Our Green Home

Manna Organics Multigrain Bread

Ariel — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:03:13 +0000

This bread contains 100% organic ingredients. The ingredient list does not include flour, but instead includes “sprouted organic wheat kernels.” This implies a lower level of processing, but stone ground is not specified. The bakery does not include any information about its environmental or social initiatives, but it’s entire line of 12 breads is organic. This bread is made in the USA, so it is stored and shipped frozen, since organic/preservative-free bread does not have a long shelf life. This requires a more energy-intensive production method due to the extra step of freezing the bread, and in-store storage requires more energy as well.

Rudolph’s Bakery Organic Rye Bread

Lushen — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:02:04 +0000

This bread contains 100% organic ingredients and is made locally at its outlet at 390 Alliance Ave in midtown Toronto, where Rudolph’s stocks both organic and non-organic breads. The flour is not stone-ground. The production method for this bread was not specified, and the bakery does not include any information about its environmental or social initiatives.

Dimpflmeier Organic 100% Rye Bread with Whole Grain

Lushen — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:01:30 +0000

This bread contains 100% organic ingredients and is made locally in Toronto’s west end —the bakery’s outlet at 26-36 Advance Road is popular amongst locals. The flour is not stone-ground. Certification agent OCPP/Procert has certified the ingredients. The production method for this bread was not specified, and the bakery does not include any information about its environmental or social initiatives. While the bread comes double-wrapped in plastic instead of the typical single plastic bag, this may help to avoid spoilage. All of the bakery’s rye breads use organic rye.

Stonemill Bakehouse Organic Bread

Lushen — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:01:06 +0000

This bread contains organic ingredients but the flour is not stone ground. The bakery claims to have an “environmental plan” for its operations. This involves reducing electrical consumption and water use, using phosphate-free cleaners, recycling, choosing emission-free electricity, and using local ingredients. The bakery also says it uses alternative farming and all-natural ingredients, as well as organic grains, but this bread is the only bread containing organic ingredients in this line of 12 breads. Stonemill is available in most major chain stores, at St. Lawrence Market, and its outlet store at 426 Nugget Avenue in Toronto.

ShaSha Bakery Organic Ezekiel Bread

Lushen — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:00:33 +0000

This bread contains organic whole wheat and whole spelt flour that is not specified as stone ground. Over 95% of the ingredients are organic. ShaSha states that it monitors and gets involved with all its third party suppliers so as to promote eco-friendly practices and procedures, and tries to shorten the supply chain whenever possible. The company also maintains and sanitizes its offices with organic and eco-friendly supplies. This bread, along with the bakery’s other organic and non-organic breads, flat breads, pizza crusts, breadcrumbs, and cookies, is available at many fine food stores as well as selected Metro and Loblaw locations.

Ace Bakery Organic Whole Wheat

Ariel — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:52:52 +0000

This preservative-free bread is made with whole wheat, stone-ground flour, and over 95% of the ingredients are organic (except yeast and salt). In addition to creating organic bread, the bakery has a community donations program and donates a percentage of its pre-tax profits to initiatives such as local food and nutrition programs that assist low-income members of the community, culinary scholarships, and organic farming initiatives. The bread comes in a paper bag with a plastic window, which is recyclable, assuming that it is treated the same was as envelopes with plastic windows. Ace’s popular outlet and café are located at 1 Hafis Road in Toronto, where you can browse its large selection of both organic and non-organic breads, crisps, focaccia breads, and buns.

President’s Choice Ice Cream Shop Vanilla

Ariel — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:48:08 +0000

While this ice cream does contain cream it doesn’t contain eggs—and isn’t organic or fair trade—and lists natural flavour as opposed to real vanilla as a flavouring. Although made with 100% Canadian milk, no efforts appear to have been made to mitigate the environmental or social of this product. Given that PC has already created such a vast line of PC Organic products, and has fair trade products as well, why isn’t there a comparable ice cream?

Dorgel Vanilla Cream Gelato

Ariel — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:43:56 +0000

Widely available in most chain stores, this ice cream is actually a gelato. Gelato contains less air and less fat than ice cream, and typically has richer flavours due to the lower fat content. There’s no organic or fair trade ingredients in this gelato and no efforts appear to have been made to mitigate the environmental or social of this product.

Nestle Real Dairy Ice Cream

Ariel — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:41:38 +0000

Real” in this context means a minimal number of preservatives, but it doesn’t mean organic or fair trade. This Nestle ice cream does contain eggs and cream, marks of a premium product, as well as pure ground vanilla beans. But no efforts appear to have been made to mitigate the environmental or social of this product.

Organic Meadow Ice Cream

Lushen — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 21:13:48 +0000

This is the only ice cream we found containing organic and fair trade ingredients. Organic Meadow, owned by a farmers’ cooperative in Ontario, buys its fair trade cocoa and sugar from organic farmers in the Caribbean. While not available in most major chain stores, this ice cream can be found in specialty stores, some Loblaws, and some Shoppers Drug Marts.