Naturally Boulder Days Awards Dinner Recap

Naturally Boulder Days, now in it’s 5th year, started a new tradition last night by holding an awards dinner to recognize people and companies making a difference in the natural foods industry in Boulder. The winners were chosen by a panel from the dozens of submissions made by the community.

Best Young Business - Mix1

Mix1 - makers of beverages for better nutrition on the run - drinks that actually nourish the body, took home Best Young Business, a category for companies less than 5 years old. They grew 361% in the last year!

I just asked my wife if she’d ever tried it, and her exact words were: “Yes. I love it. There is one in the fridge.” So now I’m drinking my first - Blueberry Vanilla. It’s excellent- tastes like a creamy smoothie (But appears to be non-dairy).

Company of the Year - Eco Products

Eco Products, makers of compostable disposable products (utensils, plates, cups) has grown from 10 employees to 70 in the last few years. Their products show up at events all over Boulder, and beyond.

Local Hero - Community Food Share

Community Food Share has provided 5.3 million free meals to people in the Boulder and Broomfield communities who don’t have the resources to feed themselves. This is an enormous number, and most people don’t realize that 1 in 8 (or roughly 50,000) people fall into this category.

Lifetime Achievement Award - Mark Retzloff

When you list his accomplishments end to end, Mark, a guy who definitely needs his own wikipedia page, seems to be almost single handedly responsible for the organic movement in Boulder - one that has been spread far and wide by the companies he has started and/or been heavily involved in. To name a few: Horizon Dairy, Alfalfa’s (which later merged with Wild Oats), Rudi’s Organic Bakery, and most recently Greenmont Capital - probably the premier investment fund for early-stage LOHAS companies.

In his acceptance speech, Mark left us with five words of wisdom that he has learned throughout his amazing career:

• Be authentic
• Be vulnerable
• Be accepting
• Be present (and drop the multitasking) - which made me feel guilty for taking notes!
• Be useful

Congratulations to Mark and all the other award winners, all of whom extended support and encouragement to the other budding natural food entrepreneurs in the room.