What does Fair Trade mean?
Many people have heard of Fair Trade, but they might not know exactly what it is. In short, Fair Trade helps empower farmers and workers through premiums and standards that seek to improve their lives and communities as well as protect the environment. Fair Trade helps ensure that farmers and workers are paid fair prices and wages, work in safe conditions, and earn community development funds to improve their lives. Communities determine how Fair Trade premiums should be used depending on what their communities need. Some communities have used premiums for building schools, providing healthcare, improving housing, funding essential community infrastructure such as wells for clean drinking water, and more.
Over the years we have given back almost $30 million dollars in Fair Trade premiums - and our work has only just begun. We will continue to bring more high quality baking and sweetening options to your families' table, positively impacting more communities around the world. If these efforts have taught us anything, it’s that supporting communities is key to bringing people together.
Who is responsible for ensuring our Fair Trade auditing measures?
To make sure that the farmers and workers who produce Fair Trade Certified™ goods are paid fairly, Fair Trade International and Fair Trade USA regularly audit transactions between U.S. companies offering Fair Trade Certified products and the international suppliers from whom they source.
Where do our Fair Trade products come from?
Currently, we source our Fair Trade sugars, agaves, and honeys from a few countries, including Paraguay, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Malawi.
Is all Wholesome packaging recyclable, including bottles, bags, caps, etc.?
We encourage recycling whenever possible, which is why our pouches are made of #4 recyclable material, which can be recycled via store drop off. Wholesome utilizes laminated films for retail packaging due to puncture resistance, moisture barrier capabilities, and odor/aroma resistance. As sugar can absorb aromas from its surroundings, a proper seal is critical to maintaining freshness and high quality.
Wholesome bottles and caps are also recyclable and are usually recycled through curbside programs.
Does Wholesome use BPA-free plastics for its packaging?
Any plastic we use is BPA-free.
WHAT IS YOUR RETURN AND REFUND POLICY?
At Wholesome Sweeteners, we take pride in our products and quality standards. If you are not completely satisfied with a Wholesome Sweeteners product purchased from our website (wholesomesweet.com) we’re happy to offer a replacement, an alternative product to try, or a refund (if purchased through WholesomeSweet.com) within 30 days of purchase.
We do not accept returns but to request a replacement, please contact us at na.consumersupport@wholeearthbrands.com with your name, order number, mailing address, and reason for the request. If the issue is due to a manufacturing defect, we kindly ask that you provide photos of the damaged or defective product.
We appreciate your support and look forward to making things right!
DO YOU OFFER FREE SHIPPING?
We offer free shipping on all orders over $49+ in the continental US. Shipping for orders under $49 is a flat rate of $10.
Where does Wholesome source its Organic Sugarcane?
Wholesome is proud to work in close partnership with farmers in South and Central America who are dedicated to bringing you high-quality products in an ethical manner, all while working to minimize their environmental impact.
Why does the Nutrition Facts Panel on your sugar and sweetener packaging now contain a line for “Added Sugars”?
On May 20, 2016, the FDA announced the new Nutrition Facts labeling rules for packaged foods, which now must include a line for “Added Sugars”. Not to worry... no “extra” sugars have been added to any of our products.
I found black specks in my sugar pouch. What are they?
From time to time, you might find a hard, dark colored granule mixed in with your organic sugar. Don’t worry! It’s either a burnt piece of sugar or some organic plant fibers that are inherent to the sugar.
The artisanal nature of our sugar involves heating sugarcane juice to crystallization (or heating coconut nectar, in the case of coconut palm sugar). Occasionally, harmless plant fibers might accidentally be cooked down in the process as well.
I found black specks in my sugar pouch. What are they?
From time to time, you might find a hard, dark colored granule mixed in with your organic sugar. Don’t worry! It’s either a burnt piece of sugar or some organic plant fibers that are inherent to the sugar.
The artisanal nature of our sugar involves heating sugarcane juice until it crystallizes (or heating coconut nectar, in the case of coconut palm sugar). Occasionally, harmless plant fibers might accidentally be cooked down in the process as well. .
Why Is Wholesome Organic Powdered Sugar white?
All sugar has some elements of refinement to turn it from the plant to the final product. Wholesome’s sugarcane products are minimally processed. The sugarcane is simply crushed to extract the juice, which is subsequently heated to evaporate the moisture and concentrate the sugar. This minimal processing is what’s behind all the unique colors and flavors of our sugarcane products.
Is any corn starch used to make Wholesome Organic Fair Trade Powdered Confectioners Sugar?
No. Wholesome Confectioners Sugar is made with organic tapioca starch to limit caking.
My brown sugar has hardened. How can I soften it?
Pour the sugar into a medium bowl and cover with a damp paper towel or dish cloth. Leave it overnight and the sugar should absorb the moisture.
Are Wholesome Organic Sugars processed through bone char?
All our sugar products are vegan, and we don’t process any of them through bone or animal by-products.
Does agave have to be refrigerated after opening?
No. Leaving agave syrup unrefrigerated won’t harm the product, but you may find that it’s a little harder to pour once it’s cooled.
Why does my agave have bubbles on the top? Is that normal?
Yes. Sometimes the bottles get jostled in the shipping process, thus producing the bubbles.
What’s the difference between Wholesome Organic Blue Agave Nectar and Wholesome Organic Raw Blue Agave Nectar?
