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SBN Newsletter
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March, 2012
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Dear SBN Members and Friends,
In reading this newsletter it becomes crystal clear that local business leaders in Greater Boston are rising to the challenge of building a strong new and vibrant economy that is based on providing products and services that are authentic and meet real needs. A major manifestation of this work is the upcoming SBN Sustainability Leadership Summit which will bring together local entrepreneurs with government and nonprofit leaders. This Summit will not only be about developing generative ideas, but it will specifically address how we can bring these great ideas into reality!
There is much excitement building around the 2012 Boston Local Food Festival being held this year at its new location, the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The support of the Greenway team has been wonderful and much appreciated. We thank our friends at the Boston Children's Museum and in the Ft. Point neighborhood for partnering with us in our first two years of the Festival--it was a great run!
Last but not least, thanks to SBN Member, Boston Organics for sponsoring this newsletter. Boston is lucky to have this company be a part of our local food system and economy.
With the first day of spring around the corner, it's a great time for feeling renewed and inspired to grow our local economy.
Happy Spring,
Laury Hammel
Executive Director, SBN
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Boston Local Food Festival Announces New Location for 2012!
SBN's highly successful Boston Local Food Festival is back at a brand new location! The third annual Boston Local Food Festival will be held on Sunday, October 7th, 11am to 5pm at Boston's Rose Kennedy Greenway! And here's a shout out to Nicola Williams, SBN Board Member and President of The Williams Agency, for her fantastic work in making the 2012 Boston Local Food Festival happen for its third year!
 photo credit Somerville Local First
Stay tuned for a list of vendors, volunteer opportunities and lots more!!
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SBN's Green Tip of the Month:
Keep your employees happy and healthy with Boston Organics' 100% Organic office fruit box.
SBN memb er Boston Organics is on a mission to help fellow businesses in the Greater Boston area improve the health and happiness of their employees. Boston Organics will deliver a box of fresh organic fruits directly to your office or break room. The "Office Box" contains a variety of fresh fruits that are easy to eat in the workplace, such as bananas, apples, pears, and citrus or seasonal fruits.
"We want to make it easier for companies to illustrate their commitment to health and achieve the important goal of improving employee productivity and loyalty," says Jeff Barry, Founder/Owner of Boston Organics. For businesses that would like to provide an alternative to vending machines and unhealthy snacks in the workplace, Boston Organics will deliver a fruit box every week or every other week, without a long-term commitment or delivery fee. For more information, check out www.bostonorganics.com/office.
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Michael Shuman to speak at New England Local Business Forum Spring Gathering
Friday, May 4th, 9am - 5pm, First Parish Church, Cambridge
The next regional gathering of the New England Local Business Forum will take place in historic Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA. Noted economist, author and speaker Michael Shuman will deliver the keynote address for the gathering, and will be discussing his latest book: Lo  cal Dollars, Local Sense. The 8th gathering, co-sponsored by the New England Independent Booksellers Association, will bring together key industry partners in the book, bike and toy industry to greater connect efforts year round and in the holiday season. There will also be a keynote address from a prominent speaker on local economies and a series of panels and workshops. Space is limited, click here to register and be a part of this great event!
When: Friday, May 4th, 9am - 5pm Where: First Parish Church, Cambridge, MA Cost: $35
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SBN Welcomes Watertown, Brookline, and Needham to the Local First Family!
Greater Boston is fortunate to have several local business organizations working to build strong local economies. Cambridge, Somerville,Worcester, Concord, Jamaica Plain, and Amesbury have local networks with a combined membership of close to 1000 locally owned businesses! A recent national study of locally owned businesses reported that local businesses sales were up this holiday season and that communities promoting shopping locally experienced even better results. This is further evidence that the Local First campaigns really do make a big difference.
It's a cause for celebration that we're welcoming three new affiliated Local First networks in Watertown, Brookline, and Needham.
Watertown Local First was founded on November 1, 2011--11/1/11! Thanks to SBN Advisory Council member Jonathan Rosenthal for connecting us to local activist Rena Baskin who was the original catalysts for the formation of Watertown Local First. Don Levy of the Deluxe Town Diner is the chair of this new Local First network that is closing in on 40 business members.
