When Paul Newman died on Friday, the world lost one of its most enjoyable actors, a loss that has been keenly felt through the entertainment world and around the country. However, like his portrayals of Butch Cassidy, Cool-Hand Luke, and Sully Sullivan, the blue-eyed icon's "Newman's Own" brand will continue on, continuing to delight consumers. In his dedication to craft, both on the screen and in the kitchen, Newman created a wonderful, lasting monument to philanthropy, culinary excellence, and love.

A siginifican part of Newman's legacy lies with "Newman's Own Organics," a subsidiary that the actor's daughter, Nell, launched in 1993. Like the original Newman's Own, the organics division prominently features the actor and donates its profits to charity. Beyond that, the company's organic bent has allowed it to develop a loyal fan base, even among those who weren't initially attracted by Newman's involvement. Newman's Own Organics has become, like Annie's Naturals or Dr. Bronner's, one of the few brand names that inspires recognition and trust among organic consumers.



For that matter, even the basic Newman's Own brand largely avoids unnatural food additives. As somebody who isn't all that concerned about organics, but is seriously freaked out about high fructose corn syrup, Newman's Own has become the first brand name that I reach for when reading labels in the supermarket. At this point, the name recognition that inspires me is related to Newman's quality food products, not his performance in Slap Shot.

From the sounds of things, Newman spent the last few months preparing his company for his death. If his descendants can continue to maintain the same quality, it seems likely that Newman's Own will remain a preferred brand for generations that may or may not have heard of the company's famous founder. Both as a consumer and as someone who admires the almost $250 million commitment that Newman made to philanthropy, I have high hopes for their continued success!