Wholesome Organic Raw Blue Agave Nectar is produced in a way that makes it suitable for people who have adopted a raw diet. It’s less filtered than Wholesome Organic Blue Agave Nectar, and it’s exposed to a lower temperature for a longer period of time.
What’s the story with your Fair Trade honey?
At Wholesome, we ethically source our organic, pure honey from Fair Trade Certified beekeeping cooperatives in order to support beekeepers and their families and communities.
Why do the colors seem to fluctuate in Wholesome Organic Raw Honey?
Organic honey is sourced deep in the biomes of Brazil. The bees forage on a wide variety of flora during the honey-producing season. As the year progresses, honey tends to darken due to the different flowers in bloom. You’ll usually see a lighter amber honey at the beginning of the season, and a darker honey towards the end of the season. The honey is absolutely delicious regardless of its color.
Is pollen removed from Wholesome Organic Honey during processing?
Wholesome Organic Raw Honey is minimally strained to keep most of the natural pollen properties within it. To ensure all the enzymes are left within this delicious and natural honey, it is heated at a lower temperature than our filtered honey.
What should I do if my honey crystallizes?
Place the bottle in warm water bath to liquefy, or simply dissolve the honey in a warm beverage. It’s still okay to consume as all honey crystallizes.
Is Wholesome Organic Raw Unfiltered Honey Fair Trade Certified?
Yes, we source our organic honey from Fair Trade Certified beekeeper cooperatives, and we pay a Fair Trade premium to the cooperatives which they use to support the needs of their communities.
What are the benefits of Wholesome Organic Raw Unfiltered Honey when compared to conventional honey?
Wholesome Raw Unfiltered Honey is USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Fair Trade Certified, kosher, and gluten-free. Bees that create the honey forage in organic zones (vs. conventional honey) and our honey is heated at a low temperature and unfiltered to retain its naturally occurring pollen.
How can I use Wholesome Organic Raw Unfiltered Honey in my baking?
You can replace 1 cup of refined sugar with ¾ cup of Wholesome Organic Raw Unfiltered Honey. Honey has a slightly higher sweetness profile than sugar, so it takes less honey to achieve the same tasty result. If you’re using honey in your baking, be sure to cut back the amount of liquids you use in the recipe: For 1 cup of honey, remove ¼ cup of other liquids.
What’s the different between the jar of Wholesome’s Organic Raw Unfiltered Honey and the non-drip squeeze bottle?
The jar is a spreadable honey which undergoes further crystallization to create this texture. The bottle has a more liquid texture. We love the jar honey on toasts and biscuits, and our bottle honey is perfect in hot teas, on oatmeal and more.
Why is Fair Trade honey important?
At Wholesome, we source our organic honey from Fair Trade Certified beekeeping cooperatives in order to aid beekeepers and provide financial benefits for their families and communities. Wholesome pays a fair price directly to the beekeeper cooperatives for their Fair Trade Certified Honey as well as premiums to support their communities.
Can Wholesome Organic Molasses be substituted for brown sugar in a recipe?
If Wholesome Organic Sugar is added in conjunction with the organic molasses, the substitution should work. We recommend mixing 1/4 cup molasses into every cup of organic sugar. As a straight one-to-one replacement for brown sugar, it will depend heavily on the recipe as our molasses does not have the same sweetness as brown sugar.
What is the shelf life of Wholesome Organic Pancake Syrup Lite?
Before you open the syrup, Wholesome Pancake Syrup has a shelf life of 2 years from its production date.
Does Wholesome Pancake Syrup need to be refrigerated after opening?
No it does not need to be refrigerated.
Can Wholesome Organic Pancake Syrup be warmed before serving?
Yes, but be sure to pour it into a microwave-safe container prior to heating.
Is Wholesome Organic Pancake Syrup a suitable substitute for maple syrup?
It has a hint of maple flavor that can make it a great substitute but it’s important to evaluate recipe to recipe to determine if it will be the right fit.
How is Allulose produced?
Allulose is produced through a natural enzymatic process, and neither the corn nor the enzymes contain any GMOs.
What’s the best way to store Wholesome Organic Stevia with Erythritol?
Store Wholesome Organic Stevia with Erythritol in a cool, dry and dark environment, preferably in a tightly-sealed container.
How do you use Wholesome Organic Stevia with Erythritol? Can I bake with it? Can I cook with it? What is the measurement in baking when substituting sugar with stevia?
All good questions. Wholesome Organic Stevia with Erythritol is both pH and temperature stable. When baking, keep in mind that every 1/4 teaspoon of Wholesome Organic Stevia is equal to two teaspoons of sugar.
Reduce your baking time when adding Wholesome Organic Stevia with Erythritol to your recipe. The stevia may speed up the caramelization during baking, giving your baked goods a crunchy brown crust in a shorter amount of time. Don’t adjust the baking temperature. Organic Stevia with Erythritol is suitable for baking yeast breads or other leavened baked goods. However, it may change the texture of some baked goods, so give your recipes a few test runs and make modifications as needed.
What is included and excluded in your calculation of Net Carbs?
We subtract dietary fiber, erythritol and allulose from total carbohydrates in calculating net carbs because those ingredients contribute insignificantly to caloric content and studies have shown that they do not significantly impact blood sugar and ketone levels. Net carbs are primarily sugars and starches that the body processes and uses for energy.
