Verve, Inc. | Glee Gum United States

Verve is an independent, family-owned business, dedicated to linking world communities and creating environmentally and socially responsible products and activities. Verve's products include: Glee gum - all natural chewing gum and Make your own chewing gum, chocolate, & gummy candy - educational activity kits for kids. In 1992, the concept for verve was born when we visited an economically depressed chicle-producing community in northern Guatemala. Up until then, we had never really thought about how chewing gum was made. When we realized its origins, we learned that prior to the synthetic resins, chicle was the basis of the entire industry. Our goal was to support chicle-harvesting by purchasing chicle. With this goal in mind, verve was born, and with it our first and most popular product, the make your own chewing gum kit. Today, verve provides a sustainable source of income for those communities while simultaneously offering fun, educational, and environmentally friendly activities for kids. Our pioneering make your own chewing gum kit has captivated the imaginations of thousands of children while helping them to learn more about the world around them. They are often used in classrooms where students are studying rainforest ecology, the history of food production, the chemistry of cooking, and the interconnections in our global community. Verve's commitment to environmental and social justice is twofold; first, we closely monitor the environmental and social impact of our own business practices, and second, we create products and curriculum that help children think about environmental and social issues in innovative, interesting, and developmentally appropriate ways. Our finished products are designed to help people think about where products come from, how raw materials and natural resources can be used responsibly, and how communities around the world depend upon one another to help build a healthier future.