March, 2014  

 

This fun & delicious event will include: All you can eat gourmet appetizers, sourced locally from around the North Shore and Massachusetts, generously provided by Chive Sustainable Catering & Event Design  2 Free Passes for a Taza Chocolate Factory Tour Cold craft beer from Cape Cod Beer (who use Taza Cocoa Nibs in their Mint Chocolate Porter), located in Hyannis, MA!  Newly launched Spring Edition beer, "Run to Equinox," from Banner Beer Company Unlimited samples of fresh-from-the-factory Taza Chocolate in Somerville, MA  Casual after-work networking opportunities in a fun and unique setting!  Support to several small, local businesses A chance to embrace the spring season with some of our all-time favorite treats

This event is generously sponsored by:

On March 4th, the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts hosted the third Local Food Trade Show at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. SBN's trade show took another major step in growing the local food system by connecting local sellers with local buyers. 

The event went off without a hitch, and attracted over 50 local food producers and more than 150 local buyers and other attendees from all over Massachusetts and New England. Attendees included specialty and non-specialty crop growers, fishermen, and value-added producers who are looking to connect to Massachusetts and New England-based buyers, including college and healthcare institutions, restaurants, retail grocers and more! 

Jane Hu Photography

Jane Hu Photography

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) partnered with the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts (SBN) through a specialty crop grant to connect local food producers with wholesale buyers such as schools, hospitals, restaurants and grocery stores. Northeastern University provided a fantastic space that could not have been better. The turnout for the event even topped last year's successful Trade Show and reaffirmed the unwavering support and growing interest in local purchasing. 

Jane Hu Photography

With a goal to enhance the local food system within the region, SBN's Local Food Trade Show is a platform for wholesale buyers seeking to expand their offering of local food, including produce, value-added products, meat, dairy and seafood. At this year's event, buyers had the unique opportunity to meet 50 farmers and producers who grow and craft some of New England's finest foods.  

The Sustainable Business Network is a recognized Massachusetts Buy Local Group and through its Boston Local Food Program, is committed to driving local food system transformation, one eater at a time. Through programs and events like the Local Food Trade Show, SBN is joining other passionate local food groups across the state, region and nation in making this shift a reality.  

Participating SBN members included:

Basil Tree Catering and Café  (Attendee), Berkshire Natural Healthy Vending (Attendee), Boston Organics (Sponsor and Seminar Panelist: Jeff Barry), Cape Ann Fresh Catch (Exhibitor), Cape Cod Salt Works (Attendee), Food For Free (Attendee), Good Egg Marketing (Attendee), Julia Shanks Food Consulting (Attendee), Locally (Attendee), New England Aquarium (Attendee), New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (Exhibitor and Seminar Facilitator, Panelist) Prism Energy Services (Sponsor and Exhibitor), Tel-Affinity Corp.(Sponsor), The Williams Agency (Marketing)

Thanks to everyone who participated and helped to make this event another big success for the SBN Local Food Program!

Jane Hu Photography

Jane Hu Photography

Thank you to our generous event sponsors who helped make this event possible:

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.

New this year! We will also be introducing optional afternoon workshops to continue the conversation. Workshops will run from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and can be added to your registration once they become available.  

SBN's network is growing in leaps and bounds! A big welcome to our newest SBN Members:

Quiet Communities, Inc: A non-profit organization dedicated to protecting health, the environment and quality of life from the excessive use of industrial outdoor maintenance equiptment. Quiet Communities provides education, outreach and advocacy focused on the risks of noise pollution and the benefits to alternative solutions

The Foodery: A residential organic meal delivery service, the Foodery is committed to easing the challenge of healthy, local and delicious that urban eaters face. All the meals delivered stand up the the highest quality standards, support local farmers and producers and are all sourced humanely and in a safe way to the environment.

Welcome back to renewing SBN Members:  

Boston Organics: Boston Organics provides access to fresh, organic produce to promote and support healthy living in a mindful and sustainable way that respects the environment, supports local farms, local businesses, and fair-trade practices.

Cambridge Brewing Company: Nationally acclaimed and locally cherished, the Cambridge Brewing Company has been at the forefront of the Pub Brewery movement since it's inception in 1989. The focus on high quality craft beers and seasonally inspired New England fare have led to numerous accolades and a devoted clientele. CBC's desire to exceed guest expectations informs and motivates them daily.

Equal Exchange: With a mission to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, Equal Exchange fosters mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers and demonstrates the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world.

Insource Services, Inc: Insource Services provides business solutions for companies large and small. Their expertise in core business areas helps ensure that our clients can focus on their core competencies - and the bottom line. Insource staff members fulfill critical functions that allow client-company principals to focus on delivering the product or service that determines the company's success.

