This expanded Back-to-School episode is for parents of all ages— from those raising babies and toddlers to moms of tweens. Host Cynthia Barstow is joined by longtime alum and POB advisor Kristin Peters and daughter-in-law Bex Barstow, current Co-Ed of Protect Our Breasts at BCPP, to explore what moms really want to know about safer school supplies, snacks, baby gear, and more. From lunchboxes to lotion, we’ve got your little ones covered.

Suggested Choices from our Guests:

• Food: Once Upon a Farm (pouches and bars), Amara Smoothie Melts, Happy Wolf Bars, Hippies, Jonny Pops (summer treats), Organic Valley organic cheese sticks, Cerebelly (bars & pouches), Aldens Organic (ice cream), Lesser Evil (popcorn), Crofters (fruit spread), Made Good granola bars, Simple Mills organic crackers, Dave’s Killer Bread (and bars), organic hummus, organic fruits and vegetables
• Lunch containers: Stainless steel bento boxes, silicone re-usable pouches (for homemade smoothies), Elk & Friends (glass cups with silicone sleeve and straws and lots of good options on Amazon)
• Personal Care: Badger, EllaOla, Boka toothpaste, EarthMama, Ever Eden, DIY options, Jack n Jill toothpaste, Attitude, Huppy Toothpaste
• Cleaning: Branch Basics, Attitude
• Clothing: Reima, Hanna Andersson, Burts Bees, Pehr, Colored Organics, Honest Baby
• Toys: Plan Toys, Grimm's, Bella Luna online, Under the Nile or Hazel Village stuffed animals
• Diapering: HealthyBaby, Kudos
• Laundering: Molly's Suds powder
• Water bottles: Pura stainless, Kleen Kanteen (their silicone straws now twist down)
• Medication: Genexa vs. conventional Tylenol

Need help? Bex has offered. Email her at Bex@bcpp.org Thanks Bex 💚

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In this episode of ShelfSense, we dig into the magic of local food with Dan Kaplan, Brookfield Farm CSA farmer of 28 years, and Leila Tunnell, K–6 garden educator and past farm apprentice. Together, they share how community supported agriculture offers us an opportunity to connect more deeply—with the land, with each other, and with what we eat. From farm stands to school gardens, little ones across local elementary schools are learning to love the full experience—from soil to harvest—and with it, growing a genuine desire to protect it all. Hear how engaging with local food encourages connections to land, food, and community to take root for us all.

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In this revealing episode of ShelfSense, we dig into the roots of the herbal products lining our shelves. Our guests, Dr. Zoe Gardner, editor of the Botanical Safety Handbook and self-proclaimed herb nerd, and Emma Cosaboom, a Gen Z expert in sourcing and marketing, both bring their deep experience from their time at Traditional Medicinals, a brand celebrated for its sourcing integrity. Together, they unpack why plant material quality is the key to herbal efficacy, and how not all herbal companies meet that mark. From the importance of indigenous knowledge to the science behind what works (and what doesn’t), this episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever sipped an herbal tea or taken a supplement for their health.

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In this Fourth of July-inspired episode of ShelfSense, Cynthia is joined by Sarah Alexander, Director of Customer Marketing at Nixie and one of her first Seed to Shelf assistants, along with her daughter Emily Barstow, a marketing consultant who got her start at Late July Organic Snacks. They share behind-the-scenes stories from the early startup days at Late July and explore how founder Nicole Dawes is once again leading with purpose — this time with Nixie, the only certified organic, zero sugar, zero calorie (non-probiotic) soda line on the market. It’s a conversation about values, innovation, and why working for a mission-driven brand matters — especially when it comes to the sips and snacks we share.

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Is Sunscreen protecting us…or putting us at risk? Badger Co-CEO Rebecca Hamilton and clean beauty advocate + new mom Jen Brown unpack mineral sunscreens, SPF, when to reapply, UVA vs UVB, and the chemicals that might be doing more harm than good.

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Is Organic the real deal? What about other product claims? How can I afford it? Organic pioneer Katherine DiMatteo talks with Gen Z Sage D’Amelio about how Organic became a law and what to consider in making Organic choices on the shelves.

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The two women leading Protect Our Breasts share how hidden chemicals in our everyday products are linked to breast cancer—and what we can do about it. From plastic packaging to fragrance trees, and campus campaigns to motherhood, this student-driven action has already created real change.

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ShelfSense: Stories Behind Our Stuff is where Cynthia Barstow brings together natural products change-makers sharing their stories with younger generations, so together they can help make sense of what’s on our shelves. Along the way, they reveal how the choices we make — from food to fashion, beauty to beverages — impact our health, our wellness, and our planet.

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