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Awards
Annual Awards Program
Each year the Natural Products Association honors dedicated individuals who have made significant contributions benefiting the natural products industry. At Natural MarketPlace, the Natural Products Association's annual trade show and convention, members gather to salute those dedicated individuals who have contributed so much to the association and the industry. Award recipients are honored during the Natural Products Association’s annual trade show and convention. 2009 winners are featured below.
Natural Products Association's 2009 Award Recipients
The Natural Products Association is proud to announce the 2009 recipients of the association’s annual awards presented to outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions in various areas of the natural products industry. Recipients were honored at the Natural Products Association’s annual trade show and convention, MarketPlace 2009, July 9-11 in Las Vegas, Nev.
Burton Kallman Scientific Award
Koji Nakanishi, Ph.D.
The Burton Kallman Scientific Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding scientific contributions that have benefited the natural products industry.
This year’s recipient,Koji Nakanishi, Ph.D., has been described as having "transformed the field of natural products chemistry." He is one of the most respected scientists in his field. He is credited with doing some of the first research on ginkgo biloba 30 years ago, when he isolated the active component of ginkgo extract. Dr. Nakanishi has been on the faculty of Columbia University's department of chemistry for 30 years, is a former chairman of the department, and since 1980, has held the title of Centennial Professor. In his prolific career, he has opened the doors to fuller understanding of natural products by determining the chemical structure of nearly 200 bioactive compounds and how they function to affect human, plant and animal life. He has been given awards by nearly a dozen nations and numerous scientific organizations.
In an unusual international alliance, a major prize was named for him; the Nakanishi Prize of the American Chemical Society and the Chemical Society of Japan. In November, the King Faisal Foundation announced that the King Faisal International Award for science will be given to six people including Dr. Nakanishi. He has published 700 scientific papers and written nine books, including an autobiography, A Wandering Natural Products Scientist.
President's Award
Michael S. Funk
Natural Products Association’s President’s Award was created to recognize an individual who has made long-time contributions to the natural products industry, or has made a one-time, uniquely significant impact on the industry.
This year’s recipient is Michael S. Funk, Chair of the Board of United Natural Foods, Inc., Dayville Conn.
A pioneer in the natural foods industry, Michael Funk started the distributor Mountain People’s Warehouse (MPW) in 1976. As president of MPW, he built the company into the leading natural food wholesaler in the west. In 1996, he co-founded United Natural Foods (UNFI), to form the largest natural food distributor in the country. It is the largest publicly traded U.S. wholesaler of natural and organic products, manages seven subsidiaries from its Dayville, Conn., headquarters, and also owns the NRG retail group, a chain of 12 natural products stores in the eastern U.S.
Funk stepped down as UNFI's president and CEO in September 2008, but still serves as chairman of the board. He is active in many industry groups, including The Organic Center, a non-profit organization which he co-founded, that funds scientific research to prove the integrity of organic. He adheres to strict ideals of the organic community and believes ultimately that consumers will look beyond organic at total impact on the environment. To that end, his aim is to be the distributor that delivers organically grown products, locally sourced in as many cases as possible, and in fully biodegradable packaging, using 100-percent bio diesel to take them to the store. The idea, he says, is to keep raising the bar.
Rachel Carson Environmental Award
Peter Raven, Ph.D.
The Rachel Carson Environmental Award honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the protection of the environment.
The winner for 2009 is Peter H. Raven, Ph.D., one of the world's leading botanists and advocates of conservation and biodiversity. For more than 37 years, he has headed the Missouri Botanical Garden, an institution he has nurtured to become a world-class center for botanical research, education, and horticulture display. During He is George Engelmann Professor of Botany at Washington University in St. Louis, as well as a Trustee of the National Geographic Society and Chairman of the Society's Committee for Research and Exploration. Described by TIME magazine as a "Hero for the Planet,"Dr. Raven champions research around the world to preserve endangered plants and animals and is a leading advocate for building a sustainable environment.
He has received numerous prizes and awards, including Guggenheim and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Fellowships. In 2001, he received the National Medal of Science, the highest award for scientific accomplishment in the United States. He is co-editor of the Flora of China, an international project leading to a 50-volume account of all the plants of China. He has written numerous books and publications, including Biology of Plants (co-authored with Ray Evert and Susan Eichhorn), a best-selling textbook in botany.
Statesman/Stateswoman Award
The Statesman/Stateswoman Award is given to individuals outside the natural products industry who have been an ally to the natural products industry in the political and legislative arena. The winner for 2009 will be announced at a later date.
Natural Products Association Industry Champion Award
The newly renamed Natural Products Association Industry Champion Award recognizes individuals who have made notable contributions to the natural products industry above and beyond commercial success. Recipients of the 2009 Natural Products Association Industry Champion Awards are Halbert Drexler and David Taylor.
Halbert Drexler
Halbert "Hal" Drexler is the founder of Country Life Vitamins. Drexler started the business in 1970 with his wife, Francine, with a single product, and grew the company to encompass five companies: Country Life Vitamins, Desert Essence, BioChem Sports, Iron Tek and Long Life Teas. Country Life Vitamins supplies its extensive product line to health food stores nationally and internationally. Drexler served on various committees and the board of directors of the Natural Products Association for many years and was instrumental in lobbying for the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). He contributes his success to building the business with his family, his wife Francine, his son Ryan, and his daughter Jodi.