Interise: Interise stimulates economic revitalization in lower income communities. They provide a diverse group of small business owners with entrepreneurial education, new networks, and access to markets. The community creates jobs, grows businesses, and develops community leaders.

Natural Awakenings Magazine: Boston's healthy living magazine, Natural Awakenings is your guide to a healthier, more balanced life. Their mission is to provide insights and information to improve the quality of life physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Rainbow Solutions: Founded in 1998, Rainbow Solitions provides services and resources to help individuals and organizations live and invest responsibly to create a better world for ourselves and future generations, by moving towards greater social and environmental responsibility.

Taza Chocolate: Taza Chocolate strives to make and share stoneground, organic chocolate that is good and fair for all. By using traditional stone grinding methods, Taza's chocolate is minimally process with bold flavor and texture, unlike any other chocolate.

Interested in becoming a member? 

Take a look and see what you think! Feel free to reach out to Charlotte 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!

Secretary Perez at Cambridge Naturals health store with owners Michael Kanter and Elizabeth Stagl. Photo credits: www.dol.gov

Last week, SBN-members Michael Kanter and Elizabeth Stagl hosted a visit by US Secretary of Labor Tomas Perez at their store, Cambridge Naturals. During a roundtable meeting, Secretary Perez heard why increasing the minimum wage is good for business from Kanter and Stagl as well as other SBN members, including Glynn Lloyd, CEO of City Fresh Foods, Valerie Shulock, President, Basil Tree Catering and Nicola Williams, President, The Williams Agency. 

Other business owners participating in the roundtable were: Shannon Liss-Riordan, CEO, Just Crust Pizza; David Sandberg, President, Porter Square Books; and Joy Silverstein, Owner, Fresh Hair. The roundtable was moderated by Business for a Fair Minimum Wage Director Holly Sklar.

Please join demonstrate your support by signing the Massachusetts Business for a Fair Minimum Wage statement. 

The Foodery started when two guys grew suspicious of the nutritious food they'd eaten for years, and learned how most food is created without much consideration for the environment or animal welfare-- let alone the consumer.  

After looking around and realizing that convenient meals made with real food don't exist, the two were forced to cook and pack meals for themselves. Busy with work, exercise and family, they quickly became too strapped for time to do things right. A real problem was found and the two started spending time away from their finance careers to create food they could be proud to serve to their family and friends.

A company formed and a small passionate group started doing something with purpose. The Foodery commits a great deal of resources to understanding the changes in our food supply and their impacts on everyone and everything involved!

"By joining the Small Business Network, The Foodery will be surrounded with like-minded leaders in the local sustainability community. This spectrum of input will strengthen the company's ability to thrive and keep sustainability as a business principle as it reaches its growth goals." 

--John Bauer

The Foodery Co-Founder

The Foodery is now using crowdfunding to raise funds for its new kitchen in South Boston and get the support of the community in it's initial growth phase. The Foodery set a goal of $100,000 because this amount will allow the business to make the type of difference it intends to make in healthy eating and the support of local agriculture. The funds will allow The Foodery to expand its service from its new kitchen in South Boston while strengthening its relationships with local farmers and suppliers. 

By raising donations, The Foodery will be able to launch its new kitchen in South Boston. It will also retain its decision making power during its fragile start-up phase and preserve its core values and guiding principles of operation. 

If you're interested in supporting their crowdfunding campaign, find out their campaign here! Or contact Co-Founder Mike Speights at mike@myfoodery.com. 

The SBLP is pleased to be announce that all three locations of the Harvest Co-op Markets have enrolled in the program! The Cambridge location is seeking an SBLP re-certification, while the two locations in Jamaica Plain are entering the program for the first time. We're excited to be working with such a great group that focuses so much on local food and local community.

The Haley House Bakery Café, located in Roxbury, has also joined the program a second time to re-certify as Sustainable Business Leaders. They are hoping to further their commitment to sustainability and add value to the café for a second time. Haley House is so excited about the program that the Soup Kitchen will also be seeking Sustainable Business Leader Certification!

Interested in learning more about the Sustainable Business Leader Program? Contact Alex Barber at Alex@sbnmass.org to learn more about the opportunities and how you can reduce your business' carbon footprint and save money. SBLP is also seeking new participants who are committed to local, green and fair.

• Belmont/Watertown Local First
• Brookline Local First
• Cambridge Local First
• Jamaica Plain Local First 
• Somerville Local First
• Waltham Local First
• Worcester Local First

Save the Date for Upcoming Events!

• March 20: Spring Equinox Chocolate & Beer w/ Taza Chocolate
• March 31: B2B Networking Group Meeting
• May 8-11: AMIBA Conference 2014 in Minneapolis, MN
• May 15: Sustainability Leadership Summit 2014
• June 11-13: 12th Annual BALLE Conference in Oakland, CA