic message in a bottle". Our sustainable vision is changing the way:
√ raw materials are sourced to support organic, biodynamic and sustainable permaculture farms.
√ ingredients are sourced from certified fair trade and social justice programs, helping communities.
√ products are being processed without 'industry' petro-chemical junk ingredients or synthetic excipiants.
√ the next generation of green products are made.
√ products arrive on the shelf - with intregrity still intact inside the bottle - backed by third-party certifications and better standards, like EcoStar Green™.
√ consumers are able to make better choices.
Organic Trader's™ family vision is forging a new generation of eco-products & business solutions that change the way each of us may choose to participate in our world today.
Hippies with Office
Sometimes we may be seen as 'renegade hippies with an office' - but heck and doggone, what you don't know about us... may really surprise you!
(and click here for our "Unacceptables List" pdf of chemical ingredients banned by Organic Trader™)
Saying NO to Synthetics & Petro-chemicals
You will find honest and full ingredient disclosure on all our labels. We offer a range of unique organic blends in our own brands and offer Private Label or Custom Green Contract Manufacturing (click here for sustainable, green private label).
The Soil Under the Grass Roots
We use old-fashioned methods based upon integrity and working with Nature, principles and secrets I learned from my father and grandfather. Artisan ways rooted in working the land. Hardship, ingenuity and sustainability were not options, but necessary, and rewarding, ways of life.
Cowichan Valley (our home) has some of the most fertile organic farmland in the world. The word “Cowichan” comes from the Coast Salish indigenous people and means “the warm welcoming lands”. We are a family owned and run business - always have been, always will be.
Go Organic with us.
Eco-blessings to you and your family.
We are deeply thankful to share with you,
our dreams, our adventures and our Promise...
for a better life.™
Genuinely, Joseph & Zach
Cowichan Bay, B.C.
Joseph, father of Zachary
son of Anton
grand-son of Anton & Deda Mile
great grand-son of Marco & Jhose
copyright © 1999, 2006, 2009 - >
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"Now there is one outstandingly important fact regarding Spaceship Earth, and that is that no instruction book came with it."
Buckminster Fuller
