CANADIAN BRAND EVIVE NUTRITION REVOLUTIONIZES THE FOOD INDUSTRY WITH BLENDER-FREE SMOOTHIE CUBES AND 2 IN 1 LUNCHES

After winning over Canada’s ​Dragon’s Den ​investors, Evive expands product sales across Canada and the US

Nutritious, time-saving and satisfyingly delicious, ​Evive’s blender-free smoothies – starring whole fruits and veggies, superfoods and plant-based protein – are proving it’s possible to eat healthy without sacrificing time, budget or flavour.

A rising star among nutrition brands worldwide, Evive was founded in Sherbrooke, Quebec, by Dominic Dubé and Claudia Poulin, who saw a gap in the market for delicious, wholesome meals that don’t require time-consuming prep or cooking. Dominic stepped away from his Engineering degree and Claudia paused her Master’s program, and together the health-savvy couple crafted their debut product prototype in their parents’ garage. In 2019, the pair appeared on ​Dragon’s Den t​ o resounding success, receiving an investment offer that exceeded their initial ask. Today, their commitment to healthy food and impactful entrepreneurship continues to flourish as Evive, the product of their passions, swiftly expands across North America.

Evive has earned a place in the hearts of busy moms, students, entrepreneurs, gym-goers and anyone else seeking a high-quality, easily consumable meal in a hurry. The brand’s superfood-packed, certified organic and vegan smoothies are purposefully designed to promote physical and psychological health, with each combination tested and approved by nutritionists. Requiring just 30 seconds to make – simply pop the cubes in a bottle, add water, juice or plant-based milk and shake – the smoothies are also budget-conscious, priced between $3,65 and $4.25 per portion. Fourteen functional flavours are currently available, each boasting ingredients targeted for brain support, glowing skin, detoxification and boosting energy, among other coveted benefits.

In addition to its cult-status smoothies, Evive offers a variety of healthy bowl and soup cubes that can be heated in mere minutes and added to their newly released lunch sides that includes pasta, rice or quinoa for decadent yet vitamin-packed sustenance. Whether Bam Chili boasting a cornucopia of black beans, tomatoes, pumpkin seeds, lime, corn and carrots enhanced with a sizzling blend of spices, to Mac Squash, whose flavourful mix of butternut squash, cashew, onion, nutritional yeast and miso offers an ultra-healthy substitute to the typical mac-and-cheese, Evive is granting consumers an attractive alternative to cooking that enhances access to antioxidant-rich ingredients.

“I’m very excited to introduce Evive to Canadian and US consumers, particularly as we approach the holiday season and need no-hassle and nutritious meals to fuel us through hectic days,” said Claudia Poulin, co-founder of Evive Nutrition. “The brand has come such a long way, and we are delighted by the support and love we’ve received from consumers and partners over the years. We designed Evive to inject flavour and fun into healthy eating, and we’re happy that people are enjoying our smoothie cubes as much as we do!”

Evive’s commitment to health and wellbeing extends to a ​passion for sustainability​. In 2019, the company introduced its “Plant a Tree” initiative with ​Compensation CO2 Quebec​, where the purchase of a box of 24 or 36 smoothies helps create and expand the Evive forest. Evive aims to plant more than 5,000 trees by the end of 2020, with an overarching goal of obtaining carbon-neutral certification in 2023. All products are packaged in recyclable containers made from salvaged water bottles, and shipment boxes are lined with compostable hemp for an eco-friendly alternative to polystyrene coolers.

The first Canadian brand to successfully ship frozen foods, Evive sells its palate-pleasing products on their website through a subscription program. Online shoppers are able to customize their orders based on product preference, delivery frequency, product count and benefit of free shipping directly to their door. Products are also available at 2,000 stores across Canada, and 100 in the US. For more information, visit evivenutrition.ca​.

About Evive Nutrition

Evive is a pioneering nutrition brand whose antioxidant-packed, time-saving and satisfyingly delicious blenderless smoothies have raised the standard for budget-friendly, ready-to-go meals. Starring whole fruits and veggies, superfoods and plant-based protein, the brand’s smoothies and meal cubes are purposefully designed to promote physical and psychological health, with each combination tested and approved by nutritionists. Evive’s commitment to health extends to the health of the planet, with its “Plant a Tree” initiative supporting an overarching goal to obtain carbon-neutral certification by 2023. The brand has expanded quickly across Canada and the US, thanks in part to a successful appearance on ​Dragon’s Den that resulted in offers from all five investors and a final agreement exceeding the initial ask. evivenutrition.ca​.

