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SBN Newsletter
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February, 2014
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Dear SBN Members and Friends,
As you can see by this newsletter, the perpetual snowing in Boston has not slowed down the work of SBN! If your business buys or sells local food, we suggest you attend our 3rd Local Food Trade Show at Northeastern University on March 4. This terrific event is just another way SBN is working to transform the local food system in Massachusetts and New England.
The second article announces a new partnership with SBN member, ThinkLite. We believe ThinkLite's innovative lighting products will dramatically decrease the carbon that Massachusetts businesses will send into the atmosphere--their Tube LEDs decrease energy consumption (compared to Florescent bulbs) by over 50 percent! This is a huge opportunity for SBN members and friends to decrease carbon emissions, help businesses save money, and build a strong green economy!
Please also take a good look at the results of SBN's first survey of members focusing on public policy issues. The SBN Board is committed to selecting certain key issues that the SBN membership can rally around as we look to leverage our network at every opportunity to build a strong economy that is local, green, and fair.
We hope you're as inspired as we are by the progress that SBN and our allies are making on several fronts while we move forward towards accomplishing our mission.
Sustainably yours,
Laury Hammel
Executive Director, SBN
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Less Than Two Weeks Until Local Food Trade Show 2014!
-Vendor Registration is Now Closed-
When: March 4, 2014 Time: 8:30AM - 1:30PM Where: Northeastern University at the Curry Student Center 346 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115 Cost: $25.00 for Buyers & General Attendees REGISTER HERE! Registration is still open for buyers and general attendees! This event will feature open floor trading between wholesale buyers and producers of local food from MA and New England, as well as seminars addressing common barriers to trading. Please check out our webpage for the application and more Trade Show details.
The 2014 Local Food Trade Show will attract: - Massachusetts and New England-based specialty and non-specialty crop growers, fishermen, and value-added producers who are looking to connect to interested wholesale buyers
- Massachusetts and New England-based buyers, including college and healthcare institutions, restaurants, retail grocers and more
- Other organizations that support or do business with food growers, producers or buyers
Event Itinerary: - 7:30am - 9:45am Set-up for Exhibitors
- 7:30am - 8:30am Registration
- 8:30am - 9:45am Seminar #1 (Buyer Seminar)
- 9:45am - 12:00pm Open Floor Trading
- 12:15pm - 1:30pm Seminar #2 (Producer Seminar)
*Optional lunch can be pre-ordered for $11.00 and will be available to pick up from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Sponsorship Opportunities: We are currently seeking sponsors for this year's Local Food Trade Show. If you would like to maximize your visibility and presence with businesses who are interested in trading and sales of local food, please contact Sarah at sarah.lambertson@sbnmass.org or (617) 395-0250 to learn more! The 2014 Local Food Trade Show is produced by the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts' Boston Local Food Program. This event is made possible in part by Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and Northeastern University. Trade Show partners include Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance and Health Care Without Harm. Thank you to our generous event sponsors: 
  
  We appreciate the support from our partners!  
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Buy Tickets Now! Spring Equinox Tasting Event on 3/20
with Taza Chocolate, Chive Catering, Cape Cod Beer & more!
When: Thursday, March 20, 2014
Where: Taza Chocolate Factory Store
561 Windsor Street
Somerville, MA 02143
Cost: $45.00 // $40 for SBN Members!
What: Chocolate, Beer & Gourmet Local Food
On Thursday, March 20th from 7-9 PM, join SBN, Taza Chocolate, Chive Catering and Cape Cod Beer for the first ever Spring Equinox Tasting Event! We invite you to wash away the winter blues in chocolaty delight as you sip local craft beer, sample gourmet appetizers and fresh Taza chocolate, and socialize inside the Taza Chocolate Factory Store!
This delicious event will not only raise funds for SBN's programs and kick off the spring season, but it will also highlight a few budding local producers at a casual after-work tasting of gourmet treats and craft beer...with plenty of Taza Chocolate, of course!
For a short time, registration is now open to SBN Members ONLY! As an SBN Member, you not only hear it first, but you will also receive a $5 discount, while tickets last. Don't delay, as tickets will sell-out fast! Check out Chive's incredible locally sourced menu below, along will everything your ticket includes.
Limited space available. If you prefer to pay by cash or check, please contact taryn@sbnmass.org for payment information and to reserve your place!
