SBN's Boston Local Food program has been busy planning for the second annual Boston Local Food Festival to be held on Saturday, October 1st, 2011 at Fort Point Channel. This year, we are excited to welcome back many of the favorite vendors and exhibitors from last year as well as plenty of new ones. Boston Local Food is all about growing a sustainable local food system with a goal to provide healthy local food for all. The 2011 festival will be a great opportunity to learn about local food options, support our local independent businesses and celebrate with people who are doing great work. There are many volunteer opportunities throughout the summer and the day of the festival. Join the local food movement and volunteer! You can sign up on our website. We are looking forward to seeing you at this year's festival!

Sel de la Terre's contemporary and clean feel  provides  an atmosphere comforting and welcoming to all. The clean, rustic decor transcends the atmosphere and the food. The staff was welcoming and the cocktails thoughtfully included fun local spirits, like Berkshire Mountain Distillers "Ethereal" gin, handcrafted in the Berkshires.  

Diners were graced with course by course descriptions from new Chef de Cuisine, Franco Carubia. After a few years as sous chef at sister restaurant L'Espalier, Franco has taken reins at Sel de la Terre Back Bay. Franco discussed his own commitment to local and sustainable cuisine as he told diners about Apple Street Farm in Essex, Massachusetts. Apple Street Farm is a venture of Chef/Proprietor Frank McClelland where he raises chickens and grows organic fruits and vegetables which supplies the kitchen. "It's any chef's dream to have fresh eggs and this quality of produce coming in to the kitchen daily," said Franco.

To read the entire article please click here. 

Cambridge Local First officially turned 6 years old this July. They had about 60 people including several new member businesses at their birthday celebration. It was a fantastic party with a potluck spread that had some great dishes including desserts from First Printer Restaurant, salads from Season to Taste Catering, a chocolate cake from John Schall of Fire + Ice, and other wonderful treats.

Here's to many more wonderful years for Cambridge Local First!   

Cambridge City Councilors Sam Seidel and Leland Cheung, Tim Rowe (Cambridge Innovation Center) and Lee Joseph (CLF Steering Committee Member) at the celebration.

Corporate sponsorships are an important and growing piece of SBN funding. SBN would like to recognize and thank the following sponsors for their generous contributions and support for the Sustainable Business Leader Program (SBLP) and the Worcester Sustainable Business Leader Program (WSBLP).  

Absolute Green Energy Corporation:  

Based out of Worcester, MA, Absolute Green Energy Corporation focuses on providing cost effective energy saving solutions and renewable energy systems (solar electric (PV) and solar water heating systems) for industrial, commercial, and residential applications. They conduct free site assessments, and implement an Energy Audit before proceeding with the system designs for their clients. The company partners with local contractors for the installation process empowering the local economy.  

Arrow Paper Corporation:

Based in Wilmington, Massachusetts Arrow Paper Corporation has served customers in the New England area for over 50 years. Arrow Paper Corp. prides itself on its outstanding product quality, sales team and highest level support and service. Arrow Paper has been a great resource for companies looking to use compostables and re-think their packaging.   

Digital Credit Union (DCU): 

Digital Federal Credit Union, better known as DCU, is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by and operated for their members. Headquartered in Marlborough, Massachusetts, DCU is the largest credit union in New England as measured by assets and is among the top 25 nationwide. DCU serves more than 330,000 members and their families in all 50 states.

Littlefoot Energy:    

LittleFoot Energy Corporation is a Massachusetts based company founded with the mission of helping companies and building owners prioritize, monetize, fund, and implement a broad range of energy projects that reduce dependency on fossil fuels, increase the bottom line, and position for a strengthened competitive future. LittleFoot Energy specializes in heating, cooling and electricity projects that combine energy efficiency measures with renewable energy sources - creating hybrid systems that save energy and reduce carbon footprint.

Rough Mountain: 

Rough Mountain Studios, is a visionary documentary film production company, working with a wide variety of clients to enhance communication strategies, convey vital information, and ignite momentum toward organizational goals. Community engagement and social action are critical to Rough Mountain Studios creative work and business.  

