Ideal Bite

CARE PACKAGES

Handle with Care: College Week

08.17.2009

Submitted by tmeronek on Sun, 08/16/2009 - 11:00pm.

The Bite:

Wanna make sure your new collegiate doesn't go postal with homesickness? Box up a few planet-conscious comforts. Since it's all stuff they'll actually use, there's no chance they'll wanna return to sender.

The Benefits:

First-class stuff. From loungewear to MP3 gift cards, these are all things that'll up a dorm-inhabitants coziness and fun levels.
Express-ly green aspects. Whether it's saving energy or paper; utilizing eco-friendly materials; or cutting indoor air pollution, these'll make a student's life easier while going easy on the earth.

Personally Speaking:

During college, Jen's mom used to regularly send her $40 in laundry quarters through the mail.

Wanna Try:

Simple Underlay Slippers - shabby-chic slippers made with natural rubber and water-based glue; two color combos - the soles are sturdy enough to wear anywhere around the residence hall. Guy's version here ($60).
West Elm Knit Throw Blanket - organic, knit cotton blanket to keep 'em warm during prefinals all-nighters; in four earthy colors ($49).
American Apparel California Fleece Track Pant - organic cotton pants for lounging with a little style; best for girls ($36); for guys: organic cotton Polo by Ralph Lauren PJ Pant ($35).
Whole Foods Gift Cards - as long as there's a WF nearby (check its store locator to see), your student can fill up on healthy, organic options when they get tired of the cafeteria food ($20 and up).
Fandango Bucks and iTunes Gift Cards - give an experience gift like movie tix or credit on iTunes; it won't cause any waste and gives 'em one more excuse not to study too hard…as if they needed another reason ($10 and up).
Eggling Crack & Grow Flowers - easy-to-grow plants in egg-shaped pots help suck up indoor pollution - and hardworking brains need fresh air ($9).
Honest Tea - send organic, biodegradable-bagged tea for a break from Red Bull; we love the Moroccan Mint ($5).
Dorm Sweet Dorm - preassembled, themed - think cleaning or personal care - packages ($35-$85).
Throw a batch of homemade organic cookies into the box, and check back later this week for other quick-'n'-easy organic foods you can send.
They can always use more soap and shampoo.

Ideal Bite's Top 10 Things to Pack for College - eco-options for college staples.

Cocktail Fact

The original CARE (Cooperative for American Remittances to Europe) packages were army surplus parcels sent abroad just after World War II, and contained food including bacon, beef broth, lard, and liver loaf.

Bang For The Bite

If 10,000 college-bound Biters download an album instead of buying the CD, we'll avert the weight of a small car in plastic production.

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Ann Marie on August 17, 2009 at 05:50 AM 1

Based on Whole Foods Market Inc.'s CEO John Mackey's views on health care reform, which were made public this week in an op-ed piece he wrote for The Wall Street Journal. We are calling for a boycott of Whole Foods! The op-ed piece, which begins with a Margaret Thatcher quote, "The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money," has left Whole Foods loyalists enraged. Link to Facebook Boycott page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119099537379 Link to ABC News coverage: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=8322658&page=1

AMY ZARNDT on August 17, 2009 at 08:22 AM 2

Thanks for this one, definitely something I can use for some nieces and nephews. Definitely liked the link to Dorm Sweet Dorm! However, I'd like to point out that there are many places you can get good food gift cards aside from Whole Foods (especially considering the recent controversy over their CEO's words on health care!) For instance, we have an amazing Food Co-Op here in Bozeman, MT and when one of my nieces came here for grad school, my sis-in-law got her a gift card there to help her out. You might have made it a more general suggestion, while including Whole Foods as one of many possibilities. Thanks for all your wonderful, daily suggestions. --Amy Zarndt

amy v. on August 17, 2009 at 10:56 AM 3

I'm with you on that, Ann Marie and was just going to post (basically) the same thing!

Ann Marie on August 19, 2009 at 04:52 AM 4

I am very pleased both posters were aware of the situation over Whole Foods CEOs comments on Health Care Reform. I hope Ideal Bite hears the message too!

elaine on September 04, 2009 at 11:11 AM 5

this is a terrible company. find a co-op, or search out organic food in the local supermarket instead.

zz on November 12, 2009 at 09:28 AM 6

I'm with you on that, Ann Marie and was just going to post (basically) the same thing! adventure games games

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