David Taylor
In 1985, David Taylor and his family opened Nature's Harvest Market, a 3,150 square foot store in Tampa, Fla. The pioneering store was a new concept for Tampa, focusing on natural and organic foods. To better serve the local natural products consumers, Nature's Harvest recently grew to more than 18,000 square feet. Taylor’s staff and family have encouraged him to give back by serving on the (then) NNFA Southeast Region board of directors. Taylor completed his second year as president of the national Board of Directors of the Natural Products Association in July 2007, and is on the board of directors and the Past Presidents Council.
Natural Products Association Clinician Award
The Natural Products Association Clinician Award was created to honor licensed healthcare practitioners whose work exemplifies the best standards and dedication to responsible holistic, non-invasive and integrative/complementary/ alternative medicine modalities. This year’s recipients are Robert P. Heaney, M.D. and Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.
Robert P. Heaney, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.N.
Dr. Heaney is an internationally recognized expert in the field of bone biology and calcium nutrition. He has worked for over 45 years in the study of osteoporosis and calcium physiology, and has published more than 300 original papers, chapters, monographs, and reviews in scientific and educational fields. He is a professor of medicine at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. Among his numerous professional accolades are an honorary membership in the American Dietetic Association and election to Fellowship in the American College of Nutrition. He also received the Scientific Prize of the Institut Candia (France) for his contributions to raising awareness of calcium and its health benefits.
Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.
Dr. Teitelbaum is medical director of the national Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, Inc. His research focuses on expanding the understanding of hypothalamic dysfunction in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. His work has led to the development of an effective treatment protocol for these diseases. He lectures to patient, physician and research groups internationally. The groundbreaking “gold standard” research on effective treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, of which he was lead author, was published in the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Among many health-related affiliations during his career, he served as State Medical Society appointee to the Governor’s Commission on Complimentary Medicine in Maryland.
Socially Responsible Retailer Award
The Socially Responsible Retailer Award recognizes Natural Products Association member companies that excel in integrating social responsibility in multiple aspects of their businesses including volunteerism, education, employee empowerment, environment and health. This year’s recipients are Ashland Food Co-op in Ashland, Oregon, GreenAcres Markets in Wichita, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, and Whole Foods Market in Austin, Texas.
Ashland Food Co-op in Ashland, Oregon, Gwyneth Bowman, Chair
The Co-op Ashland Food Cooperative started as a buying club in 1971 in its southern Oregon community, and has grown into a full-service cooperative grocery with nearly 6,000 owners. A strong supporter of the local economy, growers, and producers, the co-op provides a unique selection of high quality and organic gourmet specialty foods, and wines and beers sourced from around the corner to around the world. Ashland gives back every year through its Community Grants program, awarding yearly grants of up to $1,500 to local non-profit organizations. It is a charter member of the Ashland Green Business Program and Ashland Renewable Pioneers. The co-op offers a Community Oven culinary and wellness program, which provides cooking classes, in-store culinary demonstrations, and wellness lectures. Community Oven also includes a free Pantry Basics class for owners to introduce them to simple menu planning and basic cooking using whole, organic foods.
GreenAcres Markets in Wichita, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri, Barb and John Hoffman, co-owners
Over the last twelve years, GreenAcres Market has seen a few health fads come and go, but has kept their focus on helping customers build a healthy lifestyle. Long before organics went mainstream, GreenAcres Market prided itself on being the largest certified organic produce department in the Wichita area and has since opened another store in Kansas City, Mo. The stores don’t sell any bleached, hydrogenated, fumigated, or irradiated products and strive to avoid artificial flavors, sweetners, colors, and chemical preservatives. The love of organics carries over into GreenAcres Market’s deli operations, where organic ingredients make up the bulk of recipes. The store offers regular in-store classes designed to help customers make healthy choices. Major seminars from nationally recognized speakers offer opportunities to learn from wellness experts. In addition, the store has been host to a six-year, nationally syndicated radio talk show, HealthTalk with Shannon and Matt.
Whole Foods Market in Austin, Texas (corporate office)
In 1980, Whole Foods Market started out with one small store in Austin, Texas. Today, it comprises more than 270 stores in North America and the United Kingdom. Seeking out fine quality natural and organic foods and maintaining strict quality standards is what Whole Foods has become known for. Committed to helping take care of the environment, the company actively supports organic farming and sustainable agriculture. It assists its global neighbors through its Whole Planet Foundation’s micro-lending operations, and also support food banks, sponsors neighborhood events, and donates to local non-profit groups. Whole Foods strives to create a work environment where its Team Members (the employees) can flourish and succeed. For example, the company implemented a salary cap that limits the compensation (wages plus profit incentive bonuses) of any team member to nineteen times the average total compensation of all full-time team members in the company.
Natural MarketPlace 2009, the Natural Products Association’s 71nd annual trade show and convention, will take place July 9-11, at the world-class Sands Expo and Convention Center and The Venetian Resort Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. Please visit www.naturalproductsassoc.org/tradeshow for more information.
Click here for photos of the 2009 award winners, or contact the association at natural@naturalproductsassoc.org for high-resolution files. |
