I remember a time when I didn't really pay attention to where things were made…nor felt a need to...
...when I trusted that the products on a store's shelf were safe, I thought, or else wouldn't be there...
…and when shopping was a whole lot easier, despite the many added conveniences we enjoy today.
That was before I was vegan, which bears its own shopping challenges, but even more crucially, it was before I was alerted to some of the environmental and health hazards and rights-betraying atrocities imposed by the under-regulated, if not exploitative, activities of negligent (and sometimes corrupt) corporations that don't just exist in lands afar.
These days, I'm one of those label watchers who studies not only what's in it but also who made it and where before adding anything to my cart, physically or digitally. And the product and packaging marks that give me the most comfort anymore bear words and phrases like organic, veganic, cruelty-free, non-GMO, fair trade, RSPO and Green Palm.
...when I trusted that the products on a store's shelf were safe, I thought, or else wouldn't be there...
…and when shopping was a whole lot easier, despite the many added conveniences we enjoy today.
That was before I was vegan, which bears its own shopping challenges, but even more crucially, it was before I was alerted to some of the environmental and health hazards and rights-betraying atrocities imposed by the under-regulated, if not exploitative, activities of negligent (and sometimes corrupt) corporations that don't just exist in lands afar.
These days, I'm one of those label watchers who studies not only what's in it but also who made it and where before adding anything to my cart, physically or digitally. And the product and packaging marks that give me the most comfort anymore bear words and phrases like organic, veganic, cruelty-free, non-GMO, fair trade, RSPO and Green Palm.
I'm far from alone, as is evident from the skyrocketing demand for organics and mounting pressures for labeling laws, among other trends. But there's another marking I like to see that doesn't attract quite the same following, at least not on a global or national scale, and that's Made in Oregon.
Turns out, I'm not alone there, either. As an Etsy seller, I frequently see traffic coming to my store via “Made in Oregon” searches, and I don’t think that's simply because many Oregonians regard buying local as the right thing to do. I like to believe it has at least something to do with knowing that the wonderful, like-minded peeps who live here and who care as much as we do about our environment and collective well-being are creating products and processes that frequently do more than self-serve.
Turns out, I'm not alone there, either. As an Etsy seller, I frequently see traffic coming to my store via “Made in Oregon” searches, and I don’t think that's simply because many Oregonians regard buying local as the right thing to do. I like to believe it has at least something to do with knowing that the wonderful, like-minded peeps who live here and who care as much as we do about our environment and collective well-being are creating products and processes that frequently do more than self-serve.
The fact that several of those brands are also vegan is the animal-free icing on the cake, and I want to acknowledge these companies for doing what they're doing, which includes taking extra measures to support the health and safety of not just consumers but also the planet and her many inhabitants. So, I've listed them here with a few clips from their websites that explain some of the ways they're going above and beyond providing plant-based and cruelty-free products (which, in and of itself, is fabulous). Take a look:
So Delicious

Thanks to an innovative product offered by the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), businesses like ours can now restore a portion of the water we draw from municipal water sources to critically dewatered rivers and streams. Since 2010, the Water Restoration CertificatesTM (WRCs) we’ve purchased from BEF have kept 10 million gallons of water annually in stream in Oregon’s critically dewatered Middle Deschutes River. All BEF restoration projects are certified by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to ensure that water is returned at a time and place that will produce real environmental benefits.
We’ve adopted an environmentally
friendly purchasing program for all of our facilities, so we now use 100%
recycled paper products, biodegradable cleaners and soaps, energy-efficient
lighting, low-flow water fixtures, and we do our best to recycle wherever
possible.
We’re proud to be recognized for our
efforts, as we were recently certified as a RE:think Business! The RE:think
certification is awarded to businesses in Lane County, Oregon that are
committed to reducing waste, conserving resources, and improving their
environmental performance.
We recognize the responsibility of being a good corporate citizen in the local communities where we live, work, and play, so we’ve initiated a program where all team members can take one day of paid time off each year for volunteering at a charitable organization of their choice.
We live, work, and play in the bike-friendly communities of Eugene and Springfield, Oregon, so we thought, why not make it easier for people to leave their cars at home? Our solution was to create the Alternative Commuting Program, which rewards our employees for taking alternative forms of transportation by collecting and redeeming points for each mile traveled, whether it’s by bike, bus, or carpool. Points can then be redeemed for gift certificates at locally based, sustainable businesses in our community.
We recognize the responsibility of being a good corporate citizen in the local communities where we live, work, and play, so we’ve initiated a program where all team members can take one day of paid time off each year for volunteering at a charitable organization of their choice.
We live, work, and play in the bike-friendly communities of Eugene and Springfield, Oregon, so we thought, why not make it easier for people to leave their cars at home? Our solution was to create the Alternative Commuting Program, which rewards our employees for taking alternative forms of transportation by collecting and redeeming points for each mile traveled, whether it’s by bike, bus, or carpool. Points can then be redeemed for gift certificates at locally based, sustainable businesses in our community.
We even have a “grant” program where
employees can receive a $500 discount off bike gear to help get them started!
Sources: http://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/sustainability & http://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/water-conservation
Tofurky (Turtle Island Foods)
In addition to donating our foods
to homeless shelters, food banks and festivals, we give a portion of profits to
support organizations out there working on behalf of the furry/feathery/scaly
guys.