This event is generously sponsored by:    |
SBN Begins New Partnership with ThinkLite, LLC  The Sustainable Business Network has begun a new partnership with SBN member, ThinkLite LLC to bring ThinkLite LED Tube Lights to Massachusetts businesses!
We believe ThinkLite's innovative lighting products will dramatically decrease the carbon that Massachusetts businesses send into the atmosphere--their Tube LEDs decrease energy consumption (compared to Florescent bulbs) by over 50 percent. This is a huge opportunity for SBN members and friends to decrease carbon emissions, help businesses save money, and build a strong green economy! to bring ThinkLite LED Tubes to Massachusetts businesses!
ThinkLite's technology conveniently allows for existing fixtures to remain in place, while simply swapping out the existing tubes in order to reduce energy consumption by 55 percent!
The installation of these LED tubes offer the following benefits:
- Easy and inexpensive installation of the lamps since it is a one-for-one retrofit. The core competency in the ThinkLite Technology is the ability to bring to market an LED tube that replicates the brightness of an existing fluorescent tube, while using the existing fixture in place.
- Consistent bright lighting with less than 5% loss in the quality, brightness and color of light over the next 20 years.
- No need to change tube LED's for over 20 years, whereas fluorescent lamps generally lose 40% of their brightness and color within the first year of use.
- A better quality of full-spectrum light, rendering clearer and sharper light.
- A 55% reduction in energy use and expenses!
SBN is thrilled to be providing the opportunity for a higher quality light in a more energy efficient manner. ThinkLite's hope is that within the next few years, they will be replacing most tube fluorescent bulbs in the country, and will be reducing the carbon emitted by the US by millions of tons a year!
ThinkLite recently signed a $200,000 contract (half of which was covered by Mass Save) with The Longfellow Clubs to replace over 3,000 tube fluorescents with Thinklite Tube LED's. As of last week, five of the Longfellow indoor tennis courts were converted and they have received rave reviews. This Tube LED installation is the first at a sports facility in the nation!
About ThinkLite
ThinkLite is a global lighting efficiency company that custom designs, manufactures, distributes, and installs energy efficient retrofit solutions to commercial customers and governments. The Company's efficient lighting products leverages proprietary LED and Induction technologies that specifically adapt to existing infrastructures.
ThinkLite is the company that worked with SBN Executive Director, Laury Hammel, to develop the HammeLite in 2009. The HammeLite is the system that The Longfellow Clubs uses in both its tennis bubbles and also in several facilities across the US.
Questions? Contact Laury Hammel at lfhammel@gmail.com, or Dinesh Wadhwani at dinesh@thinklite.com.
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Welcome to our new Sponsoring Member: Al Nierenberg, Evergreen Consulting & Training! 
For the past 30 years, Al Nierenberg, Founder of Evergreen Consulting & Training, has worked extensively with not-for-profits, for-profits and government agencies as a guide for organizations on the path to sustainability. By facilitating organizational change for sustainable competitive advantage, Al coaches leaders to develop their vision and craft a pathway to action that engages, motivates and builds skills in their teams. Al's view on sustainability is simple-it means living in such a way that current generations don't limit future generations. To do this, however, organizations must go through major changes. Using his expertise in organizational development, Al aims to help organizations navigate the changes necessary to be more sustainable. When Al joined the board, the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts (SBN) was just a local chapter of Businesses for Social Responsibility (BSR). They broke away to focus on small businesses, and the group became the Responsible Business Alliance. On top of being "responsible," Al wanted the organization to focus on sustainability, and the name changed again. The process of transitioning SBN towards sustainability has been inspiring for Al to lead. |
"I'm excited to facilitate change within SBN, while also working with their network to find other organizations excited about tackling these crucial issues," Al said.
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After playing an instrumental role in the development and history of the organization, Al now serves as the Chair of SBN's Advisory Council. Al believes that the SBN Advisory Council is a great opportunity to address more strategic issues and challenges with an influential group of leaders, and sees it as a huge leverage for change because it engages important stakeholders. Al works through the client. What's exciting about the way he works is that-although he goes into the organization himself, it's the client that makes the change happen. The legacy that Al is building is helping to transform organizations, not only for the benefit of that organization, but also for the planet. Interested in learning more about Al and Evergreen Consulting? Go to http://evergreenconsulting.us and send him a message! |
Register Early: Third Annual Sustainability Leadership Summit and 25th Sustainable Business Conference on May 15, 2014
The 2014 Summit will explore
sustainability through the lens of entrepreneurship and collaboration! Our theme this year is Sustainable
Entrepreneurs Take the Lead: Examples of Partnerships & Collaborations that Build a Strong Local Economy!
