March 2009 |
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Table of Contents Sustainable Business Intensive Highlights Importance of Strategic Sustainability Efforts Eco-labeleing: SpeakersShare How to Market Green & Fair Values
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Sustainable Business Intensive Highlights the Importance of Strategic Sustainability Efforts In February, nearly one hundred organic producers, manufacturers and retailers attended a day-long "Sustainable Business Intensive" at the Organicology Conference in Portland, Oregon. Keynote speakers Gil Friend, President of Natural Logic Dr. Frederick Kirschenmann Distinguished Fellow for the Leopold Center, encouraged participants to resist 'short-term thinking' and simply becoming more 'green'. Instead they encouraged participants to focus on developing a long-term vision of how your company can move to align with ecological principles and systems. Dr. Kirschenmann warned conventional agriculture, simply will not continue to offer a viable means for feeding the world. He argued that conventional agriculture ignores the "4 elephants in the room" that are dependence on non-renewable energy, fresh water depletion, climate change and soil degradation. Sustainability, with an emphasis upon the concept of resiliency, and a renewed respect for maintaining the fertility (quality) of the soil, is to Kirschenmann now, the foundation of a new food system. Four industry leaders presented their successes and challenges moving their companies toward more sustainable business practices including Clif Bar, Straus Creamery, PCC Natural markets and Organic Apparel.
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Eco-labeling: Speakers Share How to Market Green & Fair Values Dozens of natural food business people attended the Responsible Packaging Forum co-hosted by FTSLA and Whole Foods Green Mission at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA. The focus of the meeting was on how to authentically communicate the added-value of green and fair business practices to consumers without the "nascar look"-overloading a package with logos and seals. The food sector has seen the biggest growth in the proliferation of eco-labels. Consumer watch-dog groups are taking notice and beginning to evaluate the authenticity of claims. The Federal Trade Commission has developed guidelines for environmental marketing claims. Speakers at the Responsible Packaging Forum made the case that good claims should be substantiated (evidence based and measurable), specific (refer only to the specific attribute, avoid general claims), consistent and clear (same meaning if used in multiple circumstances), and certified (meaningful consistent standards that are independently verified). Three key trends food eco-labeling 1) Development of private in-house retail labels, such as the Whole Foods "Whole Trade Guarantee" label developed with TransFair, 2) Popularity of omission labels, such as "rBGH free" or "GMO free" which are increasingly under fire from lawsuits, and 3) Carbon-footprint labels fueled by consumer demand for climate-friendly products. Meredith Niles, of the Center For Food Safety warned that carbon-labels that can differ widely in the degree to which a product's actual life-cycle emissions are measured; 70% of consumers believe that carbon footprint claims should be proven by independent parties. In November 2008, the Carbon Trust launched a carbon certification in the U.S., however it currently does not factor organic farming benefits into overall emissions. |
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UNFI's Ridgefield, Wa Distribution Center Awarded LEED Gold Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Frontier Natural Products Cooperative Donates a Delivery Vehicle for School Lunches to Underprivileged Children in India Frontier funded the purchase of a delivery truck through Akshaya Patra a Foundation that serves hot, freshly cooked school meals to underprivileged children in India that are in line with the local palate are prepared as per the recommendations of qualified nutritionists. Food is distributed to schools through heat-insulated, dust-free special purpose vehicles to hundreds of thousands of children across India each school day. Kathy Larson, VP of Sustainability at Frontier traveled to India last month for the truck dedication. Organically Grown Company Publishes Fifth Annual Sustainability Report: Organic Produce Wholesaler Charts Significant Progress in 2008Organically Grown reports that in the last 3 years it has reduced waste sent to landfill from 376 tons to 176 tons - a nearly 60% reduction in total solid waste disposed and a 100% increase in the amount of material recycled and composted. In 2008 OGC consumed less total fleet fuel-a total of 153,992 gallons, compared to 2007 total of 158,009 gallons-while experiencing close to double digit growth in volume of product distributed. Through efficiency measures OGC has reduced the amount of energy consumed (electricity, natural gas, diesel, biodiesel) per box of produce distributed company wide by 12%. In 2008, OGC's sales of Organics Unlimited GROW bananas resulted in a donation $82,455 to educational programs and dental and vision clinics in southern Mexico. To see full report click here. |
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Reduce Paper Consumption: Preserve the earth and save money Setting a goal to reduce office paper consumption can be a visible objective to rally your co-workers and increase involvement in your sustainability efforts. Using the "zero-waste hierarchy" to reduce, reuse, Reduce the amount you print: Reuse paper: Recycle paper: |
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| Upcoming Events:
FTSLA/OTA Sustainable Business Networking Meeting |
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Natalie Reitman-White, Executive Director |
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