In This Issue

Exclusive offers for you

From now through December 31st, 2009, all online orders of $20* or more placed on GleeGum.com will include 4 free boxes of Wee Glee! Each box contains 1 ounce of all-natural Wee Glee: itsy bitsy pieces perfectly sized to pop by the handful. With a tasty mix of four fun flavors-- Tangerine, Triple Berry, Bubblegum, and new Banana-- Wee Glee makes for a swell, sweet treat. Share it with family and friends, and everyone will think you're really neat! *The four boxes of Wee Glee will be added to your shipment automatically. No need to add it to your order form.

A little riddle for you: What's better than one pack of Glee Gum? Answer: Two! Well, that riddle was easy to solve. But we didn't want it to be too involved. Now you have time to enjoy two packs today. Just print this Buy One - Get One coupon and you're on your way! Redeemable at your favorite local store, the coupon can be accessed here. So go on, give your mouth some cheer!

GREEN GIFTING

Kits to Connect, Create & Captivate

The holidays approach! Time for Thanksgiving, bell-ringing, choir-singing and, traditionally, a great deal of hand-wringing over gift-giving.

Never fear, gum chums. Glee Gum is here! What better way to spread Glee this year than to stuff it in the stocking of someone dear? If sweets for the sweet don't sound original enough for you, how about an activity kit that your sweetie can do? Introducing... the Make Your Own Candy Kits!

Make Your Own Candy Kits are the perfect gifts for the person who has everything, the tween who claims to like nothing, and the kid who can't stay out of the kitchen! Each all-natural activity kit includes all the ingredients you need to make your own chewing gum, chocolate, or gummy candies from scratch. With a focus on the history behind and the origin of these candies, each kit is designed to captivate your interest, connect you to the global community, and create something yummy to eat in the process!

Why not get Candy Kits for everyone on your list? It will probably result in your getting kissed! Visit our online store locator to find stores near you, or order directly from our webstore at GleeGum.com. And for more great, green gift ideas, be sure to check out the 4 swell, seasonal specials below. In the meantime-- happy holidays, gum chums!

focus on non-timber forest products

Spreading the Glee about NTFPs

While we're all concerned about rainforest conservation, sometimes we may feel limited as to what we can do to really make a difference. Meanwhile, huge swaths of forest are cut or burnt daily to make room for cattle ranching, monocropping, or homesteads for people hoping to eke out a living. Conservation is needed now, more than ever!

So, that's where non-timber forest products (NTFP) come in. NTFPs grow in forest areas and depend upon the forest for their existence. Interestingly, NTFPs are defined by what they're not-- they're forest products, but they're not trees!

The collection and sale of NTFPs relies on keeping forests standing-- on tall trees shading smaller ones, on virgin trees giving shelter to lots of diverse plants and animals. The value of all the NTFPs in an acre of forest can easily surpass the value of the trees themselves. Better still, NTFPs are sustainable. When harvested responsibly, they can be harvested indefinitely. In the process, they provide an ongoing source of income for the folks that harvest them. And that means a built-in incentive to conserve the forest, rather than cut it down.

Glee Gum uses the tree sap chicle as part of its gum base, and chicle is an NTFP. As you might guess, tapping sapodilla trees for chicle requires those trees to be standing tall. In fact, up until recently, the chicle harvest was considered so valuable that cutting down sapodilla trees was illegal!

There are lots of nifty NTFPs out there-- mushrooms and maple syrup, cacao and coffee beans. In recognition of the importance of forests around the world, and in celebration of the upcoming holiday season, Verve has made special arrangements for YOU to give great holiday gifts that support NTFPs. Check them out!

4 SWELL, SEASONAL SPECIALS:

Four of our favorite NTFP supporters return to offer you exclusive specials on their delicious products. Get your holiday shopping done early this year... or just treat yourself!

Mad about Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is one of the sweetest NTFPs around. Our pals at Pieces of Vermont offer it in every shape and size-- from traditional syrup in a variety of grades to sugar candy and even chocolate-maple "bark"! Plus, their sugarers practice woodland stewardship to keep the sweet sap flowing freely for years to come. Pancakes everywhere approve! For $5 off any purchase of $50 or more, including gallons of maple syrup, visit PiecesOfVermont.com and enter GET5BACK as the discount code*.

*Offer expires 12/31/09.

Moonstruck for Mushrooms

FungusAmongUs® products are perfect for holiday meals and gifts! Choose from the most extensive line of organic and wildcrafted dried mushrooms and mushroom products, including delicacies from Italy like Porcini Salt, Truffle Mustard, Truffle Honey (delicious with cheese and crackers!), and Green Peaches with Truffle. To enjoy 10% off any order at their online store, go to FungusAmongUs.com and enter NEWSLETTER1 as the coupon code*.

