Sambazon Supports Surfers For Autism

On September 19th Surfers For Autism, a non-profit group designed to support the efforts of a collaboration of surfers, volunteers and sponsors dedicated to bringing the sport of surfing to families and children affected by autism set up an event at Lori Wilson Park in Cocoa Beach, FL. Sambazon’s east coast road warrior Toby Taylor was there providing kids and adults with Sambazon açaí juices and smoothies. Here are his words that recap the feeling of this event...pretty powerful stuff:

When I got to the Beach early to set-up, the waves were perfect size for the kids. It was going to be a great day of Healing for all of us. Our Souls and hearts were touched. Something special was in the air, all the sponsors, instructors and volunteers were stoked and full of energy. Then the kids came, some were a bit anxious and didn’t know what to expect. But once they got in the water the healing stoke was everywhere, these kids started to smile, and they smiled the whole day, walking the beach and trying to communicate. Some would talk and others would just give you a big smile, we all connected that day on the beach. When you’re in the water all the problems of the day just seem to go away for awhile and you’re a kid again. When the kids were in the water you felt something special in the salt air. It was one of the greatest Surf sessions I’ve had in a long time.

-TT (South East Promotions Manager)


Click here to check out more photos of this event or click here to join Surfers For Autism’s facebook group.

Thanks to Surfers For Autism for inviting us to work with such an amazing group!

I ♥ Brasil! By David Zitko (Western Sales Manager)

Brasil, ok... now I understand… at least a little better.  I just got back from my first trip to Brasil (after working here at Sambazon for over 5 years) and I can’t find the words to describe the beauty and the feelings I have for that country, the culture, its people, the music. We spent some quality time in Rio and more quality time up in Macapa, home to our açaí factory in the State of Amapa.  Two very different places yet both still Brasil in all facets.  

Rio is such a great city!  I only got to see a little yet I was blown away by the people, the views and the fresh food… I was amazed by the food.  We ate delicious, healthy, tasty food every day and the flavors and quality of the meals were unbelievable.  Since it is South America, it was Winter in Brasil of course but we still enjoyed very warm days and even a little beach time in Ipanema.  Vendors sell everything from fresh coconuts and açaí to t-shirts and jewelry on the beach and the boardwalk.  The water temp was about the same as a Summer day in San Clemente, right around 70 degrees.   We also spent half a day visiting the Corcovado, which is the giant statue of Christ that overlooks Rio from one of its highest points.   It is one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever experienced.    

Up in the Amazon, we toured the factory and tasted fresh açaí that hadn’t been plucked off the tree for longer than a few hours.  The factory looked like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory with everyone in clean white suits and masks.  Right next door there is a tile and brick factory which uses all of the processed seeds from the facility to fire their kilns.  Previously this brick maker had to burn hard woods but now the seeds and some wood chips produce the same energy to get the job done.  Everyone thought that was very cool and it really showed how even in remote places like the Brasilian Amazon you can find green practices taking over.  After we visited the brick factory we stopped by a local public school that our non profit endeavor, the SAP, supports.   The students were making jewelry out of the polished seeds and learning everything from business skills to local sustainability actions.  I purchased some nice pieces and toured the school after.  The people were so gracious and warm to us.  We also got to stop at the monument on the equator and take some pictures from the place where North meets South.

Brasilians are very well known for their fervent nationalism and energy when it comes to representing their country.   Before, I never gave it more thought than being typical pride.  Now I understand a little better why someone from Brasil can be so happy and proud of where they come from.  Now I understand a little better and can’t wait to go back. 

-Written by David Zitko (Western Sales Manager)

We’re consumers too…

You know, I was just thinking… Before Sambazon, what was it that drew me to a given brand and what is it that’s kept me loyal to certain brands all the years I’ve been grocery shopping.

A couple things come to mind when I think about brands I love like Traditional Medicinals herbal heath products and New Chapter supplements. Firstly, I learned about the brands through people whom I respect greatly. Secondly, like a good friend the brands are reliable - consistently potent and effective from the day I began buying them.

Now when I look at these beloved brands through the eyes of my experience with Sambazon, I have more respect for them than ever. I’ve come to learn first-hand how incredibly challenging it is to consistently produce products of the highest quality. It takes professionalism and a high degree of organization for sure but more impressively; it takes burning passion and a truly intense commitment to manifest a vision.

Whole Foods Market has a saying, ‘vote with your dollars’. I guess the saying is pretty much self-explanatory but it’s become particularly personal to me. Now when I shop, I use my intuition to try to sense what a given brand’s motivations are, what their guiding principles are, knowing that each of my purchases has a direct effect on shaping product trends.

It’s really cool to see how the natural foods movement has exploded as savvy shoppers increasingly choose products they feel are respecting the health of themselves and their families. I have to smile each time I walk into a conventional supermarket and am able to find Traditional Medicinals’ products - Pharmacopoeial potency herbs just an isle down from sprayable cheeses… are you kidding me?


Onward & Upward,

-skanda

Seattle shows it's true colors

On the road home from Bumbershoot I started thinking, it’s funny how things work out sometimes. Like rain and weather and waterproof jackets. Like Seattle’s biggest Music Festival Bumbershoot and the perfect three day storm. And seriously, it was perfectly unfortunate. Sunny and warm for setup day, pouring and cold for day 1,2 and 3, and clear for packout, sunny the next morning.

As you all know, açaí juices, smoothies, bowls are all cold refreshing nourishing goodness, but in the middle of a winter storm, that just happens to arrive in the middle of summer, sometimes, you tend to stay away from cold. But not for Seattleites. One thing I learned this weekend, is that throughout the rain, the cold, and the muddy grounds, Seattleites just push on like they don’t care, like the rain isn’t even there. Soaked to the bone they still seek out the healthy goodness that Sambazon has to offer and will jump at a frozen açaí bowl over hot steamy fried festival food any day.

So thank you Seattle for all your love, for buying us out of product in the middle of the cold, and for all the great music. We’ll be back next year, that’s for sure.

Power to the purple,
Kaia