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SBN Newsletter
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April, 2012
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Dear SBN Members and Friends,
Wow! By reading this newsletter you can see that the movement committed to building a strong sustainable economy is making great strides. SBN and our friends and allies are making a big impact in several areas and we couldn't be more excited.
The First SBN Sustainability Leadership Summit will be a breakthrough event for our movement! This Summit has the intentional focus of creating new initiatives that will help grow a strong sustainable economy. This action-orientation together with our exceptional lineup of speakers has generated great enthusiasm with over 60 local economy leaders already registered. Don't miss out on this invitation-only event. Save money by registering by the early bird discount deadline of May 1.
I also want to encourage you to attend the Spring Gathering of the New England Local Business Forum in Harvard Square on May 4. Local business leaders from over 20 communities throughout New England and all six states will be present.
Thanks for all you do to help grow a strong economy that is local, green, and fair.
Laury Hammel
Executive Director, SBN
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NELBF: Spring Gathering
Friday, May 4th, 9am - 5pm, First Parish Church, Cambridge
 Michael Shuman, a noted economist and author in the Local Economies movement, will be delivering the Keynote address at the next New England Local Business Forum (NELBF) Gathering, Spring Forward Toward Local Economies. Michael will be speaking about the power of community capital and local investing, the topic of his latest book Local Dollars, Local Sense.
Michael is a dynamic speaker and a key figure in our work to build strong local economies. We will be attending the event, co-sponsored by the New England Independent Booksellers Association, and hope that you will too!
Space is limited and filling up fast, so if you'd like to attend, click here to register today!
When: Friday, May 4th, 9am - 5pm
Where: First Parish Church, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $35
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Just Released - Vendor Applications for SBN's 3rd Annual Boston Local Food Festival!
 SBN invites its members to participate in the 3rd annual Boston Local Food Festival on Sunday October 7, 2012, to be held at the Rose Kennedy Greenway! Both the 2010 and 2011 festivals were a huge success boasting over 30,000 participants each year in celebration of "Healthy Local Food for All"! In our new location in the heart of Downtown Boston, we anticipate this year's turnout to be greater, requiring an excellent line up of vendors. Restaurants, cafes, farmers, specialty food producers and retailers, food trucks, non-profits and more are invited to show-case their goods and services.
Reach 40,000-50,000 supportive customers in the Greater Boston community and throughout the New England area, apply to be a vendor today! 
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SBLP Certifies its 100th Sustainable Business Leader!
On April 18, 2012 SBN's Sustainable Business Leader Program announced the
certification of its 100th Sustainable Business Leader! SBN Member Spencer OrganCompany in Waltham, MA had the pleasure of receiving this special designation.
 | | Spencer Organ Company, 100th Certified Sustainable Business Leader |
Launched in 2008 in partnership with the Boston Redevelopment Authority with
support from the MA Department of Environmental Protection, the Sustainable
Business Leader Program (SBLP) is a hands-on technical assistance and certification
program for locally owned and independent businesses, non-profits and community
groups looking to "green" their operations and practices, reduce their carbon
footprint, and save money.
With the participation and dedication of its program participants the SBLP has
collectively reduced over 2 million pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,
diverted tens of thousands of pounds of waste from landfills to recycling, compost,
and reuse facilities, and conserved hundreds of thousands of gallons of water. Each
participating business takes on an average of 30 sustainability action items covering
SBLP's 7 core categories: energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management,
transportation, pollution prevention & safe alternatives, local purchasing & local
food, and sustainability management.
SBN wants  to extend a big thank you to each of its 100 Certified Sustainable Business Leaders for their hard work and deep and ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability. To learn about our 100 Certified Sustainable Business Leaders please visit the SBLP website at: www.sustainablebusinessleader.org.
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Southie's Local 149 Hosts SBN's 13th Annual ALLocal Dinner
 | Fresh and delicious Island Creek Oysters, apple cider and juniper berry-mignonette greenhouse tomato cocktail fresco and micro wasabi sprouts.