Animal advocacy groups work to
make the world a safer, friendlier place for all animals, including the ones
who live on farms. They fight for legislation, file litigation and launch
campaigns to protect animals.
Meat reduction initiatives work
with big institutions like schools and hospitals to help them serve less meat
and create more animal-friendly menus. We support these groups who get the word
out here at home and around the globe.
We love our little town. In
addition to supporting local animal rescues, we fund community scholarships and
bolster groups who protect our forests and watersheds. We also have a special
devotion to those who provide nutritious food for folks in need.
At Tofurky, we’re striving to
leave a better planet for future generations. Our packaging is made from mostly
FSC-certified paperboard (that’s the Forest Stewardship Council, who ensures
that the paper comes from responsibly-managed lumber sources). Whenever
possible, we partner with sustainable, organic and Fair Trade vendors to do
business.
Our 400 solar panels generate
enough electricity to power 12 Oregon homes for a whole year. Electric car
drivers can tank up at the charging station in our parking lot.
A rainwater harvesting system and
a rooftop garden give us a hydroefficiency score that’s 40% above the Oregon
building code’s minimum requirements.
Our "Green Team" is
enthusiastically working toward a zero-waste goal – thanks guys! Thanks to
them, we now compost all of our food scraps – that’s 2,750 pounds a week kept
out of the trash can.
We only use non-GMO ingredients,
period. It’s an issue close to our hearts, and we donate and campaign in favor
of GMO labeling.
What is B Corp? It’s like Fair
Trade, but for our entire business, not just the foods we make. Certified B
Corporations have met or exceeded a set of standards for the treatment of their
workers, the sourcing of their supplies, their engagement with local
communities and their impact on the environment. Tofurky is proud to be in the
B Corp club!
Source: http://www.tofurky.com/our-story/a-better-world/
Source: http://www.tofurky.com/our-story/a-better-world/
Coconut Bliss
Our company culture values a lifestyle
of sustainability, and we work to bring sustainable practices to all levels of
our operation.

For the majority of our printing
needs, we’ve partnered with Green Solutions in
our hometown of Eugene, Oregon.
Source: http://coconutbliss.com/about/sustainability
Source: http://coconutbliss.com/about/sustainability
Vtopian Artisan Cheeses http://vtopiancheeses.com
Big on organics, all major and readily
obtainable ingredients are organic. The business also uses eco-products
such as recycled wrappings, recycled eco-labels, and plant-based containers
whenever possible.
Source: http://vtopiancheeses.com/aboutus.sc
Source: http://vtopiancheeses.com/aboutus.sc
Surata Soyfoods

Source: http://www.suratasoy.com/suratasoyfoods.html
Masala Pop
http://eatmasalapop.com
At Masala Pop, we're committed to making not only people-pleasing popcorn, but also a difference in the community and for our planet. We support local community efforts through in-kind donations, fundraising campaigns and volunteerism; in our operations, we follow sustainable practices wherever we can. One of our highest goals is to grow the good we do and inspire other business to do the same.
Source:https://eatmasalapop.com/pages/about-us
Genesis Organic Juice
http://eatmasalapop.com