Drake’s Organic Spirits® Expands National Distribution 

Minnesota-based organic spirits manufacturer tapping demand 

for ready-to-drink cocktails with innovative new Boxtails™

Minneapolis, MN (February 17, 2021)- Drake’s Organic Spirits, founder of the better-for-you and better-for-the-planet spirits category, announced today that its new ready-to-drink (RTD) all-organic Boxtails are being offered by more major liquor retailers across the country.

Drake’s Organic Boxtails are now available at 25 WB Liquors & Wine locations across Texas, all 22 Lee’s Discount Liquors locations in Nevada, 20 Rouses Markets in Louisiana and seven WinCo locations in Arizona.  Boxtails can also be found in Cub Wine & Spirits locations in Minnesota and Crown Wine & Spirits and Mega Wine & Spirits in Florida. 

Boxtails are pre-mixed organic craft cocktails featuring Drake’s ultra-premium organic certified vodka and rum.  Offered in Watermelon Tini, Mango Punch, Mojito and Black Cherry Limeade, Drake’s Organic Boxtails provide a quick and easy way to enjoy delicious organic cocktails with less waste than canned seltzers.  Boxtails are Certified USDA Organic Gluten Free®, Non-GMO, vegan and kosher. Each box contains 1.75 liters of pre-mixed organic cocktails with 12% alcohol similar to a standard mixed cocktail. 

“Top liquor retailers across the country are adding Boxtails to their shelves because their customers want the convenience and great taste that Boxtails offer,” said Drake’s Founder/CEO Mark Anderson.  “Boxtails are easy to pour, easy to store and made with only the best sustainably farmed organic ingredients.  Like all Drake’s Organic Spirits products, Boxtails contain no unnecessary chemicals, pesticides or artificial colors.”

Drake’s Organic Spirits can be found in 33 states as well as Japan, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.   A complete list of locations offering Drake’s Organic Spirits products can be found at https://www.drakesorganicspirits.com/find-us.

In addition to award-winning organic vodka, white rum and spiced rum, Drake’s product line includes Spiked Ice freeze-and-eat adult treats and organic Bloody Mary and Mojito mixes.  Drake’s Organic Spirits is the first and only spirits line in the world certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, vegan and kosher.   

About Drake’s Organic Spirits 
Launched in 2017, Minneapolis-based Drake’s Organic Spirits is the first and only spirits line in the world certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free, vegan and kosher.   Drake’s uses the highest quality USDA organic and non-GMO Project Verified ingredients to create a line of ultra- premium, 12x distilled spirits and mixes at a better price than the leading premium brands.  

Drake’s Organic Premium Vodka was awarded Double Gold and Drake’s Organic White Rum  received Gold at the most recent Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) Convention & Exposition in Orlando, FL.  The highly-respected awards are widely considered among the most prestigious in the industry because judges are industry experts who blind taste-test each spirit. 

Health Food Innovator Edward & Sons Trading Company, Inc. – First To Introduce Miso-Cup® Instant Soup & Gluten-Free Baked Brown Rice Snaps® To American Consumers –Marks 40^th Anniversary Milestone

CARPINTERIA, CA., MARCH 8, 2018 - The first Whole Foods Market wouldn’t open in Austin, Texas, for another two years. The first Sprouts wouldn’t make its debut in Arizona for another 24 years. Vegetarians were relegated to the shadows in most supermarket settings, and for much of the population, the term Vegan sounded like something out of “Star Trek.”

The year was 1978 and the health food revolution was in its infancy. But a young man named Joel Dee with a vision of what the industry could one day become saw the future. And it was delicious.

As a young man, Joel worked alongside his two brothers and their father, Edward, in the family’s iconic New Jersey-based business, Smarties Candy Company. But, as fate would have it, Joel’s interests extended well beyond the confection industry.

“I was responsible for export sales at the candy company and found it difficult to maintain a healthy, satisfying diet while on-the-road,” Joel recalls today. “Health food stores sold wholesome foods that required a kitchen and a long cooking time, both in short supply to a `road warrior’ such as myself. Conventional supermarkets sold convenience foods that were laced with preservatives and artificial ingredients, which I was determined to avoid. To make things even tougher, I had recently become vegetarian, so my restaurant menu options were often limited to salad and potatoes... not exactly a balanced diet.”