*Valid on all products. Valid on all categories. No minimum purchase amount. One use per customer. Offer expires 12/31/09.

Crazy about Cacao

Few mortals can resist chocolate, the tasty treat made from the beans of the cacao tree. Even the scientific name of the tree itself, Theobroma cacao, means "food of the gods"! The ever-fabulous Equal Exchange sells a range of Fair Trade, organic, and decadent chocolate. For a great gift idea, consider the Sweet and Spicy Chocolate Sampler, including chocolate bars, spicy hot cocoa, and a ceramic mug! For free shipping on online orders, visit Shop.EqualExchange.com and enter gleeme09 as the discount code*.

*May not be combined with any other offer. Free shipping limited to the continental United States. Offer expires 12/31/09.

Jiving for Java

We love Coffee Exchange Coffee Roasters, a Providence institution with a well-deserved national reputation. For 25 years, the fine folks at Coffee Exchange have been providing great coffee, promoting environmental sustainability, and supporting Fair Trade farmers and their families. Not only is Coffee Exchange committed to sourcing shade-grown coffee, all of their coffee is certified Organic and Fair Trade. Plus, it tastes incredible! To enjoy 10% off any online coffee order, simply visit SustainableCoffee.com, select the coffees you wish to order (free shipping with four pounds or more), and enter the coupon code [GLEE ] in the "apply coupon" section of the shopping cart.*

*Offer expires 12/31/09.

Sweepstakes update

A Trip for Two Awaits You!

Only seven weeks remain in the "Your Ticket to Glee" sweepstakes! In support of the hit TV series "Glee", Glee Gum has teamed up with FOX to offer ELEVEN winning tickets inside select packs of gum this fall. Congratulations to Sadie S. of Kamas, Utah, who has already won a runner-up prize of Glee Gum and "Glee" show merchandise!

Peek inside your next pack of Glee Gum for a chance to win of the ten fabulous prizes remaining, including the super grand prize: a trip for two to Hollywood! The grand prize includes roundtrip air transportation, two nights hotel accommodation, and a $250 American Express gift card. How Glee-ful!

GLEE, the genre-defying new musical comedy series, follows an optimistic teacher who - against all odds and a malicious cheerleading coach - attempts to save McKinley High's Glee Club from obscurity while helping a group of aspiring underdogs realize their true star potential. Tune in to "Glee" Wednesday nights (9/8 c) on FOX!

For more details on winning the "Your Ticket to Glee" Sweepstakes, visit GleeGum.com. In the meantime, chew Glee, watch "Glee" and go Glee-fully!

Glee, Globally

Rooting for the Forest Foundation

Meet The Forest Foundation (TFF), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable livelihoods. Founded in 2001 by graduates of Duke University's School of the Environment, TFF's programs provide environmental education and promote green business development.

What does that mean, exactly? A whole range of exciting initiatives, both locally and internationally! From research in resource management to product design, training courses to import services, TFF supports agro-forestry, artisan crafts and eco-tourism around the globe-- including projects in Central and South America, Africa, and Asia.

As co-founder Marc Dreyfors explains it, "TFF promotes self-sufficient, hybrid models, where small, local green businesses are partnered with non-profits for income generation to help provide resources for the non-profit and build synergistic, lower risk and more sustainable community-based projects."

At their Green Oil and Light Campus in Durham, North Carolina, TFF collects waste vegetable oil from local restaurants and converts it to clean, renewable energy with the help of partner Carolina Biodiesel. The biodiesel in turn fuels the vehicles in one of TFF's green business ventures-- Greenway Transit. With a fleet of bicycle rickshaws and diesel and hybrid cars and vans, Greenway Transit offers an affordable, eco-friendly way to get around town in style!

TFF also has guided and promotes eco-tours in Belize, Madagascar, and Cuba with a focus on the biodiversity of these beautiful places. The organization even offers event planning for green weddings and passing services.

As a long-time supporter of TFF, Verve, inc. is inspired by all their good work and anticipates many great things to come. Hats off to you, TFF, and thanks for making the world a cleaner, greener and more creative place!

Sneak PeEk

Glee Tee, Yippee!

Want to dress to impress? Try the brand new GLEE TEE on for size!

This white, 100% cotton tee shirt features a retro-chic design, a snappy slogan, and one heck of a handsome mascot. Available in sizes small, medium, large and extra-large, the Glee Tee can be purchased directly from our webstore at GleeGum.com. At the affordable price of $12.00 a tee, you may just want to buy enough for the whole family!

Hey, who's that looking sharp in their new Glee Tee? Why, it's YOU, naturally!

 

 

Glee in the Community

Places You're Apt To Find Glee: Basically, Far As The Eye Can See!

Find more information about Glee Gum at GleeGum.com.