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The SBN's Boston Local Food Program hosted its 13th ALLocal Dinner at Local 149 in "Southie" on March 26th, 2012. The ALLocal Dinners feature locally sourced food-from the protein to the salt-served by locally owned restaurants.
Massachusetts and its bordering states have a vibrant and sustainable local food system, and one of the Program's goals is to encourage diverse restaurants in Greater Boston to include more local food on their menus. Local 149's regular menu features fresh ingredients from local purveyors and producers, and Chef Leah Dubois presented an authentically ALLocal, 3-course menu for the guests.
 | | Delectable free range short ribs, corn whiskey and honey glaze, smash white potatoes and sunchokes with Vermont butter |
The delicious three course meal included the following local sources: Longfellow Creamery/Second Chance Farm - Avon, ME; Westfield Farm - MA. Eva's Garden - South Dartmouth, MA, Thatcher Farm - Milton, MA, Vermont Butter and Creamery. Sunrise Orchards - VT and Boston Honey Company - Holliston, MA. Keeping in the spirit, guests enjoyed local spirits from Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery, Still River Winery, and Berkshire Mountain Distillers.
SBN's ALLocal Dinners feature great food & drink with a great community, proceeds support the Boston Local Food Program, which works towards its mission of healthy local food for all.
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SBN Sustainability Leadership Summit
8:30am - 5:00pm, Thursday, June 7th, 2012, Ryan Hall, UMass Boston
SBN is thrilled to announce the extensive lineup of speakers for this years 23rd Annual conference on sustainable business.
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 summit will feature the following keynote speakers:
Other confirmed speakers include:
- Lynn Benander, President & CEO, Co-op Power
- Joe Grafton, Executive Director, Somerville Local First
- Laury Hammel, Executive Director, SBN
- JD Kemp, President, FoodEx
- Susan Labandibar, CEO, Tech Networks of Boston
- Glynn Lloyd, Founder & CEO, City Fresh Foods
- Jeff Rosen, Chief Financial Officer, Solidago Foundation
- Ted Rouse, Founder, Real Food Farm
- Mordie Weintraub, President, Tel-Affinity Corp.
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 adritha@sbnboston.org
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| Somerville Local First Celebrates 4 year Anniversary!
Tuesday, May 8, 5:30-7:30PM, Johnny D's
 Local lovers - join SLF to celebrate longer days and warmer weather at their 4 year anniversary tasty spring fundraiser!
Hosted by Johnny D's from 5:30-7:30pm on Tuesday, May 8, this year's event will feature tastes from the latest star on the Somerville craftbrewing scene, Slumbrew.
Network with business owners and local-loving residents from across Somerville while sampling a range of Slumbrew drafts and nibbling on tasty treats from Johnny D's.
What: Somerville Local First Spring Has Sprung Network Party
When: Tuesday, May 8th, 5:30 - 7:30PMPrice: Early bird tickets - $20 (limited number), Regular Tickets - $25
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An Evening of Wine & Chocolate at Blue Tierra Cafe
Wednesday, May 9th, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Certified Sustainable Business Leader, Blue Tierra Chocolate Cafe will host an Evening of Wine and Chocolate on May 9th, 2012. Join SBN for an evening of delectable chocolate, local spirits, and great company!
 Come sample some fabulous sweet treats paired with local spirits while you hobnob with fellow chocophiles. This quaint and eclectic cafe is know for its handcrafted chocolates, desserts, and pastries. Their line of truffles inspired by spices and flavors from around the globe will satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth and leave you wanting more.
Included in your ticket are a choice of two chocolates, local wine, and finger foods.
When: Wednesday, May 9th from 6:30 - 8:30pm Where: Blue Tierra Chocolate Cafe, 258 West Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127 Price: $20 ( 2 chocolates + wine + snacks). Space is limited, click here to get your ticket today!
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Cambridge Local First Business Improvement Seminar:
Using Social Media to Grow Your Business
Thursday, May 10, 2012, 8:30am to noon
SBN Members are invited to Cambridge Local First's Business Improvement Seminar on Using Social Media to Grow Your Business. CLF will be bring together local social media experts to talk about their challenges and successes on a panel for the next business improvement seminar sponsored by Cambridge Trust Company.
