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SBN Newsletter
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November, 2013
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Dear SBN Members and Friends,
We all love New England! If we don't like the weather, we wait a minute or two and bingo it changes! This unpredictability does have its down side, as witnessed by SBN's Fourth Boston Local Food Festival landing on one of the rainiest days this autumn.
But SBN and local food lovers could not be deterred! In spite of the weather, over 10,000 people enjoyed the food and spirit at our fourth Festival. A big thank you to our vendors, staff, attendees, and everyone who helped make the Festival such a big success!
The annual Local Craft BrewFest was unfortunately postponed because of the government shutdown, but that didn't stop SBN. We're rescheduled for THIS Friday! There are still tickets available and we encourage you to join in the fun and bring your friends and family--info is in the article below!
We also want to share some really great news! ThinkLite, an SBN member and Summit Sponsor, has generously offered to re-lamp the SBN office with new tube LED's that will reduce our lighting costs by over 50%! This will save us money, give a better quality light, and reduce carbon!
This newsletter has some informative articles and it's well worth a few minutes of your time to read the good works of SBN and our community. Check it out!
Sustainably yours,
Laury
Laury Hammel
Executive Director, SBN
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Annual Local Craft Brewfest this FRIDAY! Buy your tickets now!
Join us this Friday from 6-9:30 p.m. at the Moakley Courthouse as we celebrate
local craft brews with hundreds of supporters and dozens of vendors showcasing beers, ciders, distilled spirits and delicious local food!
The Local Craft Brewfest will take place this Friday November 22 from 6-9:30pm at the John J. Moakley Courthouse in Fort Point, Boston! SBN's annual Local Craft Brewfest is a celebration of delicious local craft brews and is a major fundraiser for the free, annual Boston Local Food Festival.
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Buy your tickets now!
* Reminder: Tickets will not be available at the door! *
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This year's Local Craft Brewfest features 50+ craft beer tastings plus 20+ tastings from
local distilleries, including Battle Road Brewing, Watch City Brewing, Peak Organic, Bully Boy Distilleries, Turkey Shore Distilleries, Bantam Cider as well as local bites from the coolest local food producers in town such as Q's Nuts, Taza Chocolate, Cape Cod Fish Share, Vermont Smoke and Cure and much more.
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Member Appreciation B2B Networking Meeting TONIGHT at 6PM!
 TONIGHT from 6-8:30 p.m., join us for a special Member Appreciation B2B Networking Meeting at Workbar in Central Square, where SBN Members, Local First Affiliates and Workbar Members can attend for FREE! Non-Members benefit, too-- join us for a reduced rate of only $10!
Please RSVP now to reserve your seat, as space is limited!
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Registration
To register please use the PayPal links below. Limited space available.
If you prefer to pay by cash or check at the door please e-mail
taryn@sbnmass.org to secure your space!
Members: FREE! Please RSVP now to reserve your seat!
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Details
Location
45 Prospect St.
Central Square
Cambridge, MA
02139
Time
Tonight!
November 19th
6:00-8:30 p.m.
Refreshments
Light snacks and refreshments for
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Whether this is your first time joining us, or you've been a loyal B2B Group Participant since the start, we encourage you to come for a fun night of casual networking with like-minded business leaders.
We appreciate your support of SBN's newest program and hope to continue this success well into 2014!
Thank you to our sponsors:
The event is generously hosted by Workbar, a network of shared co-working office spaces made up of start-ups, creative entrepreneurs,
independent professionals and enterprise
 teams.
Refreshments will be sponsored by New Leaf Legal, a flat fee firm that provides corporate and IP services to emerging and small businesses and artists located in the heart of Central Square. |
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Tickets on Sale Now: SBN's 12th Annual WBUR Holiday Fundraiser!
In 2013, we'll be celebrating the thrill & chill of Winter Solstice with delicious local food and beverages, and our traditional live & silent auctions (including NEW big ticket items)!
In addition, we'll be hosting the annual WBUR
interview with award- winning journalist Robin Young! Robin will be interviewing her new co-host, Jeremy Hobson.
Here & Now has been hosted by Robin Young for more than a decade and recently expanded to two hours in partnership with NPR. Today, the show reaches an estimated 3.1 million weekly listeners on 325 stations across the country.
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Wednesday
December 18, 2013
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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890 Commonwealth Avenue
Third Floor
Boston, MA, 02215
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We can't wait to host you for another exciting fundraising event!
If you are interested in donating an item to our Live or Silent Auction, please contact Sarah for additional details!
