Late July Organic Snacks

How Sweet It Is!

 This past fall Whole Foods came to our offices and put together this cool slide show about us! It's a chance to learn a little more about Late July and see us in action! It was especially fun for my sons who are very proud to be part of the company and have been a BIG part of our latest launch into chips (although their hair is a bit shorter now)!  

By the way, the new product we're testing in the video is our latest multigrain tortilla chip - How Sweet Potato It Is! (pictured below) They're certified organic, whole grain, gluten free, non GMO, peanut/tree nut free & delicious just like our original three. As a small, independent, organic brand we truly appreciate it every time you choose to buy one of our products.  

Here's a link to Whole Foods' blog with the complete write up: Whole Story - Supplier Stories: Late July Organic Snacks.  

 

Summer Vacation Fades to Memory...

Thank you summer vacation for being so awesome. You went by way too fast, but I love you anyway! With back-to-school reminders all around, I took some time to look through my pictures and get lost in the memories of this summer's ferry rides, picnics with friends and lazy afternoons on the beach with my boys.  In the immortal words of E.B White's Stuart Little, "Never forget your summertimes."  I promise not to forget this one!

It's Time For Late July! Celebrate With A FREE Case Of Chips!!

 
Usually, the first question I get when I meet new people..."Why'd you name your company Late July?"  For me, this picture says it all.  Late July is the sweet spot of summer.  The perfect moment.  The carefree feeling of childhood and a deep connection to nature.  Eight years ago I set out to create a brand of organic snacks guided by all those things so, of course, I named it Late July!  

To celebrate, I want to hear why YOU love this time of year! Tell us on our website, Facebook or Twitter!  Every Friday until the end of July our favorite answer from the week will get a FREE case of our new chips! 

Full disclosure, my birthday is also July 30th...which might also have something to do with it!

Hope you're having a great summer!

Nicole

A New Season Of Summer Camp Begins & Late July Teams With the American Camp Association to Send Kids to Camp!

As I get my boys ready for the first day of summer camp next week, I feel so grateful for the positive impact camp has had on my family. After the unexpected death of my father two years ago, it was summer camp that helped my oldest son find the way back to his carefree, happy seven-year-old self.  All children deserve the chance to experience the simple joys of childhood.

By donating 10 percent of profits from our new line of Organic Multigrain Snack Chips to the ACA Send a Child to Camp Fund, we hope to help children all over the country have the chance to explore in the woods, swim in the ocean, sit by a campfire under a starlit sky, and experience all the other reasons our company is named Late July. 

My two sons can't wait to start camp next week and I feel so fortunate they are able to have such an amazing summer! Thank you for helping Late July make the camp experience possible for other families with each & every purchase of our new chips!

Learn more about about our partnership:  Download the Late July ACA Media Announcement & help us make a difference today!

Our Sea Salt Chips In Their Natural Habitat!

Happy Earth Day!  Hopefully you'll be able to spend time outside with your family today.  A picnic with our organic chips, perhaps?

Dust Off Your Map and Start Planning a Summer Road Trip!

Most (okay all) of our friends thought we were crazy to pack our two boys & two dogs into our not nearly big enough car for two weeks, but it was so worth it!  Our two weeks were filled with creating lifelong memories like the one pictured above at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival where my boys listened to amazing music like local musician Kermit Ruffins and ate delicious local food like Louisiana crawfish bread.  It was also a good reminder of what Late July is all about - those special moments spent with friends and family that you didn't plan, but stay with you forever.

Everyone asks why I chose the name "Late July" and I always say that Late July is a not just a time of year, it's a feeling, a way of living life that means seizing and relishing those moments.  So I'm officially advocating that everyone go on a family road trip this summer to create your own "Late July" moments.  We'll even provide the road snacks, entertainment and carbon offsets for one lucky family!

To enter send an email to offers@latejuly.com, post on Facebook or comment at www.latejuly.com to tell us where you'd like to take your family this summer or please share a special trip experience from the past.  Our trip this year was my favorite, but we're hoping to get a few good ideas from you for next year.  All submissions will get coupons, but our favorite will also WIN a Late July Beach Bag filled with at least $50 worth of Late July Organic Snacks, a $25 iTunes gift card and we'll also carbon offset your trip!

Full disclosure:  we did have a few Wally World moments too, but that's part of what made it a great trip!

My Top 10 Eco Gifts of the Year

Happy Holidays everyone.  I wanted to share some of the best eco-friendly holiday gifts I've seen this year. Hint, hint to my family & friends... 

10.

Organic Wine Club Membership from Medlock Ames Winery.  The recipient will get 4 shipments of either 2 or 6 bottles of pre-release wines and special access to their beautiful "by appointment only" winery that has been called "an extraordinary example of environmental sustainability".  I am a member and look forward to every shipment!

9.

 
Give someone an original movie poster from Posterati.  I know movie posters aren't traditionally associated with eco, but this gift is the ultimate in reuse!  There are so many to choose from, you can pick their favorite movie or one that will remind them of a favorite memory. 

8.

 
Late July's mixed cookie pack or cookie cracker sampler!  Make sure your favorite college student is well fed!  Email us at info@latejuly.com about a snack of the month club.

7.

 

Snuggleherd's adorable upcycled tshirt stuffed animals make great presents!  Each comes with a cute story and you can also get a matching romper.

6.

 

Handmade recipe journal.  Help someone create a lasting family keepsake.  I have one that holds all my special family recipes and my kids get so excited every time I get it off the shelf.  Pictured is one from Bittybook's and this one I found at Uncommon Goods is handmade and uses recycled paper.  You could also make your own from recycled materials.  This gift will be in their family for generations. 

