Fri, March 12 2010 - CLIF BAR Family Foundation Commits $500,000 to Launch Organic Seed Initiative: Support Protects Organic Seeds and Promotes Organic Farming

ANAHEIM, Calif., March 12, 2010—CLIF BAR Family Foundation today announced plans for the Organic Seed Initiative with the goal to conserve crop genetic diversity and promote organic seed research – ultimately ensuring a more resilient and successful future for organic farming.

To inaugurate the Organic Seed Initiative, the CLIF BAR Family Foundation is committing $500,000 in “seed” money over the next five years. This financial contribution represents the largest single donation in the history of the Foundation.

“The planet’s health and people’s health depend on developing organic, sustainable farming systems,” said Elysa Hammond, sustainability advisor of the CLIF BAR Family Foundation and director of environmental stewardship for Clif Bar & Company. “One of the key barriers to the growth of organic farming is a lack of attention, research and resources focused on organic seed bred to thrive in organic conditions.”

The multi-year grant will support the Organic Farming Research Foundation, Organic Seed Alliance and Center for Food Safety—expert non-profit partners that share a passion for creating sustainability in organic farming.

About CLIF BAR Family Foundation
Kit Crawford and Gary Erickson, Co-owners of Clif Bar & Company began the Foundation to support nonprofits working to promote environmental restoration and conservation, sustainable food and agriculture, people’s health and a wide range of social concerns. http://www.cliffamilyfoundation.com.