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MA Vote to Increase Minimum Wage
The MA Senate will vote on a bill today to increase the minimum wage in Massachusetts, and we want to make aware of this important issue.
"A recent national poll shows that 67 percent of small business owners support increasing the federal minimum wage and adjusting it yearly to keep pace with the cost of living.The most rigorous studies of the impact of actual minimum wage increases show they do not cause job loss - whether during periods of economic growth or during recessions.* The minimum wage would be $10.75 today if it had kept up with the rising cost of living since the 1960s instead of falling behind.
We support gradually raising the Massachusetts minimum wage over three years to $11 by 2016 - and then adjusting it annually for inflation to keep up with the cost of living. A fair minimum wage makes good sense for our businesses, our workforce and our state." -- See Full Text of Massachusetts Business for a Fair Minimum Wage statement. This effort is sponsored by Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, a national network of business owners and executives who believe a fair minimum wage makes good business sense. Business leaders can click here to sign the statement: http://www.businessforafairminimumwage.org/Massachusetts-Minimum-Wage-Statement. For more information, or to volunteer to speak to the media, contact Bob Keener, 617-610-6766, bob@businessforafairminimumwage.org www.businessforafairminimumwage.org |
SBN Member Spotlight: Cambridge Brewing Co.
Interview with Phil Bannatyne
Owner, Cambridge Brewing Co
The Cambridge Brewing Company is a local, green brewery restaurant located at 1 Kendall Square in Cambridge. Since 1989, CBC has featured a menu of responsibly raised meats, sustainable seafood, and local organic produce to accompany its creative, always-changing beer list.
Check them out at http://www.cambrew.com!
Why did you join SBN?
I believe in the mission of the SBN and its desire to help businesses conduct their operations in a more environmentally friendly way. Small businesses in particular may not have the time or resources to fully evaluate their current processes and research more sustainable alternatives.
What attracted you to Sustainable Business Leader Program (SBLP)?
I wanted a partner to help me evaluate my operations who had expertise in sustainability. I knew they would see opportunities that I had not. The SBLP program recommends products and vendors to facilitate the desired change. Additionally, when implementing changes may not be at the top of a large to do list, the nudge SBLP provides is a welcomed reminder.
Why do you feel sustainability is an important part of business?
I feel it is our responsibility as business owners to conduct our operations with the least amount of negative environmental impact. We are seeing the effects of non-sustainable business practices play out in any number of ways, global warming being prime among them. Sustainability and a local focus are good for the environment but are also good for business. Our focus on sustainability attracts customers who share our values.
How does sustainability play out in the
 restaurant/brewery business?We strive for zero waste so we recycle and compost just about everything that ends up in our waste stream. Our spent grain from the brewing process is used as animal feed by local farmers. All of our lighting is LED and the brewing process contributes to our heating needs in the winter. We buy from local farmers and fisherman whenever possible, and our cleaning supplies are non-toxic. We conserve and re-use water from the brewing process and we encourage our staff to bike to work! What does Cambridge Brewing Company specifically do to contribute to the local green economy? We purchase as much of our supplies from local purveyors as possible. We buy a portion of our brewing grains from Mass. growers, as well as fruits, vegetables meats and seafood from Mass. producers. We support local business associations and campaigns to get people to think local when purchasing goods and services. What are some challenges you face in doing so? The cost of local, small producer ingredients are almost always higher than their mass produced alternatives. Only so much of that cost can be passed on to the customers who have so many options when deciding where to go out for a meal. New England winters make local sourcing of produce especially challenging. Any last comments? Keep up the good work SBN!
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SBN New & Returning Member Announcement 
SBN's network is growing in leaps and bounds! A big welcome to our newest SBN Members:
Sustainable Fashion Collaborative of Boston: a community of designers, retailers, consumers and thought-leaders that aims to initiate the conversation about ethical fashion and what it means to be a socially-responsible brand, as well as a conscious consumer.
Olympia Moving and Storage: Olympia Moving is committed to "getting it right" for families moving to, from, and within the Greater Boston area and provide trusted service for some of the biggest universities, law firms, military and government organizations, sports franchises and real estate organizations in the Boston market.
Food for Free: Bridging the gap between waste and want, Food For Free rescues fresh food that might otherwise go to waste and distributes it within the local emergency food system where it can reach those in need. Through food rescue, farming and transportation services, they give food programs year-round access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and deliver food directly to isolated seniors and people with disabilities.