The day will bring together many of New England's most successful entrepreneurs, community leaders, business owners and academics to develop new partnerships and action plans to build the local, green, and fair economy of the future. The Summit will feature short inspirational keynote speakers, interactive networking activities, breakout educational sessions, and open space technology programs to generate new action plans for change.
Early Bird Rate Until March 15th: Register early
to take advantage of our discount!
$75 for Members // $95 for Non-Members
New this year! We will also be introducing optional afternoon sessions to continue the conversation. More information will be available in late February.
Questions? Contact SBN at 617-395-0250, or e-mail Taryn at taryn@sbnmass.org. Stay tuned for more exciting details (such as sponsors, speakers and panelists) as they come in...!
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SBN Survey Results on Massachusetts' Raise of the Minimum Wage
In our first survey of SBN's members focusing on public policy issues, we asked how our membership felt in regards to raising the Massachusetts Minimum Wage-- and the role that SBN should play. We have analyzed the results from the recent survey regarding the raise of the MA minimum wage, and the the responses were conclusively in favor of SBN supporting the legislation.
The SBN Board is committed to selecting certain key issues that the SBN membership can rally around as we look to leverage our network at every opportunity to build a strong economy that is local, green, and fair.
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We surveyed a total of 183 people from our 108 member businesses, the above infographc shows our findings.
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SBN's B2B Networking Meeting Updates...
One-Year Anniversary B2B was a huge success!
In January, SBN proudly celebrated the 1-year anniversary of SBN's B2B Networking Group Meeting. After much success of programming for one year, the January B2B had a different setting as a morning meeting for the first time. The theme of the morning meeting was Goal Setting for Small Business, highlighted by presentations from Susan Labandibar of Tech Networks of Boston and Michael Kanter of Cambridge Naturals.
Susan explained her style and constant innovation, and her idea of the "12-Week Year." The point of the 12-Week Year is to try a new idea for two weeks to see how it fairs. If it is successful, the idea should continued; if not, then Susan advised to move onto the next idea.
Michael Kanter shared a similar thought on how he tries his best to "predict the future" to understand where social movements are taking us, and use that foresight to make smart business decisions. Michael also shared Cambridge Natural's Core Values, with making his business a "community" topping the list. Cambridge Naturals, he explained, is a relationship-based business, and is always actively engaged in the community as much as possible.
January's B2B was wildly successful, so be sure to join us for the next B2B Networking Meeting on Monday, March 31st in Central Square, Cambridge!
Next B2B Networking Meeting: How to Make "Local" a Competitive Advantage!
Join Cambridge Local First's Executive Director, Jaclyn Sinay, Abe Faber, Owner of Clear Flour Bakery in Brookline, and many other local leaders as we discover how to use "Local" to our competitive advantage!
When: Monday, March 31st, 2014
Time: 6-8:30 PM
Where: Workbar, Central Square
Cambridge, MA 02139
Registration:
$10 Members: Buy now!
$20 Non-Members: Buy now!
To register please use the PayPal links above. If you prefer to pay by cash or check at the door please e-mail taryn@sbnmass.org to secure your space, or call 617-395-0250.
Refreshments:
If you're interested in sponsoring refreshments, please contact Taryn
Johnson at taryn@sbnmass.org, or call 617-395-0250 for questions.
B2B Sponsorship includes: logo on all future invitations, plus additional communications and event listings; as well as the opportunity to give a promo in the introduction of the meeting.
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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:
Cape Ann Fresh Catch: Cape Ann Fresh catch is the largest community supported fishery in the US, working together with local fishermen along with shore-side operations to deliver fresh and sustainable seafood to CAFC members.
Edelstein & Company LLP: SBN's newest sponsoring member! With certified public accountants based in downtown Boston, Edelstein & Company provides certified public accounting, tax, business consulting, and financial planning services to individuals and companies.