Adds Joel, “I was a traveling salesman who needed portable, nourishing, easy to prepare vegetarian food without artificial ingredients, but I couldn’t find it anywhere in 1976 America. I wondered: Could I be the only person who wants this? I hadn’t planned to start a new business, but I felt somewhat obliged to.  If I wouldn’t take on the job of creating wholesome, vegetarian convenience foods, it occurred to me that no one else would either.”

With that motivation in mind, Joel began a two year effort to develop Miso-Cup® instant soup mix and, with its launch in 1978, Edward & Sons Trading Company, Inc. was born.

A History of “Firsts”                                                                                                                                                                              

As it turned out, introducing instant Miso-Cup soup would be only the first of numerous company innovations that would continue for the next forty years. In 1979, for example, Edward & Sons introduced Baked Brown Rice Snaps® whole grain, gluten free crackers, decades before American shoppers would demand gluten free groceries on a massive scale. Numerous “first-to-market” vegan organic products followed, including canned coconut milk, hearts of palm, pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges, Worcestershire sauce, croutons, panko, ice cream cones and many more.

According to Joel, “We tend to do `firsts’ because that’s what we’re passionate about. We are driven to provide new options to our health-aware consumers, while creating markets for our ethical organic farmers and packers around the globe. We’re proud of our activities that protect native forests and support conversion from conventional to organic farming, which nourishes the environment while enhancing the well-being of everyone along the supply chain from farm to table.”

Indeed, Joel and his team have successfully developed so many different products over these past 40 years that they’ve chosen to create subsidiary brands to market and distinguish them all, including the flagship Edward & Sons® brand as well as Native Forest®,  Let’s Do Organic®, Let’s Do Gluten-Free®, More Than Fair®, Nature Factor®, Road’s End Organics®, Premier Japan® and The Wizard's®. 

Regardless of the brand name on the package, however, all products under the Edward & Sons umbrella are defined by the company’s longstanding commitment to excellent vegetarian food and to its enduring motto: Convenience Without Compromise.®

As Joel sums up, “We remain a vegetarian company that’s mission-driven to offer consumers delicious and nourishing convenience foods free of artificial ingredients. That’s how we’ve run the business for the past 40 years and it’s how I envision Edward & Sons to be run for the next 40 years - and beyond.”

For more information, please visit www.edwardandsons.com.

Why Sleep Is So Important During a Training Regimen

Athletes have enough problems to deal with, and the last thing they need is excessive fatigue. Getting enough sleep is simple when you manage your time well and consider the many benefits to your health. Getting enough sleep while you train vigorously is essential for the following reasons.

Naps Are Not Practical

People who don't sleep at night are more likely to fall asleep during the day. Napping is appropriate when you're in college and studying for exams, but when you're a fast-moving athlete training for a big game, you need to remain awake. Most training sessions occur during the day and continue for long hours until the evening. The best solution is to get enough sleep at night.

Boost Energy Levels

Sleep reinvigorates the body to give you the energy needed to stay active. You cannot run fast or remain focused when you're tired from a lack of sleep. Then, you'll think only of lying down to take a quick nap and never remain wholly focused on performing well.

Improve Overall Health

Sleep is beneficial at improving the health of every organ and system in your body. Sleeping gives your body's cells enough rest at night to rebuild themselves during the day. Sleep is needed the most for people with serious health conditions that interfere with their sleep. Those who have difficulty breathing can invest in CPAP supplies to open their airways wider while they sleep.

Improve Healing

Having a healthy body improves your chances of healing from a sports injury. Your body is strong enough to repair wounds, fight off infections and rebuild connective tissue. Your immune system is strong, making you less likely to get sick and miss important training days.

Improve Moods

People who get enough sleep at night are less moody and irritable. A calm, stable mood is important to have during a strenuous training regimen. It's easy to get frustrated with a mundane routine or not want to take orders from the instructor. You could get mad at yourself when you don't meet a certain goal. A lack of sleep makes everything more stressful when you're dealing with situations that are already difficult.

A good night's sleep is recommended to people of all ages and backgrounds. There is no group that benefits more than athletes who are undergoing vigorous training regimens. If they want to perform their best, it's not an option that they receive the recommended number of hours of sleep every night.

