For Ferdinand

LOUISVILLE, KY -- Find eSutras Organics at the Kentucky Derby on April 29th for Ferdinand's Ball, the kickoff gala to benefit Old Friends, the Kentucky non-profit thoroughbred retirement facility for racehorses, and to promote awareness and the eventual end to racehorse abuse.

eSutras is donating our products - really lovely gift baskets - for the gala's silent auction and offering samples of some of our delicious food items for patrons and guests. We don't need to tell you this, but just to reiterate: eSutras will always be cruelty-free, vegetarian, small-batch and traditionally handcrafted in the United States. Putting an end to the needless slaughtering of our majestic, prized thoroughbreds is something we really care about!

The gala is named in honor of Ferdinand, the 1987 winner of the Kentucky Derby. Sent to a breeding facility in Japan in the mid-nineties, it was later discovered that Ferdinand had been slaughtered, and to the surprise of his previous owners, who were never told of his fate. 15% of all horses slaughtered in the United States every year are former thoroughbred racehorses. Can you believe we treat these majestic animals (and not to mention expensive investments and prized possessions) so carelessly? What a waste of beautiful life!

So you can imagine that we're really excited to be present at the event to show our support. It will be hosted by NBC's Access Hollywood anchor, Maria Menounos, and catered by chef Kathy Cary of Lilly's Restaurant in Louisville. Lilly's is known for its deliciously authentic Kentucky cuisine, and for always using the best, most local, organic and natural products on the market. We're honored to be in such admirable company!

We'll be starting a countdown and displaying some of the amazing things we'll be bringing with us to the Derby in the coming weeks. 

TGIF, everybody. Have a great weekend.