[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 27, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S1269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING LIVING NUTZ

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, today I recognize a small business 
from my home State of Maine that has revolutionized the health snack 
food market. Living Nutz, a company that sells all-natural, organic 
nuts and seeds in a variety of delicious flavors, provides its 
customers with delicious treats that are exceedingly nutritious without 
sacrificing an ounce of taste.
  Seth Leaf Pruzansky and Davy Pruzansky, brothers who founded Living 
Nutz in 2002 in the basement of their house in Bowdoinham, ME, 
represent the hard work and passionate drive that go into small 
businesses in Maine and across the Nation. It takes Living Nutz's core 
group of seven employees about a week to clean, season, and prepare 
nuts for distribution to retail stores throughout the United States and 
Canada, as well as for sales through Living Nutz's website. From 
almonds to walnuts and raisins to pumpkin seeds, Living Nutz offers 19 
varieties, including sweet ones like Banana Bread and Cina-Pecan-Bun, 
and spicy ones like Lemon Tahini Twist and Spicy Onion Garlic. The 
company is also certified by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners 
Association, ensuring both the quality and authenticity of its snacks.
  Living Nutz employs a time-intensive process to produce several 
thousand pounds of nuts each week. First, the nuts are soaked overnight 
in water. Then, the next morning, employees place the nuts in large 
bowls and add all-natural flavoring. The nuts are finally placed into 
dehydrators for 5 days before being packaged and shipped. The Pruzansky 
brothers believe that the soaking method delivers a more desirous 
product, and one that is easier to digest. They say that these ``living 
nuts'' are significantly richer in enzymes and nutrients than nuts that 
are cooked. In the end, this lengthy procedure yields healthy and 
taste-filled nuts, as well as repeat customers and devoted fans of the 
company.
  Living Nutz recently played a cameo role in the 2008 Screen Actors 
Guild awards, as the Guild selected the company to contribute 1,500 
bags of its mixed nuts for the actors' and attendees' gift bags. What 
makes this occasion so unique is that the Screen Actors Guild actually 
approached the Pruzansky brothers with the opportunity, instead of vice 
versa. As a result of this exposure, the brothers hope to take on new 
customers and even celebrity clientele, and are seeking to expand by 
adding new facilities, equipment, and employees.
  The Pruzansky brothers and Living Nutz are symbols of Maine's great 
small business achievements. They have proven beyond a doubt that 
healthy food can taste great. The brothers' unique spin on healthy 
food, combined with their great sense of business skills, has made 
Living Nutz such a successful company. Therefore, I congratulate the 
company on its success from Maine to Hollywood, and wish everyone at 
Living Nutz the best for years to come.

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