Novacap Closes TMT VI at US$1.865 Billion

Firm's largest ever investment vehicle brings assets under management to more than C$6 Billion, builds momentum for 40^th anniversary

MONTREAL, Feb. 17, 2021 /CNW/ - Novacap, one of Canada's leading private equity firms, announced today the closing of Novacap TMT VI ("TMT VI" or "the Fund") at US$1.865 billion, including significant commitments from the Novacap partners and employees as well as from Novacap's Executive Fund. The Fund is the largest ever raised by Novacap.

With strong demand, TMT VI was significantly oversubscribed, exceeding its target of US$1 billion. Virtually all investors in the firm's TMT V vehicle committed to TMT VI, while adding important new investors from the US, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The investor base for TMT VI includes sovereign wealth funds, public and corporate pension plans, insurance companies, endowments and foundations, family offices and advisory firms. 

"We are extremely gratified for the opportunity to partner with such a prominent group of investors from around the globe," said Pascal Tremblay, President, CEO and Managing Partner of Novacap. "The successful closing of TMT VI continues the strong momentum in all our verticals: TMT, Industries and Financial Services. The Novacap franchise has never been stronger, and we are grateful for this momentum as we enter our fifth decade. Just as we have done throughout our history, TMT VI will seek to invest in growing, market-leading businesses led by talented entrepreneurs seeking a value-added partner to accelerate growth."

The Fund will continue the successful strategy of Novacap's previous TMT funds by making control growth investments in profitable technology and technology-enabled businesses. Sectors of interest include software, business services, internet infrastructure, and e-commerce, including solutions in the energy and healthcare markets. TMT VI will be led by partners Pascal Tremblay, Stéphane Tremblay, François Laflamme, Ted Mocarski, Eric Desrosiers, and David Lewin and supported by investment and operations teams with extensive experience in the TMT sector.

Recent milestones in the firm's TMT vertical include the exits of Intelerad and PKWare, and the initial public offering of Nuvei Corporation (TSX:NVEI, NVEI.U). Nuvei was the largest ever IPO of a Canadian technology company, with a current market capitalization of C$10.3 billion.

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC acted as exclusive advisor and placement agent for TMT VI and Davies, Ward, Phillips & Vineberg LLP acted as legal counsel. 

About Novacap

Founded in 1981, Novacap is a leading Canadian private equity firm with more than C$6B of AUM that has invested in more than 90 platform companies and completed more than 140 add-on acquisitions. Applying its sector-focused approach since 2007 in TMT, Industries and now Financial Services, Novacap's deep domain expertise can accelerate company growth and create long-term value. With experienced, dedicated investment and operations teams as well as substantial funding, Novacap has the resources and knowledge to build world-class businesses. Novacap has offices in Brossard, Quebec and Toronto, Ontario. For more information, please visit www.novacap.ca.

SOURCE Novacap Management Inc.

Aifred Health Partners with Pender & Howe Executive Search to Recruit for VP of Software Development & Delivery

MONTREAL, Feb. 17, 2021 /CNW/ - Pender & Howe Executive Search has announced the Vice President of Software Development & Delivery recruitment on behalf of Aifred Health. Aifred is a digital health company focused on clinical decision support in mental health, starting with depression.  Aifred was recently selected as one of the 3 finalists for the IBM Watson AI XPRIZE out of 700 teams and is competing for the grand prize of US$3.0 million which will be awarded in June 2021.

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Aifred operationalizes best-evidence guidelines, together with AI-based insights, to support better treatment management, and matching of individual patients to the right treatment. Aifred plans to encompass a broad spectrum of mental health conditions, leveraging their treatment-agnostic AI model. At its core, Aifred is focused on bringing better mental healthcare to all.

As a result of organizational growth and recent $4M seed financing co-led by MEDTEQ+ and BDC Capital, with additional support from the Desjardins Group, Highline Beta and other private and institutional investors, Aifred is seeking a qualified and experienced Vice President of Software Development & Delivery with proven success in running EHR/EMR integration implementation projects, deploying digital health tools and managing software development. The Vice President of Software Development & Delivery will execute the Aifred product development vision, from requirements to development, and from validation to seamless deployment at all customer sites across the U.S. and Canada.

