Imagine that famous Beatles film clip of kids screaming for … organics. Natural and organic got a big push from the music world in October in the form of Clif Bar's GreenNotes program. In partnership with MusicMatters and Musictoday, English band Gomez launched the program during its U.S. tour by cleaning up its touring act. The band switched to biodiesel buses, purchased carbon dioxide offsets and sold organic cotton T-shirts, as well as other eco-friendly moves. Clif also handed out information to fans on how to green their own lives.

Plans are on the table to extend the program. "[We've] talked about getting a presence in stores potentially to talk about the partnerships with bands," said Grady O'Shaughnessy, a spokesman for Clif. "Ideally, we could create something exciting and interactive in-store that talks about what we're doing, and brings it out of venue and into the places where it will attract some attention [and bring fans] into the store." According to MusicMatters President Michael Martin, "At the end of the day, we're going to be able to change the entire way the music industry tours, as well as [how] tens of millions of fans live." The program's Web site is at www.clifgreennotes.com.

Natural Foods Merchandiser volume XXVII/number 12/p. 8