Metromint Blog

celebrating earth day

4/25/08
by Jenn Chan, Area Manager – Northern CA

Women with Metromint totebags at Oakland, CA Earth Day event

This week, we had the opportunity to participate in a few wonderful community Earth Day events sponsored by Whole Foods in the Bay Area. On Tuesday, at the South of Market location, big blue balloons decorated the sky and the side street was filled with people, artists, dancers, musicians, and a variety of vendors. The sample food and drinks were delicious! There were an array of garbage bins with signs instructing folks on differences between recyclable and compostable trash. Neighboring communities came out to enjoy the festive day.

Michele Thorne and I were sampling Metromint at our vendor booth and introduced one of our newest varieties: Chocolatemint. We received a great response from the tasters and some even thought the idea of chocolate mintwater was wild! The biggest highlight from our sampling station was giving away our free Metromint reusable tote bags. Everybody used our bags to fill their groceries and other vendor sample goodies. Just imagine the street filled with moving blue polka dots! Also, we were happy knowing that the tote bags were instantly useful and we hope the bags will be used over and over again.

Overall, Earth Day was full of love, conversation, and education. Good times!

employee wellness initiative

4/1/08
by Joe Villafuerte, Director of Human Resources

This year we are implementing a new health incentive for all Metromint employees, a Wellness Program. The program is aimed at assisting our local and remote employees in maintaining a healthier balance when it comes to their own wellness. The company’s goal is to help boost employee satisfaction, increase productivity, reduce healthcare costs and cut absenteeism. We are working toward the Partnership for Prevention's "Healthy Workforce 2010”, helping America achieve its health objectives for the year 2010.

Our SF based employees have the opportunity to partake in a local health club, offerings from area yoga and dance studios, and a weekly organic fruit delivery. Our Valencia and remote employees may also take advantage of reduced fitness memberships. More wellness initiatives are in the works.

in the spirit of wellness and outreach

3/19/08
by Michele Thorne, Wellness and Outreach Director

Wellness education and community outreach are not only the tenets this company holds close to the vest, but they happen to be the pillars of my work here at Metromint. I consider myself one of the lucky ones because I often get the privilege to meet you, our consumer. Whether through email, phone, photo or in person (which is always good), I am grateful to have the ability to replace the singular term consumer, with many individual personalities.

I have had the great fortune to meet many of you at trade shows, at events where I have facilitated a hydration or wellness class with one of our retailers, at wellness centers and hospitals, or even at schools and countless outdoor events benefiting numerous causes, people and organizations. Truth is, I am usually invited to teach something, but invariably, I always learn something too. Often after the event is over, and while I am returning to the office in our big Metromint van, I get sparked and motivated to continue learning and also reflect on what I have learned.

This past week I was really fortunate because I was invited to share some of my wellness experience with the students at Francisco Middle School. I was also able to meet some of you at the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim, where I co- facilitated an anti-inflammatory foods class with our very own Metromint All Star, Brooke Benlifer. AND I spent some time with over 100 members from a chapter of the West Coast Road Runners in southern California! What I learned, again, was how great it feels to give—whether it is information, water, a smile or thank you.

To teach and to learn is the quintessential way of reciprocity. You all give us so much enthusiasm and support. So, in the true spirit of wellness and outreach (and reciprocity), the next time you have an event at your store, school, center, office or group, think of us at Metromint and give us a chance to give back to you…and remember, STAY HYDRATED!