This position will be based in Montreal, but a remote location within Canada may be considered.

About Pender & Howe

Pender & Howe is a boutique retained executive search firm that specializes in identifying world class executive leaders for governing boards and decision makers. More information about Pender & Howe is available at www.penderhowe.com.

For a full position description as well as details on how to apply for consideration, please visit https://cutt.ly/akR9pdR

SOURCE Pender & Howe Executive Search

Organizations, experts address increased physical inactivity during pandemic

Change for Good Health seeks to make it easier for Canadians to access exercise for their health

TORONTO, Feb. 17, 2021 /CNW/ - A group of Canadian businesses, community organizations, non-governmental organizations, researchers and healthcare experts are working together to examine how the pandemic is contributing to unhealthy lifestyles and consider ways to make physical activity available to more people in Canada, especially marginalized communities and vulnerable populations.

Championed by David 'Patch' Patchell-Evans, a physical fitness pioneer in Canada and the founder and CEO of GoodLife Fitness and Fit4Less, the Change for Good Health project is intended to address the health impacts of inactivity, as well as longstanding inequities when it comes to accessing physical activity. Patch is working with Toronto-based social good consultants impakt, to convene a group of experts to co-create potential solutions to the heightened risks of inactivity exposed by the pandemic, leveraging existing research and programs.

"I believe that fitness should be a right for everyone living in Canada, but to make that a reality, we have to give everyone the opportunity to be physically active, particularly those who face significant barriers in the first place. It should just be part of living here, like going to school or seeing a doctor," said Patchell-Evans. "We know most people aren't active enough, and the pandemic has really brought this health issue to the forefront. It will take a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to help more people get moving for their mental and physical health. We need diverse perspectives and expertise to find the best way forward."

Before the pandemic, only about one in five Canadians (of any age) were getting the recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Remote work, home-schooling, shelter in place measures and the closure of fitness, recreation and sport facilities and programs are contributing to more sedentary behaviour.  

On top of that, anxiety and depression have risen dramatically. Canadians are reporting their highest levels of anxiety (23%) and depression (15%) – above the levels at the peak of COVID's first wave.

There is mounting evidence that the lack of access to physical activity and recreation opportunities has put more people than ever at risk of lowered immunity, heart disease, obesity, substance abuse and increased stress and loneliness. Those risks can be even greater for people in vulnerable communities who may also be experiencing lower income, precarious home or work situations, marginalization or other conditions that threaten access to good health outcomes.

Change for Good Health will gather a diverse group of stakeholders from healthcare, academia, sport and recreation, and non-governmental organizations to take part in a series of roundtable discussions focusing on ways to collaborate and innovate to create more opportunities to be active, especially for people who need it most. 

Other organizations taking part in Change for Good Health include Abilities Centre, Bootcamps for Change, Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada, Canadian Tire Jump Start Charities, Canadian Women & Sport, canfitpro, Diabetes Canada, Exercise is Medicine Canada, Global Wellness Institute, GoodLife Kids Foundation, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Jays Care Foundation, MLSE LaunchPad, Right To Play, Unsinkable, and YMCA. 

Academic and medical experts participating in the round tables include Dr. Gordon Asmundson (psychology, University of Regina), Dr. Paul Oh (cardiology, University Health Network), Dr. Nicole Culos-Reed (kinesiology, University of Calgary) and Dr. Iris Lesser, (kinesiology, University of Fraser Valley), Dr. Bruce Kidd (kinesiology, University of Toronto), among others.

Participants will share their expertise and ideas at three Change for Good Health online roundtable discussions this month. 

1. Fitness as a right, health equity. Making the case for opportunities to be physically active as a basic right and necessity, during and after the pandemic. 
2. The impact of physical inactivity on mental, emotional, and social health. 
3. Addressing the health and wellness of children and families through physical activity.

Participant insights and ideas will inform a discussion document and recommendations, as well as a preliminary roadmap for the future to bring opportunities for physical activity to more people in Canada. 

Click here to find out more about Change for Good Health.

