Manitoba Harvest Announces New Organic Hemp Protein Powders - Dark Chocolate & Vanilla Powders Are Delicious 'superfood' Additions To Smoothies

Winnipeg, Manitoba - More people than ever are supplementing their diets with protein powders to maintain optimal nutrition. According to data published in the June 2008 edition of The Natural Foods Merchandiser (www.naturalfoodsmerchandiser.com), sales of Powdered Meal Replacements and Supplements during 2007 grew 15.9% in Naturals Supermarkets and 27.5% in the conventional grocery channel. To meet the growing needs of health-minded consumers, Manitoba Harvest� Hemp Foods & Oils has launched two new 'superfood' protein powders that are convenient, fresh-tasting, and easy to digest.

Manitoba Harvest Organic Dark Chocolate Hemp Protein Powder and Organic Vanilla Hemp Protein Powder provide a boost of Protein, Omega 3 & 6 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and fiber to smoothies and other beverages, and they can be used in a variety of recipes (see below and at www.manitobaharvest.com/recipes). The new powders are offered in 16 oz. jars for a SRP of $19.99. These 2 products are currently exclusive to Whole Foods Market� in the USA and are Whole Trade� Guarantee certified, guaranteeing that the ingredients are fairly traded. "We're delighted to have partnered with Manitoba Harvest to launch these great tasting, nutrient rich, Whole Trade guaranteed products," says Jeremiah McElwee, Senior Whole Body Coordinator for Whole Foods Market. "Hemp protein is a great alternative to soy protein, and vegetable derived proteins are the hottest area of growth in the category right now," adds McElwee.

The ingredient lists are very straightforward for these new products from the leading hemp protein powder brand in North America: the Dark Chocolate variety contains: organic hemp protein powder; organic fair trade evaporated cane juice; and organic fair trade cocoa powder. It provides 10g of protein and 8g of fiber per serving. The Vanilla variety contains: organic hemp protein powder; organic fair trade evaporated cane juice; and organic vanilla flavor. This variety has 11g of protein and 8g of fiber per serving. These delicious certified organic products are gluten-free and there are no additives or preservatives.

Hemp is Hot. Hemp seed exports from Canada grew 300% from 2006-2007, according to the government agency Agri-Food Canada. Sales of hemp foods are so robust that Manitoba Harvest is in the process of expanding into a state-of-the-art organic food manufacturing facility that will allow the company to increase their production by more than 500%. Recent health segments that featured hemp on leading mainstream TV programs such as the Oprah Winfrey Show, The View and the NBC Today Show are helping to spread public awareness of hemp's many health benefits.



Organic Hemp Puts the POW in the POWDER


Manitoba Harvest's new Dark Chocolate and Vanilla Hemp Protein Powders contain all 10 of the essential amino acids at levels that contribute significantly to the human body's requirements. Not only is hemp one of the most concentrated sources of protein in the plant kingdom, it is very easy for the body to digest and assimilate, and hemp also features an abundance of other key nutrients including soluble fiber, chlorophyll, vitamins, omega-3 and -6 Essential Fatty Acids and GLA and SDA Super Fatty Acids. Hemp protein powder contains an amazing 66% of "edestin" proteins which are similar to protein found in the human body and are pre-cursors to such vital body components as hormones, hemoglobin, enzymes and antibodies. Hemp's edestin structure is the highest in the plant kingdom.

The Organic Dark Chocolate and Organic Vanilla Hemp Protein Powders from Manitoba Harvest contain 32% of the FDA's daily recommended fiber. Many of the other protein powders on the market today, for example those that feature s