Here’s a response I received from Justine with Essential Living Foods, regarding the packaging and that the container are half full on the mixes.

Hello Victor,

Yes, I did get your email. Thank you.
Sorry about the late reply; I’ve been hectic with work!
I also wanted to wait to get you some info on the packaging
issue that you mentioned in your email.

For display purposes, we chose one size for the recycled tin cans that
we use for all of our powders and drink mixes. This was a choice to
have uniformity and a size that would fit well on the shelves for display.
The amount of powder or mix is marked on the cans in ounces and that is
the amount that you pay for when you purchase it.
The weight of our different powders and mixes vary but the canister size remains
consistent.

I understand and appreciate where you are coming from with regards
to suggesting a smaller package for the mix that you bought.
There are many choices that our company made when we created our
retail brand. Most of those choices were about the content and
quality of the products, fair trade practices, the sustainability factor in our
business model, including the packaging we use and our choice to donate
1% of our sales to Amazon Watch. We also made choices from a
marketing perspective to be able to have our products housed on and
coming to our customer from the shelves of Whole Foods and other
natural grocery stores.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Thank you for including our Essential Living Foods line of products
in your blog! And I hope you are enjoying the Chocolate Drink Mix,
which is what I believe you purchased on the day that we met at
the Arroyo Whole Foods.

Sincerely,

Justine

Justine Klineman
Essential Living Foods

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My response:
Hi Justine,

Thanks for the response. I don’t believe that this information is printed on the container, and perhaps it should be.

While I understand where the company is coming from it could be perceived as somewhat deceptive and a wasteful regardless of whether or not the packaging is recycled. I would highly recommend revisiting the packaging.

Would it make any difference if I conveyed this to the owner(s) of the company, or are you one of the owners?

I would be happy to speak with you or anyone else regarding the issue.

And btw, you do a great job of demonstrating the products.

Regards,
Victor