SOURCE GoodLife Fitness

21st Amendment Brewery Teams Up with the Pink Boots Society & Animation Artist Robin EisenbergFor the Nationwide Release of a New IPA Supporting the Advancement of WomenIn the Craft Beer Industry
MOON BOOTS IPA
In Partnership with the Pink Boots Society, 21st Amendment Brewery Advocates for Women's Careers in the Industry by Funding "Certified Cicerone Level-Two Course and Exam" Scholarships, and a "Women In Leadership" Certificate Scholarship (eCornell University) for Pink Boots Members 
San Francisco, Calif. -- Tuesday, February 16, 2021 -- Though the craft beer industry's demographics and workforce are evolving away from beer bellies and beards, there's still much room for change to reflect the growing diversity of the craft beer consumer. 21st Amendment Brewery advocates for the advancement of exceptionally talented women in partnership with the Pink Boots Society for the limited-edition release of Moon Boots IPA. Coinciding with the nationwide release of Moon Boots IPA in spring 2021, 21st Amendment Brewery is funding three Certified Cicerone Level-Two Course & Exam Scholarships and one "Women In Leadership" Certificate Scholarship at eCornell University exclusively for Pink Boots Members to apply for.
Moon Boots IPA was designed and created by an all-woman team at 21st Amendment Brewery. The project was spearheaded by Sarah Swafford (National Sales Manager), who says, "21A has been incredibly supportive of Pink Boots Society for many years and has participated in several Pink Boots beers. Moon Boots IPA was initially a small batch beer that we called Pink Brüts! and was brewed at 21st Amendment's downtown San Francisco brewpub for International Women's Day (2019). We developed the recipe and concept using the Pink Boots hop blend. When it was released, it was so well received at the pub, taproom, and participating accounts we knew it would be a great candidate for one of our nationwide limited-edition releases." 
Swafford has a long time connection to Pink Boots Society. "When I moved to the Bay Area, I joined my local Pink Boots chapter to connect with other women in the industry. It was such a great opportunity to support and learn from other women who worked in all facets of the industry: brewers, bar owners, bartenders, beer buyers, lab, etc. I found that Pink Boots offered me a great community and friends while enhancing my beer education that's led to me elevating my career."
"The women team members at 21st Amendment are an essential and vibrant part of our company and culture," says Shaun O'Sullivan (Co-Founder & Brewmaster, 21st Amendment Brewery). "What's a better way to celebrate this excellent group than with a beer uniquely designed by them. Releasing Moon Boots IPA on a national level is an opportunity to shine a big bright light on the important work of the Pink Boots Society and highlight the immense talent of the women on our team. At 21st Amendment Brewery, we want to be an agent of change in supporting Pink Boots' members with four scholarships in 2021."
21st Amendment Brewery funds three Certified Cicerone Level-Two Course & Exam Scholarships and one "Women In Leadership" Certificate Scholarship with eCornell University exclusively for Pink Boots Members to apply for. Swafford herself was a recipient of a Pink Boots Society scholarship. 
The otherworldly packaging artwork for Moon Boots IPA was commissioned by renowned Los Angeles-based animation artist Robin Eisenberg (Instagram). Her portfolio revolves around celebrating sexuality and the diversity of women. The packaging for Moon Boots IPA features the creators envisioned as otherworldly beings. 
Robin Eisenberg comments, "I've always loved celebrating women in my work, and working with 21st Amendment on this was so much fun! I think it's amazing that Moon Boots IPA is not only recognizing women in brewing, but it's also helping to create more opportunities for future women in the industry. So happy I could be a part of the project!" 
Moon Boots IPA is clean, crisp, and brewed with pilsner malts, toasted rice, and strawberries. Hopped with Citra Cryo, Azacca, and Mosaic hops, Moon Boots IPAblasts beer lovers to another planetary dimension with its soft aromatics and refreshing strawberry notes making this a beer for stargazers. 
Moon Boots IPA will be available in 6-packs in all 32 states where 21st Amendment distributes in spring 2021. For more information and to find some using their beer finder, please visit www.21st-Amendment.com

###
Pink Boots SocietyThe Pink Boots Society was created to assist, inspire and encourage women in the alcoholic beverage industry to advance their careers through education. We support all women of the industry, from those that own breweries, those that package the beer, that design beers, serve beers, write about beer, and everything in between. Most importantly, we teach each other what we know through our own seminar programs, and we help each other advance our beer careers by raising money for educational scholarships.
About 21st Amendment BreweryTwenty years ago (established in 2000), Nico Freccia and Shaun O'Sullivan opened the doors to the 21st Amendment brewpub in San Francisco's historic South Park neighborhood. In addition to quickly becoming one of the city's favorite pubs, 21st Amendment began expanding beyond the Bay Area by helping to pioneer the movement to canned craft beer. Known for their witty names and delicious brews, 21st Amendment offers year-round selections, as well as seasonal offerings and their infamous once-in-a-while limited-edition releases. Sold in 32 states plus Washington D.C., 21st Amendment produces beer in its state-of-the-art brewery headquarters in San Leandro, California and is among the top 50 craft beer brewers in America.
About eCornellCornell University's online learning platform, provides online professional and executive development to students around the world. We offer 100+ award-winning professional certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines.