Through an interactive approach, the seminar will teach practical and specific ways to make web-based marketing and social media work for your business. No matter what level of success you're having in social media, there is room for growth, and in this seminar you will learn how to develop and execute a successful social media strategy.
 When: Thursday, May 10, 2012 from 8:30 am to noon.
Where: Cambridge Innovation Center, 1 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142
Cost: $45 and includes continental breakfast
Registration: http://cambridgelocalfirst.org/2012/04/using-social-media-to-grow-your-business-business-improvement-seminar/
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| Hyper Local Craft Brew Tasting: Special Offer for SBN Members
Saturday, June 16th, 2012, 3pm to 10pm
More than 20 craft Brewers and Vintners, local food producers, some of Boston's
best local bands and hundreds of New England brew fans will gather at The
Armory for SBN's Hyper-Local Craft Brew Tasting on Saturday, June 16, 2012. The
Brewfest is promoting local craft beer, wine, mead and cider and highlights
product made with local ingredients. The local lovefest is a must-attend event in
this summer season for serious foodies, nano-brewers, craft brew enthusiasts,
and localvores. It will be the first time local Breweries such CBC, Mystic, Notch,
Peak Organic, Slumbrew, Rapscallion, and many more get together to present
their best collections of brews featuring local ingredients. Another first will be the
opportunity to purchase fine bottled wine from local wineries.
Hyper-Local Craft Brewfest will raise funds to support Sustainable Business Network's (SBN) Boston Local Food Program including Boston Local Food Festival!
Admission is $30, which gets you tastings of all the beverages over a 3-hour
period. Delicious brew-inspired local eats will be available for purchase for $5 or
less.
SBN is offering $5 OFF each ticket through May 1st.
Use promo code: SBNAPRIL5 when you buy your tickets online at: http://hyperlocalbrew.eventbrite.com/.
This is a limited offer and we encourage you spread the word, count your friends in and get your tickets now!
Date: Saturday, June 16th, 2012
Time: 3PM-6PM, Session 1; 7PM -10PM, Session 2
Where: The Armory, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville
Cost: $30 per person, per session
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 Local First Updates: The Local First movement in Greater Boston is growing in strength and numbers, Local First networks in Cambridge, Somerville, and Worcester continue to develop innovative programs that have attracted national attention. In the past six months three other Local First networks in greater Boston have emerged who are in the early stages of getting organized and who are all currently in the throes of agreeing on a logo for their campaign. Here's a brief update:
- Watertown Local First has developed a strong Steering Committee, an excellent website, and has nearly 40 business members including two Sponsoring Members--Watertown Savings Bank and the Deluxe Town Diner. The Chair of Watertown Local First is Don Levy of the Deluxe Town Diner.
- Brookline Local First has been percolating for many years and in the last few months a group of well-known Brookline business leaders have coalesced to form a strong and vibrant Steering Committee. Chobee Hoy, of Chobee Hoy Associates, and Dana Brigham of the Brookline Booksmith are serving as Co-Chairs of Brookline Local First.
- Recently the Needham Business Association and two other Needham business groups representing a combined total of nearly 200 locally-owned businesses have agreed to work together to build a Needham Local First campaign.
Representatives of all three of these groups will be present at the NELBF Gathering on May 4, and we'll keep you posted as these three new initiatives develop their respective Local First campaigns.
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SBN's Green Tip of the Month:
What's with all the plastic bags?
Every year, Americans reportedly throw away 100 billion plastic grocery bags, which can clog drains, crowd landfills, find their way into our water bodies, and leave an unsightly blot on the landscape.
Paper shopping bags may seem like they're one of the greenest ways to shop but in reality they aren't. Yes, they are biodegradable, but studies show that it takes four times MORE energy to manufacture paper bags than plastic ones.
So the next time you shop bring your own cloth or mesh shopping tote with you. As a bonus many stores now offer discounts when you bring your own bag.
To get your hands on these nifty SBN- Boston Local Food Festival re-usable bags click here!
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