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FTSLA News and Events: Learn and connect at Expo East!

Member News

Sustainability Program Tips & Resources

Sustainability News Headlines

FTSLA News and Events: Learn and connect at Expo East!

FTSLA is hosting several events at Expo East to educate members on key issues and best practices, facilitate networking and dialogue, and engage with prospective members.

Registration is required for all events. Please RSVP, and direct inquiries to: Melissa Schweisguth, melissa@ftsla.org, 541-292-7542

1. Member Networking
WHEN: After FTSLA Workshop (below): Sept 25th, 2009
WHERE: Boston Convention Center: Room 161
Connect with fellow members to build collaborative relationships and share challenges and best practices, advancing our shared success.

2. FTSLA Workshop: "Organic Systems & the Value Proposition for Long Term Sustainability" (download flyer)
WHEN: Sept 25th, 2009; 11:30 am-2 pm (food provided)
WHERE: Boston Convention Center: Room 161

Sponsored by FTSLA, this brings together great speakers and a facilitated dialogue addressing the benefits of organic systems and our potential to drive wider sustainability.

Sustainability Frameworks, measurement, communication: Melissa Schweisguth, FTSLA and Tom Wright, sustainablebizness.com

Current Research on Organic Systems & Multiple Sustainability Benefits: Timothy LaSalle, PhD., The Rodale Institute

Strategic Discussion: Facilitated by Cecil Wright, Organic Valley and Melissa Schweisguth, FTSLA: Tapping strengths and opportunities, addressing shared challenge, engaging around policy and the National Organic Action Plan

3. Responsible Packaging Forum (download flyer)
WHEN: Sept. 23, 2009: 1-4:30 pm, Free catered lunch from Whole Foods 12-1 PM.
WHERE: Boston Convention Center Room 109A

Sponsored by Whole Foods' Green Mission and FTSLA, this features engaging industry experts and dialogue to help you take home concrete action plans.

Key questions we'll address
What are the opportunities to reduce our use of virgin non-renewable materials and achieve zero waste? How do I assess bio-based materials?
How can we enable the transition to more sustainable packaging? What are the challenges and opportunities?

Speakers:
~ Michael Besancon, Whole Foods Markets: Green Mission
~ Chad Smith, Earthbound Farms
~ Tom Wright, sustainablebizness.com: Sustainable packaging principles, guidelines, claims
~ Mark Rossi, Clean Production Action: Responsible bio-based materials
~ Robert Combs, Burt's Bees: Post-consumer content, multiple materials
~ Melissa Schweisguth, FTSLA: User-customer engagement & communications

4. Introduction to FTSLA
WHEN: Sept. 24th, 2009; 9-10 am
WHERE: Boston Convention Center: Room 156A
Interested in FTSLA membership and want to learn about our mission, activities and member benefits? Attend this session for an informative presentation and Q/A.

Thanks to New Hope and Organic Valley for providing meeting rooms.

New Staff

FTSLA welcomes Melissa Schweisguth as Director of Membership Development and Education. Read her bio. Melissa is focusing on growing membership, serving as a sustainability resource for members and developing resources and opportunities to advance sustainability among members and beyond She encourages all members to reach out on an ongoing basis.

Member News

• CCOF has become a certified Green Business in the Monterey Area Green Business Program. This is part of CCOF's ongoing efforts to ensure its business practices support the ecological principles that underlie organics. Read more here.

• UNFI rolled out a hybrid vehicle purchasing incentive program, providing $3,000 to employees, and joined EPA's Climate Leaders program. UNFI's Green Teams have been challenged with carrying out local environmental community development projects, and UNFI is excited to see the results. Lisa Madsen was recently promoted to Director of Sustainability and Social Responsibility and will focus on strengthening UNFI's sustainability and philanthropic initiatives.

• FTSLA & our members were cited as leading examples of sustainability among Small and Medium businesses in an article in Environmental Management. Read it here...

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Sustainability Program Tips & Resources

Lifecycle assessment: Where is it on your sustainability agenda?
Product lifecycle analysis (LCA) is gaining increasing interest but question remain about the accuracy of various methodologies, data sources, etc. A new white paper from Deloitte addresses business implications such as key market drivers, challenges and opportunities; and provides some guidance for implementation.

Sustainability Headlines

USDA plans to launch a "BioPreferred" label to identify products made of bio-based materials. The USDA's BioPreferred website states that the label would "increase the purchase of renewable, environmentally friendly biobased products," among other benefits Yet, the proposed criteria do not consider farming methods. Read OCA's summary, and learn about the proposed regulations and comment on them.

Eco/social labels are multiplying rapidly, leading to questions about which labels are valid, what each really delivers and which ones to use. Read more from Sustainable Industries.

Consumers are starting to dig deeper into sustainability claims and considering a business' practices, not just products, to evaluate companies. This underscores the need and opportunity for our industry to expand communications around the multiple benefits of organic, sustainable systems. Read more here.

Wal-Mart announced the launch of its Sustainability Index, starting with 15 questions for top-tier vendors and culminating in the development of an open-source product lifecycle assessment database and retail product labeling. A consortium of researchers, nonprofits and others will develop the database. Learn about the consortium and process from GreenBiz.com.

Contact Info

Natalie Reitman-White, Executive Director
541.852.0745 or info@ftsla.org