ThinkLite LLC :

ThinkLite LLC is a Massachusetts based green lighting firm that specializes in commercial lighting. Through their unique pay through your savings model, the company strives to help individuals adopt green technology in their everyday lives by eliminating the risk and initial costs associated with such upgrades. In doing so ThinkLite helps their customers mitigate their impact on the environment by reducing energy consumption and mercury pollution all while saving money.

Sponsors of SBN and it's programs receive significant value in return for their support including exposure to a large and growing network of conscious consumers, business owners, and movement leaders. In keeping with its mission, SBN and its programs only accept sponsorships from locally owned and independent companies. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of SBN and/or one of its programs please contact: Katrina Kazda, SBN Membership Director at katrina@sbnboston.org

Don't miss this unique opportunity to connect with and learn from like minded business owners and entrepreneurs who share a passion for sustainable business. The SBN Roundtables are groups of up to 8-10 members who want to grow both personally and professionally while helping support their fellow members with their own challenges in a safe and trusting environment of peers.

Spots are limited, for more information and details on how to participate please click here. 

The Harvard Business School Association of Boston (HBSAB) along with the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) and the HBS Green Business Alumni Association (GBAA) is hosting a Case Study Night with Three Small Green Companies 

Hear from three exciting CEOs and Founders:  

• Alex Whitmore, Co-founder & Managing Director of Taza Chocolate, stone ground organic chocolate
• Chris van Vleck, President of West Falmouth Energy, Inc., fire logs and cooking briquettes for the heating and outdoor cooking markets
• Luke Hinkle, President of My Generation Energy, solar energy installation

Hear the stories of how their companies got started, how they are succeeding in today's competitive environment and where they go from here.  

Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.  

Location: Harvard Business School (Room TBD)  

For more information and to register please click here.

On May 16, 2011 Councilor Cheung presented a resolution that was unanimously passed by the City Council. For a second year, it established Cambridge as a Local Economy Community. It called for all departments in the City government to support the growth of the Cambridge economy and proclaimed the week of September 26th - October 2nd, 2011 as Cambridge Local Economy Week.   

By taking a public stand and backing it up with action led by the Cambridge Local Economy Task Force, Cambridge is leading the local economy movement.  Beyond making a public statement of the City's commitment to the local economy, this trailblazing resolution is accomplishing the following:   

• Increased opportunities for municipal procurement from locally owned and independent businesses.
• Ensured locally owned independent banks were encouraged to bid for municipal banking services.
• Supported the efforts of the School Committee to increase the percentage of locally grown and produced food served to our children.
• Emphasized the importance of buying local and promoting a Local Economy Week with signage and other means.
• Continued to consider policies that directly support the growth of locally owned and independent businesses in Cambridge...

On Sept 24, 2011, on the streets of Boston, join a worldwide event - Moving Planet- calling for our elected leaders, businesses and communities to get serious about moving beyond fossil fuels.  Come on bike or on foot, by boat, carpool or public transportation!  Come with your community, your organization, or simply yourself to help make one big and beautiful statement:

We have the power to build a secure, healthy, just and sustainable future for our children and our planet.

SBN and partner organization Somerville Local First are supporting the event and invite all SBN members and friends to join us in showing our support for Moving New England. For more information please or to join SBN and SLF in the parade of solutions click here.

SBN member Be Healthy Boston is putting together a two day urban wellness retreat, right in the heart of Boston! Meant to educate, inspire and empower members of Boston and surrounding communities to live and maintain healthy lifestyles, Be Healthy Boston promises to be a unique experience in a unique environment. The event will offer a wide variety of seminars, workshops and demonstrations, access to local health and wellness vendors and service providers and tasty local treats!  

For more information & to register please visit: http://www.behealthyboston.com/ 

ACCION USA and Sam Adams have partnered to help food, beverage and hospitality small business owners in New England with the tools they need to help their businesses succeed. As a part of their Brewing the American Dream program, they offer business loans up to $25,000 to small business owners. Through their financial and business education seminars and speed coaching events the Boston Beer Company and ACCION USA give top-line guidance, answer questions and help solve small business challenges. For more information please click here.