11th April, 2007: Cindi of Bigelow Tea Responds
To say this has been a difficult time is an understatement. The media has been relentless, the 1000’s of emails coming from opposing positions has been overwhelming-furious at us because we advertise and furious at us because we are considering not-I have not seen anything like this…anyway I want to make sure I try to do the best I can to explain our position. The media has now been saying we have “pulled” our advertising campaign. I need to emphasize that this is an incorrect statement. As I stated before, we are seriously reviewing it. But how can I not recognize or acknowledge what I am seeing come out of this whole thing? I believe Don Imus is showing great humility, I believe that we are seeing an amazing grace from the Rutgers team in their willingness to meet him. Why can’t this be something that takes us all to a higher place? And yes, based on what I am seeing, we have not made a decision.Â
I hope and pray this world still does allow for redemption. I realize that I (probably like Pollyanna) think Don is truly sorry for his words, that he made a terrible, terrible, terrible statement that he will actually learn from. I hope and pray the world can be a better place if we look at what we truly do wrong and reflect on how that can be “our teacher”. Yes, we will review our plan for next year. But I have to say, my heart now not only hurts for the Rutgers team, it hurts for the divisiveness that has been created in this country.Â
The harsh emails I am receiving does not make me think that any one side is wrong, it just makes me think we have lost touch with the word “love”- that is my inner light that is my compass during difficult times.
I know there will be people who disagree with my thoughts, but I am trying the best I can to share with you what is running through my soul.
I appreciate all of your opinions, and I appreciate you allowing me to share mine with you.
Cindi
Cindi Bigelow
Co-President
Posted by Cindi at 6:06 pm | Comments (54)
10th April, 2007: Bigelow Tea Responds to Imus
While Bigelow Tea has been an advertiser on the ‘Imus in the Morning Show,’ our company does not condone or support in any way the unacceptable comments made by Imus with regard to the Rutgers University women’s basketball team.
Bigelow Tea is a family company that prides itself on honoring and respecting all individuals.Â
We do support the good work and efforts Don Imus has done over the years for children with cancer or terminal illnesses, the battle against SIDS, Tomorrows Children’s Fund at Hackensack Hospital and so much more.
We are deeply saddened by Imus’ remarks. His comments in no way represent the views of our family or the Bigelow Tea Company.
This unfortunate incident has put our future sponsorship in jeopardy.
Cindi Bigelow, Co-President Bigelow Tea
Posted by Valorie at 1:29 pm | Comments (139)
26th March, 2007: Bigelow Tea receives grant to install Solar Panels in Fairfield headquarters
The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) announced (and it was announced on Building CT Green) that the Clean Energy Investment Committee has approved a grant of $777,000 to Bigelow Tea Company to defray approximately 55% of the cost of installing a 171-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the company’s Fairfield, Connecticut headquarters facility. The solar PV system will be mounted on the rooftops of four different building levels and will supply approximately 195,600 kilowatt hours annually, or 6.7% of the total electrical needs of the headquarters complex.
“We are pleased to be supporting R.C. Bigelow’s latest effort to protect our environment,” said Lise Dondy, president of CCEF. “The company has already demonstrated that it is a diligent environmental steward through its involvement with Fairfield’s Clean Energy Task Force and the energy efficiency and conservation measures it has taken over the past several years at its Fairfield facility.” Dondy added, “Furthermore, Bigelow’s solar panels, once installed, will help alleviate the electric load in the heavily congested region of southwest Connecticut.”
Cindi Bigelow, co-president of R.C. Bigelow, commented, “We are extremely delighted to be part of this renewable energy program. Doing our part to make the planet a better place is very important to all of us at Bigelow. This solar project is just one more example of how we are trying to be more environmentally friendly. We could not be more pleased to have partnered with the town of Fairfield and their ‘Green Talks’ to help spread the word of what each person can do to make environmentally-responsible choices. We are continually examining different ways that Bigelow can preserve, protect and promote a sustainable future in every part of our business operation.”