Source:https://eatmasalapop.com/pages/about-us
Genesis Organic Juice
We’re small so we can be picky
about our 100% organic ingredients because we don’t need a lot. We use the
fewest possible ingredients (just check the label!), of the highest quality,
sourced locally from farms we trust, and processed minimally.
Source: http://www.genesisorganicjuice.com/our-story/ingredients/
Source: http://www.genesisorganicjuice.com/our-story/ingredients/
http://www.brewdrkombucha.com
We believe in having as little impact on
our natural environment _as possible. Here are our current sustainability
practices:
• Supporting ECO: We support Ecology in Classrooms and
Outdoors (ECO), an Oregon non-profit organization that provides hands-on
science enrichment programs to elementary schools. Learn more at ecologyoutdoors.org.
• Fueled
by Biofuel: We power our delivery fleet with fuel made locally and sustainably by SeQuential Biofuels. Learn more at SQbiofuels.com.
• Renewable
energy: We use renewable power from PGE and Pacific Power at our teahouses and kombucha brewery.
• Responsible waste disposal: We compost all compostable byproducts including tea leaves, SCOBYs and paper towels in our teahouses and Brew Dr. Kombucha brewery. We're diligent about recycling everything that can be recycled.
• Toxic Prevention: We utilize non-toxic and biodegradable
cleaning products.
Pacifica

WHILE OUR FRAGRANCE MATERIALS AND
INSPIRATION COMES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, WE TRY TO KEEP MUCH OF WHAT WE DO
RIGHT HERE AT HOME.
Most of what we do is made in the U.S.A.
This gives us greater control over ingredients, the manufacturing process,
product quality and the working conditions of our employees. When we do not
manufacture in our own facility in Portland, Oregon, we make sure that all of
our products and ingredients meet our high standards. Nothing we do is tested
on animals. And we never use animal ingredients.
Pacifica supports our local economy,
working with local box manufacturers and other suppliers. This requires less
shipping of goods into our facility, which in turn means less energy use, less
green house gas emissions and reduced carbon footprint.
Another reason we believe that
supporting local businesses is healthy for our community is the fact that many
studies have shown that locally owned businesses are less likely to leave, and
are more invested in the community's future. This means more jobs, better tax
revenues and a healthier, more vibrant community for our employees and their
children.
Pacifica supports local charities
and donates products to local women's shelters. Studies show that working with
local charities can have an immediate positive effect on a local community.
Source: http://www.pacificabeauty.com/recycling-program
Source: http://www.pacificabeauty.com/recycling-program
Heidi Ho
We embrace economic freedom,
voluntary exchange, combined with social and environmental consciousness. This
is our commitment, giving all of us the ability to engage in positive activity
based upon creativity, optimism, and personal initiative. Our steadfast
convictions are at the forefront of action in honor of the health of our
stakeholders and the health of this planet.
Source: http://www.heidiho.com/aboutus/
Source: http://www.heidiho.com/aboutus/
We strive to be responsible for the entire life span of all of our products from start to finish. Environmental sustainability, from the creation of the lip balm tubing we use (including all who take part in its creation) to the disposal of that tubing, is of utmost concern. We use only tree-free paper produced from hemp stock, soy based inks, and post-consumer recycled content in our correspondence and packaging. Our ultimate goal is to one day use only tree-free hemp stock for all our paper and packaging needs.
Herbivore Clothing
We do our very best to make sure
nothing we sell was made under exploitive labor conditions like those in a
sweatshop.
Source: http://www.herbivoreclothing.com/pages/FAQ.html
Source: http://www.herbivoreclothing.com/pages/FAQ.html
Blue Lotus Chai Company
http://bluelotuschai.com

At Blue Lotus Chai Company, our commitment to serving the greater good has inspired us to donate 10% of our net profits to charitable organizations that are important to us.
Source: http://bluelotuschai.com/community/
Jem

Rox Chox

Rox Chox are individually
packaged in compostable cellulose bags. Our shipping materials are
gleaned from local co-ops.
Other awesome Oregon-based vegan brands include:
Parma!


Organicos

Julie’s Original

So what did I miss? Know of any other great Oregon-based vegan brands? Post ‘em in the comments so that I can add them to the list.
Photo credit for "Made in Oregon" sign: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Made_in_Oregon_(company)