Welcome back to renewing SBN Members:
Spencer Organ Company, Inc.: Spencer Organ Company of Waltham, Massachusetts was formed in 1995 to specialize in restoring electro-pneumatic pipe organs and components. Gradually the business has expanded to include many makes of organs as well as a growing outsource clientele.
Forklift Catering: Forklift Catering is a chef-owned and operated catering company based in Somerville, Massachusetts. Forklift's commitment to sustainability can be found in their everyday practices, and is a very low-waste operation.
Thank you all for your partnership and commitment to building a Massachusetts economy that is Local, Green and Fair!
Remember: Think Members First!
What better way to support the local economy and each other than to support SBN members who share your values and commitment to the principals of Local, Green and Fair. SBN is working on new programs to encourage and support greater B2B exchange within the network. Stay tuned for ways to get engaged!
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SBN's Green Tip: 7 Tips for Celebrating Sustainably All Season Long!
During the holiday season, Americans throw away an additional 5 million tons of trash-- 25% more than usual, between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve! Here, we outline some our favorite tips for avoiding waste and celebrating locally this season.
Did you know? 
- If every family reused just 2 feet of holiday ribbon, the 38,000 miles of ribbon saved could tie a bow around the entire planet!
- According to one U.S. Department of Energy study, if everyone replaced their conventional holiday light strings with LEDs, at least two billion kilowatt-hours of electricity could be saved in a month. This would be enough to power 200,000 homes -- for a year!
- The 2.65 billion Christmas cards sold every year in the US could fill a football field ten stories high! If all of us sent one card less, we could save 50,000 cubic yards of paper.
- If every American family wrapped just 3 presents in re-used materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.
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The holidays are notorious for waste-- gift wrapping, feasting, travel and decorations can add up! Read our suggestions, then e-mail us at info@sbnmass.org with your sustainable holiday tips-- we'll post them on SBN's Facebook through December!
#1 Purchase your holiday meal from local farms: Turkeys, ham, fish and produce can all be purchased sustainably during the winter season! Check out some of these vendors selling delicious, locally-sourced products:
Stillman's Farm at the Turkey Farm
561 Thresher Rd.
Hardwick, MA 01031
John Crow Farm
133 Old Ayer Road
Groton, MA 01450
Local Harvest: Use this site to find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area!
City Feed and Supply: A neighborhood grocery/café/deli that supplies local produce, goods, groceries, prepared foods and catering! Pre-order your holiday food now, including turkeys, pies and more.
Also, avoid disposable products when entertaining guests. If you have to use disposable plates and napkins, consider products that are compostable or are made from recycled materials.
#2 Ditch Black Friday and celebrate Plaid Friday, instead! Plaid Friday came from the idea of weaving the individual threads of small businesses together to create a strong fabric that celebrates the diversity and creativity of independent businesses. It's a fun & enjoyable alternative to the big box store Black Friday, and is designed promote both local and independently owned businesses during the holidays.
#3 Gift Green. Choose durable, long-lasting items made with earth-friendly materials that are energy-efficient, and have minimal packaging. Best of all is to give the gift of experience, i.e. items that don't cause any waste at all! Consider things like concert tickets, dinner, homemade gifts, or items that get used up like food, candles, soap, etc.
#4 Use Energy-Saving LED Holiday Lights: Love to deck the halls with lights? Look for lights made with LEDs, which are 90 percent more efficient than traditional lights, and can save your family up to $50 on your energy bills during the holiday season.
#5 Make Your Own Decorations: Make eco-friendly decorations such as strung popcorn, decorations made of pine cones, homemade candles, and wreaths made from evergreens and other natural materials. Another option? Invite your guests to bring items from their home to decorate the party with! It will create an interactive and eclectic holiday atmosphere.
#6 Use Wrapping Paper That Can be Recycled or Reused: Most mass-produced wrapping paper is not recyclable and ends up in landfills. Instead, wrap presents with old maps, the comics section of a newspaper, or children's artwork.
#7 Try a Potted or Pesticide-Free Tree: Demand is on the rise for potted Christmas trees that can be planted after the holidays and Christmas trees that are not covered in chemicals; some growers use 40 different pesticides, as well as chemical colorants. And make sure to recycle your tree when the holidays are over.
Want more ideas? Check these helpful holiday tips to keep you green all season long!
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 Save the Date for SBN's Upcoming Events!
Check out our Event Calendar for more event information & ticket purchases! Contact Taryn Johnson at Taryn@sbnmass.org to RSVP!
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