Organic Treats, No Tricks

This Halloween, offer organic treats to the gremlins and goblins, princesses and super heroes who come knocking at your door. These certified organic products won't turn the world into a ghoulie graveyard or your pocketbook into a ghost town. Most are available now at the natural foods supermarket or are easily ordered (or sourced) on line. And not to worry, mom -- all are securely wrapped.

1) Chocolate. Several bite-sized options exist with kid appeal:

• Bug Bites: small organic squares from Endangered Species Chocolates, www.chocolatebar.com, in milk or dark chocolate. Each square contains one of 48 different endangered species trading cards, and 10% of profits go to animal and conservation causes. Buy directly from Endangered Species website or find a store through their online retail directory.
• Rapunzel Lady Bug Truffles: Rapunzel, www.rapunzel.com, offers small ladybugs, complete with legs, that contain hazelnut truffles. (Caution: some kids are allergic to nuts, so check before handing them out).

2) Cookies. Barbara’s Bakery, www.shopnatural.com offers carry bags of organic animal cookies, in chocolate chip, oatmeal wheat-free, vanilla, and vanilla fruit juice sweetened.Website offers online purchasing.

3) Popcorn. Hand out individual microwave popcorn packs from Newman's Own Organics Pop's Corn, www.newmansownorganics.com

4) Hard Candies. The Candy Company, www.veganessentials.com, sells bags of organic Sour Fruits Hard Candies in cherry, lemon, pineapple, and orange. Website offers online purchasing.

5) Lollipops. Candy Tree, www.veganessentials.com, sells bags of 7 lollipops in organic orange flavor.  Website offers online purchasing.

6) Mints. Truly Organic, www.mothernature.com, sells packages of 12 individual boxes of organic mints (Peppermints, Spearmints, and Wintermints.)  Website offers online purchasing.

7) Snack Bars. Any number of individually-wrapped organic options exist:

• Earth's Best, www.earthsbest.com, makes organic Whole Grain Bars for babies, just the right size for a Halloween tidbit, in Apple Blueberry, Peach Banana, Pear Raspberry, and Carrot Raisin. Online story and retail directory at their website.
• New England Natural Bakers , www.nenb.com, offers organic Save the Forest Cereal and Trail Mix Bars, in a variety of flavors. 10% of all profits go to environmental and social causes.
• Oskri Organics, www.oskri.com, offers organic Sesame Bars, in various flavors (flavors include dates, fennel, molasses, and cumin). Website offers an online store.

8) Fruit Leather. Organic chewy fruit is available from Stretch Island, www.stretch-island.com, in Apple, Grape, Raspberry and Strawberry. Website offers online store.

9) Beverage Boxes. Knudsen,
www.knudsenjuices.com, and Santa Cruz Organic,
www.scojuice.com, both offer small juice boxes for kids; EdenSoy, www.edensoy.com, offers small boxes of soy drinks (original, carob, and vanilla flavors). Edensoy offers an online store. Whole Foods Markets, in their Whole Kids line, also offers small boxes of organic juices and soy drinks.

10) Gummi Bears. Let’s do…Organic Candy’s Gummi Bears, www.shopnatural.com, in Classic, Jelly, and Super Sour Mixed Fruit flavors.  Offered in four individual packets per box.  Website offers online store.

Also keep these options in mind:

• Organic Raisins. Pavich Raisins are available in individual small boxes, but are not sealed.
• Honey Sticks. Very little organic honey is currently available, but Stash Tea (www.stashtea.com, makers of organic tea) makes delicious, naturally-flavored honey sticks. Website offers an online store.
• Kettle Brand Potato Chips and Potato Crisps. Kettle Brand uses no GMO ingredients in their Lightly Salted flavors, and non-GMO potatoes in their other products. Small 1 and 2-oz. bags are available at delis, health food stores, and from online vendors listed at the Kettle Foods website, www.kettlefoods.com.
• Fruit: The Real Thing, if only for around the house. There is nothing better than this season's local organic apple even if your face is painted green and your hair stands two feet above your head. Dried fruits are also always a winner.

The Green Guide wishes you a safe and happy Halloween. Also see "Halloween Horrors: Tales from The Cosmetologist" for some healthier makeup and costume choices.