Sustain Success: Sustainable Success is a global consortium of coaches, trainers, and communications experts who help organizations and government agencies build capacity for sustainable high performance, flexibility, creativity and responsiveness by strengthening internal working relationships among leaders and teams.
Sustainable America: Located in Stamford, Connecticut, Sustainable America aims to reduce U.S. oil consumption while increasing U.S. food production. By raising awareness and supporting innovation, Sustainable America's goal is to create sustainable change.
Welcome back to renewing SBN Members:
Prism Energy Services: Prism Energy Services specializes in the evaluation, design, and installation of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy options for the commercial, industrial, and retail sectors--while lowering monthly energy costs by up to 30%.
Somerville Sustainable Cleaning: Somerville Sustainable Cleaning is an environmentally sustainable commercial janitorial service provider, committed to delivering and promoting environmentally sustainable services.
Dancing Deer Baking Co.: Dancing Deer bakes gourmet all-natural, kosher-certified brownies, cakes and cookies out of Boston, all while staying true to their core values and driving a triple bottom-line (people, planet & profits).
Just Works Consulting: Just Works Consulting helps leaders, organizations, nonprofits and ethical businesses with specific projects or challenges, such as business plans, meeting facilitation and feasibility studies, leading change initiatives or strategic planning.
Ula Café: Ula Café is a neighborhood bakery, café and meet-up spot in Jamaica Plain committed to their role as a responsible, conscientious and eco-conscious employer, neighbor and community member.
The Longfellow Clubs: The Longfellow Clubs is a locally owned and independent health club network committed to the health and well being of the community, providing fitness, recreational and educational programs for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Interested in becoming a member?
Take a look and see what you think! Feel free to reach out to Sarah with any questions regarding your individual, student or business membership!
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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 Sustainable Business Leader Program Updates
Join us in congratulating Taza Chocolate for being re-certified as a Sustainable Business Leader!
SBLP is thrilled to announce that Taza Chocolate has been re-certified as a Sustainable Business Leader! During the re-certification, Taza implemented a variety of sustainability initiatives including: launching an office composting program, introducing compostable tasting cups to their factory store, switching to recycled plastic garbage bags, installing motion sensors, incorporating sustainability into their new-hire onboarding program, and creating a Sustainability Management Plan. We are delighted to have worked with such an outstanding company for a second time!
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Taza Chocolate, located in Somerville, makes stone ground, organic chocolate. In addition to their commitment to environmental sustainability, Taza is a leader in ethical cacao sourcing, committed to maintaining direct relationships with cacao farmers and compensating them fairly.
SBLP is excited to be working with many businesses for a second time, similarly to Taza, as they move towards re-certification. Gentle Giant Moving Company, Basil Tree Catering, NitWits Intelligent Lice Removal, Cambridge Common, Christopher's and West Side Lounge are among the most recent businesses to enroll in the program for re-certification. We are eager to work with these businesses again and help them further their commitment to sustainability!
The SBLP is in the process of re-certifying many local businesses. If you're interested in re-certifying, please contact Alex Barber at alex@sbnmass.org!
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Save the Date! 5th Annual Boston Local Food Festival Set for Sunday, September 14, 2014
We are excited to announce that SBN's 5th Annual Boston Local Food Festival will take place on Sunday, September 14, 2014 on the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway in downtown Boston! Vendor and sponsor registration has officially opened and we invite all interested farms, restaurants, specialty foods, and local food related organizations to participate!
The Boston Local Food Festival, considered New England's largest one day farmers market, is Boston's premier food event connecting thousands of eaters to healthy sustainable foods grown and produced close to home. Make sure to mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate our best festival yet on Sunday, September 14th, 11am-5pm!
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CALC & Greenovate Boston Host Small Business Meet-Up
The Climate Action Liaison Coalition (CALC), in tandem with Greenovate Boston, is holding a small business meet-up on Thursday, February 27th from 8:30 to 10:00 AM to share the programs the city offers with local small business owners. The goal of the meet-up is to incentivize more sustainable business practices in the city, and will include presentations from businesses who have had success with these  programs. In addition, participants will have an opportunity to provide feedback to CALC and the city on how these programs can have more profound positive environmental impacts, while also maintaining ease of use for small business leaders. |
 Save the Date for Upcoming Events!
Check out our Event Calendar for more event information & ticket purchases! RSVP to Taryn Johnson at Taryn@sbnmass.org!
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