5.

 
 
Seedling Pot maker and spider web frame!  Create little pots for seedlings with old newspapers. Combine this gift with organic sunflower seeds and this garden spider web frame and even my seven year old would think it was cool!

4.

 
Give your favorite family cookie recipe, an itunes holiday playlist and these wonderful mixing bowls from Preserve made from 100% post consumer #5 plastic.

3.

For the little chef.  My 3 year old loves to cook pretend food.  Last year he got a wooden play kitchen.  This year I'm getting him this set from Green Toys to go with it!  It's made from 100% recycled milk jugs and contains no lead paint or BPA.

2.

 

Home canning gift.  A canning set and book make the perfect gift for the organic gardener.  Weck Home Canning Company makes glass jars with glass lids so they don't contain BPA like standard metal lids. Weck has an order form on their website.

1.

 
Looking for a sentimental gift that will last a lifetime?  Then a seasoned cast iron skillet is the perfect gift!  My husband gave me one this summer and I was skeptical (and a little scared) at first that it would really be as non-stick as you hear.  I imagined myself having to spend hours cleaning every time I used it, but the one he gave me came seasoned and after just a few uses it has become one of my favorite pans!  It's so nice to be able to use a non-stick pan again without worrying about cancer causing materials.  I can't wait to see my skillet 50 years from now!  Now I just need a second so I can pass them down to my sons!   
 

WIN a signed copy of Dr. Jane Goodall's New Book!

I've tried to raise my sons to have a strong bond with animals and nature and to treat all living things with respect.  This is one of the reasons we were so excited to work with Dr. Jane Goodall and decided to donate profits from our new mini cookies to her institute.  Late July worked with Dr. Goodall to choose seven animals for our new cookies out of the many wonderful stories of hope in her new book. Through this experience we learned that the efforts of just one person can sometimes be enough to save an entire species. After much deliberation we selected the red wolf, leatherback sea turtle, chimpanzee, Sumatran rhino, giant panda, pygmy rabbit and the black footed ferret - all of which have been brought back from the brink of extinction through the efforts of dedicated individuals like Dr. Goodall. 

 

We have always believed that giving back needs to be a central part of Late July and doing this project with the Jane Goodall Institute has allowed us to support a long time personal hero of mine.  We are currently looking for other individuals like Dr. Goodall with charitable organizations to work with for our next new products and would love to hear your suggestions! 

For a chance to win a signed copy of Hope For The Animals, email us at offers@latejuly.com or post a comment on our facebook page describing a person or an organization you think we should consider and why.  Please put "Late July should support" in the subject line or comment. One entry will win the book, but all entries will receive Late July coupons (be sure to include your mailing address in the email). Deadline is October 31st.

"These delightful cookies are delicious, and they're making a difference!  Each day, with every choice you make, you can make a difference too-even when you're at the local market. These cookies will not only educate parents and children about endangered species, but they'll help the Institute continue its critical work." -Dr. Jane Goodall

Back to School 2009!

It's official, my family was on time every day for the 1st week of school.  I'd like to think it was my careful planning that made it possible, but I think it was more likely the fact that both sons were so excited they were waiting by the door 15 minutes early each day!  On the lunch box front, I thought I'd share their top lunch box favorites from week one.  Please tell us your success stories too, as a busy mom I could use the help.  I usually start to run out of creative ideas by week 3!    Share your ideas in a comment at latejuly.com or on our facebook page.  Our favorite will get a free Late July lunch bag filled with snacks and a coupon for a box of free mini cookies! 

1.  Homemade banana muffins - I baked a batch on Sunday and packed them as their snack Mon & Tues.

2.  Late July Mini Sandwich Cookies - Milk Chocolate Variety.  These are my youngest son's favorite!

3.  Oatmeal Bread Italians - Rudy's Organic Oatmeal Bread, Applegate Organic Ham, Organic Valley Cheese, Cascadian Farms Pickles, Bionatura Olive Oil, Spectrum Red Wine Vinegar & a dash of Simply Organic Garlic Salt.  For my preschooler (not my 1st grader!) I used a cookie cutter to make a car shape.   

4.  Either an Organic Valley String Cheese or Stonyfield Yogurt Tube each day.  Tip from our friends at Stonyfield: freeze the yogurt tube overnight and let it thaw in the lunchbox! 

5.  Late July Rich Crackers, Mini Apple Slices and Organic Sunbutter in a little container.

6.  Cucumber Sushi Rolls - The cucumbers were from our garden!  I made these for dinner the night before. 

Hope everyone's school year is off to a great start!

Help Late July Support Cancer Research As We Walk In Memory of My Dad

My father was one of the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk's original sponsors and throughout his long history with The Jimmy Fund was always a supporter of this annual event.  The walk is one of Dana Farber's major fundraisers and takes place this year on Sunday, Sept. 13th.

In his memory, Late July has become a sponsor donating snacks for all the rest stops and my mother, 7 year-old son and I will be joining the thousands of walkers.  Help us by visiting our team page, starting your own team or offering support along the route. 

The Jimmy Fund held a special place in my father's heart ever since he toured Dana Farber back in the 1980s.  He was especially moved by their work finding cures for once incurable childhood cancers.  We decided to use this year's walk to recognize how important this charity was to him when he was alive and to celebrate the positive contributions that came out of his involvement all these years.   I'm sure it will be an emotional day, but I am grateful for the opportunity to carry on my father's commitment to this very important cause.