{"id":18,"date":"2022-03-21T13:31:25","date_gmt":"2022-03-21T18:31:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/?page_id=18"},"modified":"2023-08-07T14:06:55","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T19:06:55","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"18\" class=\"elementor elementor-18\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c1bacd9 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c1bacd9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1066de8c\" data-id=\"1066de8c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76dd4f20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"76dd4f20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Certifying your Ingredients with the Recognized Standard<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3797ac2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3797ac2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>We believe in vegetarian-minded consumers making informed choices.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-723b53e5 elementor-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-101 elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"723b53e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm elementor-animation-grow\" href=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/certifications\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get Certified<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2d8985df elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2d8985df\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2f1e3681\" data-id=\"2f1e3681\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-b98f556 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b98f556\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-79a90e4\" data-id=\"79a90e4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e3c85b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1e3c85b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 30-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/couple-happy-shopping.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1474\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/couple-happy-shopping.png 800w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/couple-happy-shopping-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/couple-happy-shopping-768x480.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ca92535\" data-id=\"ca92535\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21f043e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"21f043e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our Mission<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bf43b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6bf43b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We celebrate vegetarian choices and the people that make them. Choosing the right product can be deeply personal. We provide multiple certifications to support all vegetarian choices for consumer goods. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our goal is for vegetarian-minded people to have confidence in the quality of products they select and trust in the manufacturers\u2019 claims. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db37872 elementor-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"db37872\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/certifications\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get Certified<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3ac8e10a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3ac8e10a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-48ec0594\" data-id=\"48ec0594\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26f995e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"26f995e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We stand alone as the only Vegetarian Certification provider in the U.S.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-670c9e2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"670c9e2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a0f57b3\" data-id=\"a0f57b3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-9e8bfab elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9e8bfab\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a3bfef3\" data-id=\"a3bfef3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce2d75e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ce2d75e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/couple-shopping-produce.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1472\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/couple-shopping-produce.png 800w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/couple-shopping-produce-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/couple-shopping-produce-768x480.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-706dc43\" data-id=\"706dc43\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9bc38c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d9bc38c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our History<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e99dba elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7e99dba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AVA was founded in 1999 by Len Torine. With no rulings or directions by the FDA on Vegan, Vegetarian or Plant-Based labeling, there was an opportunity to certify products. Over the past 20 years, AVA has certified products from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies representing categories that include food, beauty, supplements, and household products. AVA has worked with Taco Bell, Nordic Naturals, Nuun, Smartypants, Starbucks, Clorox, and Danone. AVA has grown with the primary objective of providing a widely recognized Certification Program that will enable vegetarian-minded people to make accurate food choices.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, there is an immense growth of Vegan, Vegetarian, Plant-Based, and Animal-Free products. We offer multiple Certifications for products. We work to give consumers accurate information so they can make the choices that are right for them. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c14d53 elementor-align-left elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"3c14d53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/certifications\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get Certified<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1bed4338 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1bed4338\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-51782ca4\" data-id=\"51782ca4\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c42aa9e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7c42aa9e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Meet the People Behind AVA<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-36ed48cb elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"36ed48cb\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-50b4d212\" data-id=\"50b4d212\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5e137656 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5e137656\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Len-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1424\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Len-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Len-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Len-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Len.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-621b532b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"621b532b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Len Torine<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7df6059 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7df6059\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Founder & Advisor<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35ba0e57 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"35ba0e57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Len founded AVA in 1999 with the mission of promoting vegetarian ideas and products. The widely recognized AVA Certification Program enables vegetarian-minded people to make accurate food choices.<\/p><p>Len has an extensive background in the food and restaurant industry. He was raised in his father&#8217;s grocery and produce market in Newark, NJ. He went on to create, own, and operate several natural food and health conscience restaurants throughout his career.\u00a0<\/p><p>His book, <em>Light Cuisine<\/em> sold almost 1 million copies. Len co-founded VeggieLand, a strictly vegetarian manufacturer in Parsippany, NJ, that created products for some of the largest retailers in the U.S.<\/p><p>Today Len enjoys boating with his family, and loves cooking at home.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-37af660c\" data-id=\"37af660c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-971c50a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"971c50a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"757\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/julie-headshot2-757x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1423\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/julie-headshot2-757x1024.jpg 757w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/julie-headshot2-222x300.jpg 222w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/julie-headshot2-768x1039.jpg 768w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/julie-headshot2-1135x1536.jpg 1135w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/julie-headshot2-1514x2048.jpg 1514w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/julie-headshot2-scaled.jpg 1892w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 757px) 100vw, 757px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f45594f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7f45594f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Julie Kral<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3351e79d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3351e79d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Executive Director<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-230b0580 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"230b0580\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Julie believes in labeling products, not people. She celebrates all vegetarian choices and embraces the journey to making them. With a background in product development and sourcing, Julie understands how important it is for a brand to clearly and effectively communicate a product&#8217;s attributes to consumers.