Seattle, WA October 11th, 2004 –
Washington State Governor, Gary Locke, honors Choice
Organic Teas/Granum, Inc. as a winner of the 2004 Washington
State Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention
and Sustainable Practices. This prestigious award acknowledges
outstanding accomplishments in key areas such as, minimizing
energy use, conserving resources, shifting to non-toxic,
recycled and remanufactured materials, and reducing
or eliminating waste. Granum, Inc., makers of Choice
Organic Teas, left a lasting impression on a reviewer
from Washington State’s Department of Ecology
who said, “This is the most thorough, thoughtful
committed business that I can remember visiting. Everything
we asked about – everything – they’d
already thought about and had an answer for, a solution.”
Tom Fitzsimmons, Governor Locke’s
Chief of Staff declared, “Our Children should
inherit a clean environment, a good economy and healthy
communities. We know that this vision takes effort and
costs money, and we deeply thank you for your investment.”
Company president and founder, Blake Rankin, expressed
his gratitude by saying “We are proud to be recognized
for our pollution prevention efforts and will continue
to be innovative with our sustainable business practices.
Hopefully, awards like this will increase awareness
of socially responsible business practices and encourage
other companies and individuals to change their behavior
in ways that minimize their own environmental footprint.”
Granum, Inc. introduced Choice Organic
Teas in 1989 with three teas from organic Japanese tea
gardens. Fifteen years later, they offer more than seventy
varieties of Black, Green, Oolong, White teas, and herbal
infusions available in tea bags and loose leaf. Choice
Organic Teas became the first tea-crafter in the US
to Fair Trade certify all qualifying teas. Choice Organic
Teas provides exceptional tasting teas with an environmental
and social conscience. Visit http://www.choiceorganicteas.com
for more information.
A photo collage depicting Choice Organic
Teas/Granum, Inc.’s efforts to prevent pollution
and implement sustainable practices will be traveling
throughout Washington State’s regional Department
of Ecology offices.
Visit http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0404013.html
to read the biographies of the winners.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Abby Waysdorf
Choice Organic Teas / Granum, Inc.
(206) 525-0051
http://www.choiceorganicteas.com
