wisewords Sustainable Foods
& Social Philanthropy A Conversation with Nell Newman by Ellen Mahoney
F
ollowing in her famous parents’ footsteps, Nell Newman, daugh- ter of actors and environmental activists Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman, launched Newman’s Own Organics in 1993 with business partner Peter Meehan. She is also the author of The Newman’s Own Organics Guide to a Good Life: Simple Measures that Benefit You and the Place You Live. Since 1982, the Newman’s Own Foundation, which originated with her father’s company, Newman’s Own, has donated more than $300 million to educational and charitable organiza- tions worldwide.
Why did you decide to create Newman’s Own Organics?
In 1989 I worked as the development director for the Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group, trying to raise money for this small nonprofit. I was very motivated to do this work because I was dumbfounded by how the per- egrine falcon and the bald eagle popu- lations were being decimated due to the use of the synthetic pesticide DDT. But raising money for this organization wasn’t easy.
I started to look closely at the busi- ness model Dad was working on at the time to produce and sell high-quality products, with profits going to various charities. I thought it was a great idea that could be done a little differently, and decided to create an organic line of food products. My hope was to have the line support organic agriculture and better the environment, while provid- ing funds to worthy nonprofits.
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Did your parents always support your definition of truly healthy food?
I grew up in an old Colonial farmhouse in Westport, Connecticut, and my par- ents were always interested in healthy food and cooking. Mom had been a health foodie since the late ’60s, and she taught me how to cook at an early age. Dad taught me how to fish and how to pick ripe produce from the local farm stand. But I realized that Dad associated all health food with nut loaf topped with yeast gravy and “atomic” muffins, made with heavy whole wheat. He had some stubborn ideas about what he thought organic food really was.
So, one year, I secretly prepared a totally organic Thanksgiving dinner for the family. When Dad finished his plate I asked, “So, how did you like your organic dinner?” He was surprised and knew he’d been had, but also realized that organic food didn’t have to taste funny. Our first product for Newman’s Own Organics, an organic pretzel, became Dad’s favorite snack.
How do you advocate for the principles of sustainable agriculture?
My big goal in life is to support the growth of organic agriculture, because the impact is profound. Our company uses as many organic ingredients in our products as we possibly can. Today, I also love to farm or- ganically in my backyard. I have nine chickens, a peach tree, a couple of citrus trees and four raised beds
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