Featured Company: Immaculate Baking Co.

I first heard about Immaculate Baking Co. at the graduation party of a Kenan-Flagler student this past May. She mentioned to me that Immaculate is a North Carolina-based company. I also tried a couple different flavors of their cookies that day; both were excellent.

At the party, I was given an idea of what Immaculate Baking Co. does, besides making cookies and chocolate-covered biscotti. But I went to Immaculate's website to find out more. Their website highlights the main reason I'd consider them socially responsible, but there is something else that is not so highlighted that I feel is very important as well. The website talks of how Immaculate supports the Folk Artist's Foundation through a profit-sharing program.

Their website shows the folk art programs they are involved with as well as the goals of them.

Programs:
* Provide artists with materials for their craft (i.e. paint, roof tin, wood, etc.)
* Help folk artists secure stable living conditions and maintain quality of life
* Provide contacts between artists and collectors, galleries, and museums
* Hold events throughout the year that unite folk artists with children of all backgrounds
* Permanently display our folk art collection for groups (school, church, social, etc.) to visit and learn more about this viable artform


Goals:
* To increase the awareness and appreciation of these gifted artists, especially within the local communities in which they live and work
* To build grant programs that help provide for these artists necessities such as proper housing, food, medical assistance, etc.
* To build a folk art museum which will serve as a permanent home for our foundation and its activities.

The other point I wanted to mention that isn't as highlighted on their website is that the ingredients they use are all-natural, preservative-free and not processed. While I am not sure about this, I believe they also use less sugar than a 'typical' store-bought cookie. So while you can't say that cookies are healthy, it's great to have choices out there that use less harmful ingredients. It's also good to know that some of the money you spend on your purchase will support a good cause that the company is passionate about.

Click here to find the list of retailers that sell Immaculate Baking Co. products. 35 U.S. states are represented, but they are also carried nationwide at Whole Foods and Williams-Sonoma.