Brookline Local First was founded on March 1, 2012 and now has a dynamic Steering Committee led by Co-Chairs Chobee Hoy of Chobee Hoy Associates Real Estate and Dana Brigham of the Brookline Booksmith. Thanks to SBN Board Member Adam Mitchell (and the Clerk of Brookline Local First) and SBN sponsor Harvey Bravman from Advanced Digital Websites for being the catalysts for getting this initiative off the ground.
The Needham Business Association (NBA) founded in 1974, with over 173 members, has done much good work in supporting the Needham community and in promoting the local economy. Walter Collins (owner of Briarwood Healthcare and Rehab) the new president of NBA, reached out to the SBN Executive Director about the Local First movement. At the NBA's March board meeting it was decided that the NBA would dedicate the next year to building a Local First campaign!
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Sustainable Business Leader Program, New Enrollments and Re-certifications
SBN's Sustainable Business Leader Program is excited to welcome the following new participants to it's program: EBI Consulting, Root Capital, Crown Uniform and Linen Service, Forklift Catering and 128 Business Council. These 5 committed businesses and non-profits are already hard at work on greening their operations and practices and being certified as Sustainable Business Leaders.
Certification as a Sustainable Business Leader is valid for a period of two years at which time businesses must undergo a shortened re-certification program to renew and deepen their commitment to environmental sustainability. We are thrilled to announce that the following businesses, from the first pioneering cohort of SBLP graduates, are now in the process of being re-certified: Boston Duck Tours, Boston Organics, Cambridge Brewing Company, Dancing Deer Baking Company, Katsiroubas Bros., The Longfellow Clubs, OMBE Center, Stone Hearth Pizza Co., Taza Chocolate and Ula Cafe. Let's give them a big round of applause for their ongoing commitment!
The SBLP is currently recruiting businesses in Worcester and the Greater Boston area. If you know of a local business that you would like to see become 'greener', or a green business that should be formally recognized for their sustainability efforts , please send us an email at [email protected]
We woul dn't be able to do the work that we do everyday without the help of our awesome interns. For a list of internship opportunities at SBLP please visit:
For more information on the SBLP please visit: www.sustainablebusinessleader.org
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List your business in SBN's Local Green Guide
If you haven't already, make sure you check out SBN's all new Local Green Guide, Massachusetts' premier Green Business Directory!
Visit: http://www.localgreenguide.org
To find out how your business can be listed on the website or for sponsorship opportunities please contact Adritha at [email protected]
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 SBN's 13th ALLocal Dinner: Local 149
Monday, March 26, 6 - 8:30pm
Join us for an exciting ALLocal Dinner, at South Boston's hip new haunt Local 149!
With a year round moto of "by the neighborhood for the neighborhood" guiding the restaurants regular menu, Local 149 will take the ALLocal Dinner to new heights with an array of unique treats. The evening will start with Local 149's resident Mixologist, who will feature craft cocktails infused with Eva's Garden herbs of Dartmouth, MA,
accompanied by fresh Island Creek Oysters of Duxbury, MA, shucked by the famous "Oyster Dude"C.J with varied accoutrements. Chef Leah and her team will spoil us with an eclectic local menu featuring short ribs from Second Chance Farm/Longfellow Creamery in Avon, ME, or a vegetarian option sourced from Eva's Garden and local farms.
Get your tickets today and come join us for a fun evening of fabulous local food!
When: Monday, March 26, 6-8:30pm
Where: Local 149, 149 P Street, South Boston, MA 02127
Cost: $55
Registration: http://bostonlocalfood.com/allocal-dinners/upcoming-dinners/
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 An Evening of Wine & Chocolate at Blue Tierra Chocolate Cafe
Wednesday, May 9th, 2012, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Join us for an evening of melt in your mouth chocolates, local spirits and great company! Certified Sustainable Business Leader, Blue Tierra Chocolate Cafe will host an Evening of Wine and Chocolate. Come sample some fabulous sweet treats paired with local wine and beer. This quaint and eclectic cafe specializes in handcrafted chocolates, dessert, and pastries. Their globally inspired line of truffles infused with spices and flavors from around the world will cater to all of your sweet tooth cravings.
