News Room

What if you could take a pill that would improve your health, save the environment, and awaken your spirit of compassion ...would you do it? The idea is not as far fetched as you might think. One of the most effective means to achieve all this is by adopting a vegetarian diet. October is Vegetarian Awareness Month, so it is a good time to reflect on the ethical, environmental, health, and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle. The personal health benefits alone are huge, and the benefits of a shift towards a vegetarian diet by society at large are staggering.

Food costs have soared this year mainly due to increased oil prices which, in terms of food production, is affecting everything including the cost of fertilizers, food transport, and industrial agriculture. In Hawaii, the increased cost of food is aggravated by the higher cost of transporting the goods to the islands. Fully 80 percent of Hawaii's food products are imported via ship or airplane.¹

This past month many of you helped Down to Earth join with the Hawaii Citizens for Food Choice to obtain over 4,000 signatures petitioning the state legislature to hear two bills related to genetic engineering (GE), also known as GMOs—genetically modified organisms. We are deeply grateful for your support.

SB3232 would have required labeling for all GE whole foods sold in Hawaii (fruits and vegetables in their raw or natural state), and SB3233 would have compelled companies to reveal the location of test plots and production of GE crops.

Dear Friends of Down to Earth,

We begin this New Year with a number of terrific upgrades well underway.

As we fast approach Christmas and the New Year, we are reminded that this is a time of compassion and good will and yet another opportunity for the resolve to improve our lives. Every January many customers come in to our stores looking for products that support New Year’s resolutions to achieve better health. As always, and in the spirit of compassion, we encourage them to adopt a healthier diet and lifestyle and consider the idea of going vegetarian or eating less meat. Why?

This year is Down to Earth’s 30th Anniversary. Through your support as loyal customers, you play an instrumental role in our success.