Drinks

“I am thrilled to work with Johnnie Walker on this important effort,” Singh said in a statement. “We have to make space for more women in leadership roles.” The First Strides initiative will focus on developing a broad community of women empowered to lead the way forward by funding, mentoring and championing women entrepreneurs and leaders in both public and private sectors, the company says. To achieve these goals, the brand is building partnerships with leading organizations including IFundWomen, the go-to funding marketplace for women-owned businesses; and She Should Run, a nonpartisan organization focused on reaching and cultivating the potential of women who may have never considered elected leadership, but should, it notes. Sophie Kelly, senior vice president of Whiskies at Diageo North America, added: “Johnnie Walker is committed to celebrating and enabling bold first strides that open the door for seconds and thirds to follow.”

In celebration of Women's Equality Day (Aug. 26) ― which honors the anniversary of women’s right to vote — Johnnie Walker announced its partnership with entertainer and gender equity advocate Lilly Singh, to proudly launch the next phase of its First Strides initiative to help close the gender gap in leadership.

Farmers and the ingredients they supply can play a key role in supporting food manufacturers’ race to implement circular economy practices.

The Almond Board of California notes that by investing in innovative approaches to almond cultivation, the almond sector is identifying new and valuable uses for everything grown in the orchard — generating upstream solutions, doing more with less-resources, while giving back to nature and eliminating waste before food even leaves the farm.

“Using almond trees’ woody biomass, California almond farmers are pioneering a regenerative practice and remarkable form of agricultural recycling called whole orchard recycling, during which entire orchards are returned to nature by grinding up the trees and plowing them back into the soil,” it says. “Farms that use whole orchard recycling sequester 2.4 tons of carbon per acre, equivalent to living car-free for a year.”

Moreover, for almond farms, the majority of which are between 50-100 acres, “the potential benefits are promising, and can come with other associated improvements in crop yield, soil health and more,” it notes.

Hella Cocktail Co. celebrated its 10 year anniversary by inviting consumers to attend its interactive pop-up from Sept. 10 to Oct. 1 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Titled “Cheers to 10 Bitter Years: A Flavor Exploration,” the initiative, which took place at 232 Varet St. in Brooklyn, was hands-on, aiming to elevate brand experience and designed to inspire confidence through knowledge by leading consumers on an immersive journey involving all five senses. The space could be explored alone or with an audio guide. The set-up allowed attendees to participate with an “extraction wall,” showcasing the process of making bitters, connecting in a new way with spices, fruits and bitter roots through smell and touch. Consumers then put their newfound knowledge to the test by using the final sense to taste Hella’s product range, from their flagship bitters to their innovative Bitters & Soda. Once they had made their way through the five senses, consumers could imbibe at the Non-Alcoholic Speakeasy. “After 10 years of carving out space for all in cocktail culture, we couldn't be more thrilled to open the doors to the most tangible culmination of those efforts,” said Alicia Hollinger, director of culture and events at Hella Cocktail Co., in a statement. “When Hella’s founders started mixing up bitters in mason jars in their tiny Brooklyn apartment, flavor was their north star and ultimately guided them to their mission of creating an elevated experience that everyone could enjoy.”