Save the date and stay tuned for more information.
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SBN's Hyper-Local Craft Brew Tasting
Saturday, June 16th, 3pm - 10pm
 Following the success of The Local Craft Brew Tasting component of the Boston Local Food Festival, SBN realized the growing interest and importance of local craft brews. SBN's Hyper-Local Craft Brew Tasting plans to reach aspiring and established brewers as well as lovers of craft brew. The brewfest will feature local craft brewers and highlight, promote and celebrate brews that are made with as many local crops and local ingredients as possible. Come try local brews such as beer, wine, mead, and cider, made with locally sourced ingredients, including hops, barley, wheat, fruit and many other local items used for flavoring- herbs, teas, flowers, coffees, chocolates, honey and more. Local food can be purchased for $5.00 and less. We hope you join us for this local lovefest of all things good and local!
When: 3pm - 10pm, Saturday, June 16th, 2012
Where: The Armory, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville
Cost: $30 per person, per session. Tickets to be released Friday, March 16th.
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| SBN Sustainability Leadership Summit
8:30am - 5:00pm, Thursday, June 7th, 2012, Ryan Hall, UMass Boston
This year SBN's 23rd annual conference on Sustainable Business will be transformed in to the SBN Sustainability Leadership Summit.
New England's most successful entrepreneurs, community organizers, local funders, nonprofit leaders, and academics will come together to Create new innovations and solutions, weave networks, and build partnerships that build strong local economies!
The SBN Sustainability Leadership Summit is by invitation only, SBN members will receive an email invitation shortly. To see a list of entrepreneurs already signed up to be there and for more event details please visit:
http://sbnboston.org/events/the-sbn-sustainability-leadership-summit/
 For sponsorship opportunities please contact Adritha at [email protected]
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Cambridge "Local Thirst" 
Wednesday. March 28th, 2012, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Join Cambridge Local First for the March "Local Thirst" event at the hip new Area Four Restaurant in Kendall Square. Cambridge Local First is partnering with the Green Streets Initiative and the Cambridge Energy Alliance for a night of networking and trivia.
Come prepared on your trivia knowledge for all things energy, health, and community! Area Four will be donating pizzas for this exciting event.
Where: Area Four, 500 Technology Square, Cmabridge
When: 6:30-8:30pm
Cost: Free
For more information email Cambridge Local First.
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From Mission to Market: A Conference on Fund ing Social Impact in the New Economy
Monday, April 2nd, 2012, 9am - 4pm
This full-day conference will engage social change agents from diverse sectors and disciplines in thoughtful conversations about funding social impact in the new economy. Panelists will examine a variety of models from innovative grant making and social justice philanthropy to market-oriented solutions including domestic microfinance, social enterprise, and social impact bonds.
Nonprofit leaders, funders, social entrepreneurs, researchers, faculty, students, and others who share an interest in investing or securing resources for social impact are encouraged to attend.
Where: Curry Student Center, Northeastern University
When: Monday, April 2nd, 2012, 9am - 4pm
Cost: Registration for this event is free of charge and includes a continental breakfast
For more information and to register, please visit:
http://nuweb6.neu.edu/ns4g/philanthropy-conference/
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3rd Annual Sustainable Economy Conference
Monday, April 30th, 2012, 8:15am - 4:30pm
The 3rd Annual Sustainable Economy Conference brings together the government, business, academic, nonprofit and community sectors for the purpose of creating sustainable communities and a sustainable economy in Massachusetts. It is designed to foster the development of new networks and business relationships. With the aim to advance the knowledge, perspective and networks of all sector leaders and others working to create a sustainable economy, improve economic recovery and growth, reduce operation costs, drive job creation, build sustainable communities and expand the green economy in Massachusetts.
When: Monday, April 30th, 8:15am - 4:30pm
Where: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Cost: Complimentary passes available to SBN Members. Enter code SECSBN during registration.
For more information and to register, please visit: http://sustainableeconomyconference.com/
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Upcoming Events that Build a Sustainable Economy 
Save the dates for the following SBN and SBN Supported events, and find out more information by visiting our website www.sbnboston.org
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