Cranberry's cancer-fighting potential
A new study has found that downing a glass of cranberry juice before chemotherapy treatment for ovarian cancer could up the power of the drugs sixfold. While the researchers stressed that the findings are still preliminary, they said the tart juice could offer a new option for patients whose cancer has become resistant to treatment. "This was surprising and encouraging," said the study's lead author Ajay Singh, a research associate and natural products chemist at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., in a statement. "We don't consider them to be a drug, but cranberries are already very well known to have antioxidants that boost the immune system and body strength. … And now, we found that they actually increase sensitivity to chemo several-fold."

Another store says 'so long' to plastic
Seattle-based PCC Natural Markets announced it will stop using plastic shopping bags at its stores beginning Oct. 1. While they will continue to provide paper bags at no charge, officials are hoping the move will encourage shoppers to get in the habit of using reusable totes. "While this decision to eliminate plastic shopping bags will entail some additional cost, it's simply the right thing to do," said Tracy Wolpert, the company's CEO. "We have studied the environmental impact of paper versus plastic and believe that paper is the more sustainable choice, while bag reuse is the best choice of all."

Scholarship to support students' vegetarianism
The Vegetarian Resource Group, based in Baltimore, recently announced that $10,000 in scholarship money will be awarded to graduating high school students who have promoted vegetarian and vegan diets in a positive way at their schools. Students must be American high school seniors at the time of application and plan to attend an American college. For more information or an application, visit www.vrg.org.

—M.R.

All-organic hotel opens
A new hotel in Wales is taking the organic concept past the kitchen and into guests' bedrooms. The British TYF Eco Hotel opened in August, claiming to be the first organic hotel in Wales, with beds featuring organic mattresses and wood furniture sourced from forests managed by the Forest Stewardship Council. The dining room boasts a 15-mile menu, meaning ingredients have traveled no farther than that to a guest's plate. Based in a converted 19th century windmill, the hotel runs on renewable energy and uses eco-friendly cleaning products.

—P.R.

Natural Foods Merchandiser volume XXVIII/number 10/p. 11