In yesterday’s post regarding Bolthouse, I speculated on whether to continue to buy Bolthouse beverages. While I did note that William Bolthouse was not making a donation on behalf of the company, the company in fact wasn’t even aware of his donation (until it was made publicly known). Lane Hudson, who was previously interviewed in Nina’s Ten Money Questions, contacted Queercents to give us some additional information. Forwarding a memo from the president   and CEO of Bolthouse Farms, Jeff Dunn, Hudson wanted to make more emphatic the reminder that William Bolthouse’s donation reflects his own personal beliefs and those of the Bolthouse Foundation, an entity entirely separate from Bolthouse Farms. He also pointed out that Dunn’s policies since becoming CEO have been supportive of the LGBT community. In addition to the previously mentioned benefits to same-sex partners and the Gold level Sponsorship of $5,000 made by Dunn personally, Hudson points out that Bolthouse sponsored the NGLTF LA Awards Brunch and rewrote the Corporate Philosophy and Corporate Mission to reflect the non-discriminatory status. It now reads:

Bolthouse Farms’ philosophical heritage manifests itself in business through the mutual respect, personal dignity and equitable treatment of all of our customers, employees, vendors and associates. The Company does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age mental condition, handicap, veteran status, sexual orientation, or marital status. Benefits are available for qualified dependents of same-sex marriages just as they are available for qualified dependents of heterosexual marriages. The requirements are exactly the same.

Hudson’s email also remarks that “Bill Bolthouse hasn’t had a financial stake in the company since 2005.   His son-in-law is now a non-executive Chairman of the Board and has disavowed his father-in-law’s donation.” Though I’m saddened by William Bolthouse’s support for protectmarriage.com, I’m quite glad and reassured to see that the new CEO is taking the company in such a positive direction, especially since cold season is approaching and I don’t want to be without my protein smoothies.