For Immediate Release
Wednesday, October 25, 2006

CONTACT:
Tom Murphy 207-542-4998
tom@votehemp.com

New Hemp Milk Products Will Boost Growth of Hemp Food Market in 2007

WASHINGTON, DC — Vote Hemp (www.VoteHemp.com), the nation's largest grassroots organization working to allow American farmers to once again grow industrial hemp under state or federal regulation, is predicting major growth in the hemp food market in 2007. Two new non-dairy hemp "milk" beverages were exhibited at the Natural Products Expo East 2006 in Baltimore, Maryland earlier this month and have received rave reviews. Gourmet Retailer wrote, "We were particularly impressed with the newly developed crop of hemp milks, packing a powerhouse punch of omega-3 essential fatty acids and protein." Living Harvest Hempmilk™ and Manitoba Harvest Hemp Bliss™ are the latest entries in the continually-growing hemp food market. Both brands come in Original, Vanilla and Chocolate flavors and are expected to make their public debuts in January of 2007.

Never sold before commercially, hemp milk is high in protein like soy milk, but hemp does not contain the phytic acid and trypsin inhibitors that soy does. Hemp milk is a good source of balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, unlike rice milk, and it also contains a wide range of naturally-occurring vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin E, Folic Acid, Iron, Niacin, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Thiamin and Zinc.

"We expect the double-digit growth of the hemp food sector to continue in 2007, now that hemp milk will finally be available to waiting consumers," says Vote Hemp President Eric Steenstra. "I tried all of the flavors available at Expo East in Baltimore, and they were just amazing, as were their nutritional profiles. I can't wait to try some on my homemade hemp granola for breakfast," added Steenstra.

Hemp milk is a refreshing alternative to nut- and grain-based beverages as well as dairy beverages. Grain-based beverages are often lacking in Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), protein and minerals, unless they are fortified. Nut-based milks and dairy beverages are nutritionally better, but more and more people, especially children, are developing allergies to tree nuts and dairy products.

"We wanted to offer a great-tasting, healthy product that we can feel good about giving our own kids," says Christina Volgyesi, President of Living Harvest (www.LivingHarvest.com). "As more and more consumers begin searching the shelves for alternative dairy products that are enjoyable to drink and contain unprocessed ingredients, we thought this was the perfect time to introduce a real essential and balanced nutritional beverage that the whole family can enjoy."

"Hemp seed is nature's best and most-balanced source of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs, and that is fueling interest from nutrition experts, consumers, retailers and manufacturers," says Mike Fata, President and Co-Founder of Manitoba Harvest (www.ManitobaHarvest.com). In addition to its high concentration of EFAs, hemp milk has a strong digestible protein profile, is a good source of Iron and contains no trans-fats.

"Despite the fact that no U.S. farmer can grow industrial hemp due to federal restrictions, new and innovative hemp food products continue to be introduced to a waiting U.S. marketplace," says Alexis Baden-Mayer, Director of Government Affairs for Vote Hemp. "As the demand for hemp seed continues to rise with the introduction of these new and innovative hemp food products, so will the pressure on state and federal officials to allow hemp farming. We are already seeing this kind of increased demand for change in a number of states including North Dakota which is about to finalize new hemp farming rules."

Vote Hemp is a non-profit organization dedicated to the acceptance of and a free market for industrial hemp and to changes in current law to allow U.S. farmers to grow low-THC industrial hemp. More information about hemp legislation and the crop's many uses may be found at www.VoteHemp.com and www.HempIndustries.org. BETA SP or DVD Video News Releases featuring footage of hemp farming in other countries are available upon request by contacting Adam Eidinger at 202-744-2671.

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