Petaluma spa products producer wins grant

MoonEssence in downtown Petaluma is one part salon, one part spa and one part manufacturer of all-natural, organic body care products.

It was co-founded in 2005 by Ted Giammona, his mother Theressea and Rod Schmittou, a certified hair stylist and colorist. A little more than two years ago, they started wholesaling their products to grocery stores that include Whole Foods Market.

MoonEssence prides itself on creating products made from locally sourced organic materials whenever possible. While ingredients such as coconut oil aren’t locally available, everything else is bought from local farms and businesses. “We work with a lot of organic farmers around here,” said Schmittou.

MoonEssence was nominated for a Whole Foods’ Small Producer Grant because of its use of local sources and received $5,556 in June.

Both Giammona and Schmittou expressed gratitude for their customers.

“We live in such a great area,” said Giammona.

MoonEssence is located at 1124 B St. in Petaluma, 763-5363. A full list of services and products is available at moonessence.com.

Alex T. Randolph