Â
Posted by Liesl at 9:40 am | Comments (3)
23rd March, 2007: Green Tea and Living to Be 100
Japan’s Health Ministry recently released the information that more than 28,000 of its population are centenarians – people who have been alive 100 years or more. That’s over twice as many people in that age group as in the United States. The Japanese in this group have many things in common, particularly a healthful diet high in protein. Another stunning fact is 80% of them drink green tea every day.
Posted by Elizabeth at 5:40 am | Comment (0)
12th March, 2007: A New Beverage in the Yankees’ Clubhouse
The Star Ledger/NJ.com reports that Joe Torre drinks pints of Bigelow Green Tea every day…each morning, a clubhouse assistant brings him a steaming cup of Green Tea which he carries as he wanders the field inspecting players.
The Hartford Courant and The Orlando Sentinel report the same.
Posted by Valorie at 6:02 am | Comments (3)
28th February, 2007: NJ.com knows about Green Tea and Joe Torre!
Lisa Kennelly of NJ.com, The Star-Ledger reports on the drink everyone is having in the clubhouse:
“Forget Gatorade and protein shakes. In the Yankees’ clubhouse, tea — particularly antioxidant-rich green tea — has become the beverage of choice for more than a few players and coaches.”
Posted by Valorie at 2:06 pm | Comments (4)
12th February, 2007: Bigelow and the Green
I attended the “Build a Greener Connecticut” forum in Hartford where business leaders were able to learn and discuss issues that are making a positive impact on the environment. Many states are now taking a lead role in promoting and educating people and businesses on how they can make a difference and be more environmentally friendly.
In Louisville one of our Employee Involvement Teams identified an area they wanted to work on; “Reduce the Amount of Paper and Recycle more of our Waste”. The team identified many areas where they were able to eliminate or reduce waste. They were recognized by the state of Kentucky for their efforts with the “Green Star Award”. The impact this team had was not just at work but also on how we conduct ourselves away from work; little by little we can make a positive impact on our environment.
Take a look in your town/state and see if there are things you can do to help make your area a greener environment. It does not take much to make an impact; reduce, reuse, recycle.
Posted by Dean at 6:00 am | Comment (1)
7th February, 2007: Packaging Bigelow Tea
Did you know that Bigelow currently packages over 60 different flavors of tea? Those flavors are available in the 20 count English box while many are available in Spanish or French boxes as well. We also package a 28 count box for restaurants and other food service customers. Our scheduling department has a heck of a time managing the production to make sure that all the products are available in our warehouse so when an order comes in from our customer we have product to ship. With that said our short shipments for the last six months has been at 99.5% or higher. After we fill and ship the customer’s order it still has to travel to their warehouse and then onto the local store, hopefully before the store’s shelf is out of product. That is a lot of traveling for a box of tea.
Posted by Dean at 6:00 am | Comments (4)
5th February, 2007: Spring Training
It won’t be long for pitchers and catchers to report for spring training! Baseball is just around the corner! Joe Torre is making his plans for Yankee spring training in Tampa and wanted to make sure he has plenty of Bigelow Green Tea. I got the request to send Green Tea for Joe and all of his fellow Yankee Green Tea drinkers. It looks like many of the Yankees are following Joe’s lead and drinking Bigelow Green Tea both hot and iced.
Posted by Bob at 5:00 am | Comments (3)
31st January, 2007: The Constant Comment Experience
It never ceases to amaze me the stories I hear about “Constant Comment”. I was recently making a sales call and the buyer had such fond memories of sitting around the table with her mother and drinking “Constant Comment”. It was the only tea her mother drank and it was the product that got her into tea today. I wish I could bottle all these stories and “reintroduce” the tea to all those individuals with similar experiences. It never fails, I then open up our stay fresh package and have them take a “whiff” of the tea-after taking a slow inhale, they seem to go to another place, a big smile comes across their face and then they comment about drinking it again.
As a family company, it is so important that we come out with new and exciting flavors that the customer wants but to see the reaction to “CC”, well I just know if people would have a cup today, they would fall in love with “Constant Comment” all over again. The good news is, that tea is still the number one specialty sold in the United States, but just think about all the people that have not had “CC” for a while, and how drinking one cup would bring them back to place long ago and provide a delicious and special experience….
Posted by Cindi at 6:36 am | Comments (3)