<span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); background-color: var( --e-global-color-be165ed );\">The AVA Certification Program allows consumers to make the right vegetarian choices for them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-text ); background-color: var( --e-global-color-be165ed );\">Julie lives in Minneapolis with her husband, two daughters, and golden retriever named Lily. The entire family (even Lily) practice a vegetarian lifestyle and eat a plant-based diet. In her free time, Julie spends time golfing, traveling, and trying new vegan restaurants.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-0ae2c9a elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0ae2c9a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-3d7431b\" data-id=\"3d7431b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-917ec78 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"917ec78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"593\" height=\"930\" src=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Laura.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1425\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Laura.jpg 593w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Laura-191x300.jpg 191w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 593px) 100vw, 593px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d4ef58 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6d4ef58\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Laura Hann<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cd4cf0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7cd4cf0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Certification Manager\u200b<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-afeea97 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"afeea97\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As AVA&#8217;s chief label reader, Laura combines her passion for health and wellness with her curiosity to understand what exactly is in each AVA Certified product.<\/p><p>Laura has a background in retail planning and product sourcing. She also understands from personal experience how time-consuming and tedious reading labels can be. She has navigated a diet free of dairy for her daughter. She is eager to share with others an AVA Vegan or Plant-Based Certification ensures there is no dairy in a product.<\/p><p>You can find Laura at her local Farmer&#8217;s Market or co-op. Laura also enjoys yoga, reading, and spending time with her husband and two kids.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-0d80bf2\" data-id=\"0d80bf2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49d7369 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"49d7369\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"717\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/K.C.-BIO-Photo-1-717x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-5416\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/K.C.-BIO-Photo-1-717x1024.jpeg 717w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/K.C.-BIO-Photo-1-210x300.jpeg 210w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/K.C.-BIO-Photo-1-768x1097.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/K.C.-BIO-Photo-1.jpeg 978w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 717px) 100vw, 717px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c307c70 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c307c70\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">K.C. Weiss<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-601591d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"601591d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Membership Director<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-96b72e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"96b72e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With a background in Retail Merchandising and Brand Management, K.C. understands how important simple processes, clear standards, and excellent customer service are to consumers and brands.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">K.C. is also passionate about finding healthier alternatives to all our daily conveniences. Through this journey, she believes that certified products build with consumers and make trips to the store so much easier. This is one of the many reasons she is excited to be part of AVA.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can find K.C. enjoying the beach with her husband, out walking their crazy but loveable labradoodle, or tackling a home project.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-73cfe47 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"73cfe47\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d60df57\" data-id=\"d60df57\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-546099e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"546099e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"601\" src=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/trusted.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-86\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/trusted.png 600w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/trusted-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/trusted-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf5f087 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bf5f087\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Trusted by Major Brands<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a6c3309 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a6c3309\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-20 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6a19a2e\" data-id=\"6a19a2e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af10c0c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"af10c0c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"494\" src=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016_TacoBellLogo_Vertical_Clr_Blk.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-89\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016_TacoBellLogo_Vertical_Clr_Blk.png 1008w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016_TacoBellLogo_Vertical_Clr_Blk-300x185.png 300w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016_TacoBellLogo_Vertical_Clr_Blk-768x475.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-20 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-6328d94\" data-id=\"6328d94\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fca92a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fca92a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"894\" src=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/nordic-naturals-916x1024.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-88\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/nordic-naturals-916x1024.png 916w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/nordic-naturals-268x300.png 268w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/nordic-naturals-768x859.png 768w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/nordic-naturals-1373x1536.png 1373w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/nordic-naturals.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-20 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-14b2611\" data-id=\"14b2611\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad39a48 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ad39a48\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"216\" height=\"216\" src=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/HungryPlanetRGB.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-90\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/HungryPlanetRGB.png 216w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/HungryPlanetRGB-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 216px) 100vw, 216px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-20 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-04d4b77\" data-id=\"04d4b77\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e9e65c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4e9e65c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"370\" src=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Schreiber_logo-with-tagline-color.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-91\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Schreiber_logo-with-tagline-color.png 905w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Schreiber_logo-with-tagline-color-300x139.png 300w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/Schreiber_logo-with-tagline-color-768x356.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-20 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-e7a4575\" data-id=\"e7a4575\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f03f62b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f03f62b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"257\" src=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/recommendedAsset-2JB-1024x329.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1888\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/recommendedAsset-2JB-1024x329.png 1024w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/recommendedAsset-2JB-300x96.png 300w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/recommendedAsset-2JB-768x247.png 768w, https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/recommendedAsset-2JB.png 1118w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4aeef664 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4aeef664\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;_ha_eqh_enable&quot;:false}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2344ae5\" data-id=\"2344ae5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3577eefa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3577eefa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We&#8217;re here to help. If you have any questions regarding Certification or process, please don&#8217;t hesitate to reach out.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38a47640 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"38a47640\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/contact\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Contact Us<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Certifying your Ingredients with the Recognized Standard We believe in vegetarian-minded consumers making informed choices. Get Certified Our Mission We celebrate vegetarian choices and the people that make them. Choosing the right product can be deeply personal. We provide multiple certifications to support all vegetarian choices for consumer goods. Our goal is for vegetarian-minded people [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"About The American Vegetarian Association","_seopress_titles_desc":"At the American Vegetarian Association, we provide multiple certifications to support all vegetarian choices for consumer goods, helping consumers make informed choices.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/americanveg.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}