The products professionals use

About Sage

Sage wood fiber cutting surfaces and tools are the same boards that have been used in professional kitchens for more than 50 years. All Sage products are manufactured in Seattle by established food-industry leader, Read Products. The 1962 introduction of Read Woodfiber Laminate® Cutting Boards, Bakery Table Tops and Stirring Tools changed the commercial food service industry by creating long-lasting, durable, hygienic and eco-friendly products for commercial food preparation.

Sustainability

Sage is FSC® Certified

The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is a non-profit organization that promotes environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and economically viable forestry practices.

Products made from wood and labeled with an FSC® Chain-Of-Custody (COC) certification number can be tracked back to the forest where the wood was grown and harvested under the FSC’s strict guidelines.
Learn More

Sage uses less material

Because the material is extremely dense, Sage Culinary Surfaces can be less than half the thickness of solid wood or plastic boards.

Sage is made of wood fiber

Sage Surfaces & Sage Cook Tools are made from READ Woodfiber Laminate®, a panel material comprised of Woodfiber sheets that are saturated with plastic resin and heat-pressed. Since wood fiber can be obtained from wood that is too small for the lumber industry, there is less impact on natural whole-wood resources.

Sage has an indeterminate lifespan

Sage Culinary Surfaces & Sage Cook Tools are made to last a lifetime! They will far outlast wood, bamboo, cork, and plastic.

Pure & simple color

Sage Culinary Surfaces are available in Natural and Slate; Sage Cook Tools are available in Natural. No dyes have been added to the natural color. When new, the surface is a natural, light tone; with age and use, it will darken to rich, reddish-brown. To create the Slate color, dye is added to the wood fiber early in the process. No dye is ever added to the resin.

Are you for the planet?

Sage does more than offer sustainable, environmentally friendly products. We also donate one percent of our gross sales to 1% For The Planet. Sage’s contributions are earmarked for planting new trees and education on how to take care of our planet.
Learn More

Going further

Read sources raw materials from within a 30-mile radius of its Seattle location. Most waste generated in manufacturing has other uses. Sawdust is taken to a local composting plant. Material too small for cutting surfaces is used to make even smaller products for other industries, so very little actually ends up in the landfill. Read implements ideas wherever possible that will reduce its carbon footprint.

Certifications & Associations

All Sage products are made from FSC® Certified wood pulp

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) is an independent non-profit organization that promotes environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and economically viable forestry practices. Today, 136 million hectares, distributed over 80 countries, are FSC® Certified.

Sage contributes 1% of sales to environmental groups

1% for the Planet exists to build and support an alliance of businesses financially committed to creating a healthy planet. Since 2002, 1% for the Planet has inspired members of the business community to contribute 1% of sales to environmental groups around the world. Contributions from Sage are specifically earmarked for the planting of new trees and education on how to take care of our planet.

Warranty

Sage Culinary Surfaces and Tools are built to the highest standards of quality. At each stage of the manufacturing process, superior workmanship ensures consistently well-made products. Read Products confidently offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Care & Maintenance

Sage Smart Culinary Surfaces and Sage Cook Tools are dishwasher-safe. Because they are non-porous, they will not harbor bacteria and can also be simply wiped clean using a dishcloth or sponge with any mild and environmentally friendly cleaning product. An occasional application of mineral oil will enhance the color, if desired.

FAQs

Wood fiber in the form of paper is saturated with resin, then heated and compressed. The resulting material is smooth, dense, non-porous, hygienic, heat resistant, and extremely durable.
Sage Surfaces and Sage Cook Tools are dishwasher safe. Because the material is non-porous, Sage products can also be wiped clean using a dishcloth or sponge with any mild and environmentally friendly dish soap. An occasional application of mineral oil will enhance the natural patina that develops with use.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) is a non-profit organization that promotes environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and economically viable forestry practices. FSC® is recognized in over 80 countries and has certified over 136 million hectares of the world’s forests.

Products made from FSC® Certified wood that hold an FSC® Chain-of-Custody (COC) Certification, can be tracked from the point of manufacture back to the forest where the wood was grown and harvested under the guidelines of FSC®'s Principles and Criteria.
Learn more >
Sage Culinary Surfaces will last at least twice as long as wood, bamboo, cork, or plastic boards.
No, the material is not hard enough to harm or dull knives yet is dense enough to resist deep slice marks that can harbor bacteria.
Yes, Sage boards can be used where others melt. They will withstand heat up to 350° F (176° C) when used as a trivet. Sage surfaces are not to be used in an oven or microwave.
Sage Surfaces are available in natural and slate. Sage Cook Tools are available in natural. No dyes were added to the pure wood fiber or the resin to create the natural color. When new, the surface is a light warm tone. With age and use, it will darken to rich, reddish brown. For slate, dye is added to the paper. Slate ranges in appearance from charcoal gray to deep black. An application of mineral oil enhances the color to its deepest shade.
Not usually, but there is a chance that larger size boards may warp slightly as a characteristic of any material derived from wood.
Unlike Sage Culinary Surfaces, plastic boards do not withstand knives well. After little use, deep cut marks collect food particles and juices which quickly turn black with bacteria. Once the plastic board surface becomes rough, it is almost impossible to clean. Plastic will also not withstand heat.
Unlike Sage Culinary Surfaces, wood cannot be successfully cleaned by immersing and scrubbing in hot, soapy water or running through a dishwasher. The grain in wood boards will open and absorb bacteria. Most health departments will not allow the use of wood in commercial kitchens.
Use the zip code search "where to buy" feature, located on the top right of every page, to find a local or online retailer in your area.
Yes, there is a Limited Lifetime Warranty.