Turtle Island Foods

Tofurky

Turtle Island Foods is the company which produces Tofurky, a popular vegetarian and vegan alternative to turkey, as well other meatless products. All are vegan and approved by the UK Vegan Society, and most are kosher-certified by the Kosher Services of America.

History

Located in Hood River, Oregon, Turtle Island Foods began in 1980 with intentions "to create delicious, nutritious, convenient and affordable vegetarian food."[1] It was founded by Seth Tibbott,[2][3] who began by producing tempeh for friends and family[2] and with their help eventually expanded his company to what is now the second largest tempeh producer in the United States. Turtle Island Foods has no parent company.[2][4] The famous Tofurky was only developed in 1995. In 2008, Turtle Island became a sponsor of The Humane Society, the first food processor to do so in the society's history.[5] In 2011, the company announced plans to build a new plant in Hood River at a cost of $10 million with a goal to achieve a LEED platinum certification on the building.[6][7] The new 33,000-square-foot (3,100 m2) plant opened in October 2012.[3]

Name

The company name is derived from a common legend found amongst the native people of North America.[8] Once, when all of earth was underwater, a turtle offered its shell as a home for land animals, and that shell became North America. As a result, several Native American and First Nations refer to the continent as "Turtle Island".

Ecological responsibility

Genetically modified organisms

Since 1995, when Turtle Island Foods took an official stand against GMOs, they have made "every effort possible" to avoid them.[9]

Organics

Much of what the company produces is organic, and Turtle Island Foods is actually an "Organic Processor", certified as Oregon Tilth Certified Organic.[10]

Hexane

The company completely refuses food ingredients made with hexane solvent extraction, choosing instead expeller pressed isolates and concentrates.[11]

Recycling

In 2005, Turtle Island Foods began to purchase all of its electricity from the Blue Sky renewable energy project of the northwestern United States.[12] All paperboard packaging is recycled.[12] In addition, a certain percentage of each year's Tofurky sales is donated to an environmental charity.[12]

Products

Turtle Island Foods currently produces the following, many in a number of varieties:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Our Story
  2. 1 2 3 Company History
  3. 1 2 Culverwell, Wendy (October 25, 2012). "Turtle Island tops $10M facility with green roof". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  4. ↑ Our Ingredients
  5. ↑ "Tofurky sponsoring Humane Society". Portland Business Journal. March 14, 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  6. ↑ Gunderson, Laura (August 1, 2011). "Tofurky maker, Turtle Island Foods, plans a $10 million plant in Hood River". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Turtle Island Foods plans $10M Hood River plant". Portland Business Journal. August 2, 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  8. ↑ About Our Name
  9. ↑ Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's)
  10. ↑ Organic Ingredients
  11. ↑ Hexane Extracted Soy Isolates
  12. 1 2 3 Sustainability
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