I took it easy with today being the first day of the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and visited the show with no appointments. I wandered through with my 8 mos old boy and got my bearings for all the appointments that are to follow tomorrow through Sunday. My focus again this year is still going to be on those companies that have made an effort to be green from the start.  Not those that are just jumping on the bandwagon to catch a fad.  However, I have a lot more time this year, so you will probably get a few of the big guys that I think are making some ripples that go beyond just one product line.

Anyway, On my wander I dropped by the booth of Swell Foop to meet with the company Founder and President, Otto Pohl. We had communicated via email and never set an appointment, so I just dropped by.  They had some great stuff!

Swell Foop is one of those companies that started out with a noble idea and have only made it better as they have grown.

We’re still a small company in a small town. But we have big dreams of Saving the World in One Swell Foop!

They make and sell shirts for men, women babies and toddlers that are made of 100% organic cotton which is manufactured, printed and finished in the USA. Being domestically sourced it reduces the carbon footprint for everything and no products they sell have any portion sourced overseas. In addition, they donate 10% of all proceeds to Earth Island Institute and American Wildlands.  One thing Otto said about these donations really struck a chord.  He said that at the end of every year he would make donations to those organizations that were important to him and he got to the point where he wanted to be able to support these organizations throughout the year.  Starting this company was his way of making a bigger difference.

Each of their shirts features a graphic of an endangered animal and a message to match.  Everything from a frog and “be green” to an African Penquin and “keep it cool.”  I can attest to the quality of the product being high, with the cotton being soft and thick. Prices are reasonable with adult shirts at $25.00 and onesies and toddler tees at $22.00.  Pretty standard for organic wear in this category.

My boy especially love the “be green” onesie that Otto gave him (Thanks Otto!) and immediately used the recyclable cardboard tag as a teether.  I would take a picture of him in it, but my wife doesn’t like me posting him for the world to see, so the picture to your right will have to do.  That isn’t my boy.

Anyway, pop over to their site and check them out.