Manitoba launches safe, simple way to dispose of medical sharps

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 16, 2021 /CNW/ - Manitobans who use needles or sharps as part of their medical care can now safely dispose of these products using specially designed containers available free at their local pharmacy. Examples of sharps include lancets that prick the skin for diabetes testing, needles for home insulin or B12 injections and auto-injection devices, such as EpiPens.

The Health Products Stewardship Association (HPSA) officially launched the Manitoba Sharps Collection Program on January 15, shortly after its approval by the province's Ministry of Conservation and Climate. The program fulfills regulations that call for province-wide, convenient collection systems for waste material at no cost to users, as set out in the Waste Reduction and Prevention Act. Costs for the Sharps Collection Program are covered by medical sharps manufacturers.

Manitoba is the third province in Canada to regulate the safe disposal of used medical sharps, joining Ontario and P.E.I. HPSA operates all three sharps collection programs.

HPSA is not new to Manitoba: since 2011, residents have been able to safely dispose of unused or expired medications through the organization's Medications Return Program. HPSA medication return programs are also available in B.C., Ontario and P.E.I.

"The safe disposal of sharps and medications is critical to help fulfill governments' goals for environmental stewardship and public safety," says Terri Drover, Director-General of HPSA. "HPSA provides a consistent framework that can be rolled out across provinces as regulations are put in place, at no cost to consumers, government or participating pharmacies."

Pharmacies are the linchpin of the process, working with HPSA to distribute the medical sharps containers to customers and then taking back the full containers as well as unused or expired medications. In all provinces where HPSA programs are available, pharmacies' participation rates are high. Weeks before Manitoba's Sharps Collection Program officially launched, 85% of the pharmacies licensed in Manitoba had already registered and begun to distribute the sharps containers.

"Community pharmacies are some of the most easily accessed healthcare facilities throughout the province, making them an ideal place for the safe disposal of medications, needles and sharps," says Wendy Clark, President of the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba, which regulates pharmacy professionals on behalf of the public. "We know that pharmacists possess the skill, knowledge and judgement needed to help Manitobans with many of their daily health needs." 

The province's advocacy body for pharmacists, Pharmacists Manitoba, also gives its support. "Pharmacists Manitoba is pleased to support the Health Products Stewardship Association's Manitoba Sharps Collection Program. By allowing Manitobans to return their used sharps to their participating community pharmacies, the program helps ensure they are disposed of properly, without harm to the environment, and it prevents people from being injured," says Pawandeep Sidhu, President of Pharmacists Manitoba.

Residents can find participating pharmacies using HPSA's locator app at www.healthsteward.ca. For the Sharps Collection Program, Manitobans can use the HPSA sharps container or any other approved medical sharps container. Pharmacies can also register online at the website.

About Health Products Stewardship Association (HPSA)

HPSA is a not-for-profit, industry-led, producer responsibility organization established in 1999 to provide health products industries with a collective means for managing their extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations under regulated programs in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Prince Edward Island. HPSA and the programs it administers are funded entirely by participating health products industries. 

About the College of Pharmacists of Manitoba

The College of Pharmacists of Manitoba (College) was established in 1878 and is the pharmacy regulatory and licensing authority in Manitoba. The principal mandate of the College is to protect the health and well-being of the public by ensuring and promoting safe, patient-centered and progressive pharmacy practice in collaboration with other healthcare providers.

About Pharmacist Manitoba

Pharmacists Manitoba is a not for profit, voluntary organization representing pharmacists in the Province of Manitoba. Our mission is to enhance the recognition and compensation of pharmacists, to enable full use of their knowledge, skill and judgement and expand Manitobans' access to health care. 

www.healthsteward.ca

SOURCE Health Products Stewardship Association