FTSLA members are invited to a Membership Retreat focused on learning about members' sustainability activities, shaping FTSLA's ongoing programs, and identifying strategies to collaborate and advance organics and sustainability across our businesses, industry and the marketplace.
At the engaging, invite-only, members-only gathering we will: • Share members' annual sustainability reports • Learn from each others' successes and challenges
• Strengthen our collective voice, form shared initiatives and build on partnerships
• Learn about our 5-year Strategy
• Provide input on FTSLA's overarching direction, and how we can best
meet our mission and members' needs and add value for members
FTSLA Co-sponsors Eco-Farm Pre-conference: "The Business of Sustainability: Growing Health, Wealth, and Ecological Integrity in
Our Food System"
This day-long workshop is organized by UC Santa Cruz's Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food System, with two tracks to meet the needs of businesses at all stages and networking time. The agenda features expert presentations on business development and sustainability practices from farm to retail, including business planning, financing, marketing, labor/workplace practices, sustainability measurement and certifications, and more. Learn more and register online.
Website update - Member Profiles Requested
We're updating our website and will be adding a section to spotlight members. Please send a 100-word description of your business, and your logo, to melissa@ftsla.org, if you haven't done so already.
FTSLA Webinar: "Measuring and Reducing Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions/Carbon Footprint"
FTSLA is planning to kickoff its webinar series in early December. Our first interactive, on-line seminar will focus on measuring and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change. It will feature experts in the measurement arena as well as peer companies with leading practices. Look for more information and registration soon.
FTSLA and Climate Change Policy Engagement
Natalie Reitman-White and several FTSLA Members are participating on the Organic Trade Association's Global Climate Change Task Force and the Climate Neutral Business Network. Through these groups, FTSLA is reviewing pending U.S. climate legislation and working to influence policy so organic agriculture and sustainable business practices are positioned as part of the solution to climate change, focused on these areas:
1) Legislation should consider certified organic production for offset eligibility, since organic farming methods increase soil carbon and carbon sequestration
2) In a cap-and-trade scenario, provide incentives and carbon credits for "downstream" organic/biological farming and sustainable business practices that reduce, mitigate and sequester emissions. These include reducing petroleum-based inputs and operating emissions, such as switching refrigerants.
3) Support training, education, extension, outreach and assistance to increase understanding and use of climate change mitigation practices from farm to retail.
4) Support research to understand how agricultural systems can adapt to climate change, such as plant breeding, increasing crop diversity and farming practices that address temperature changes, increased/decreased precipitation and pests/diseases.
New Members: Welcome Bridges Produce and the Food Coop of Port Townsend Bridges Produce is a national distributor of fresh organic produce grown on family farms from the Pacific Northwest to South America. It markets a range of items across diverse venues, from a local CSA to national retailers. Bridges was founded by Ben Johnson in 2002 and focuses on providing excellent customer service and maximizing each grower's potential in the marketplace. They are dedicated to sustainable agriculture and socially responsible practices.
The Food Coop of Port Townsend is a natural foods cooperative grocery store on the Olympic Peninsula, in Port Townsend, WA. It was founded in 1972, employs approximately 90 people and operates 8,000 square feet of retail space and two offices. Since 2006 the Food Co-op has grossed over $10 million in sales.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Big Tree Farms is using "Fair Fuel" a biofuel made from local, composted spent sugar cane and other byproducts that are packed into dense, efficiently burning briquettes. It is produced by small farmers and purchased by Big Tree Farms for community processing facilities. This replaces wood in traditional processing, preserving forests, biodiversity and climate.
GloryBee Foods set up compost collection at its three Eugene, OR locations in June, which has proven to be a huge success. GloryBee is now composting 33% of its total waste/byproducts stream, significantly decreasing the amount of waste sent to landfills.
Hummingbird Wholesale improved recycling and cut landfill load in half thanks to employees who completed a Master Recyclers course. They are now recycling plastics not accepted through municipal programs, and composting non-food compostables. Hummingbird's 'Om Grown Granola is now "100% grown in Oregon" through a new partnership with a local farmer growing flax seed.
Mountain Rose Herbs is implementing program with incentives for carpooling and bicycling to work. They pay staff who carpool 12-cents per mile per passenger, pay bike commuters 20-cents per mile and offer a yearly $500 cash bonus to the staff member who has logged the most miles. Learn more online.
Organics Unlimited is improving water quality at its banana farming operations in Mexico. The region's irrigation and washing facilities typically use river water, which can be contaminated with chemicals and pathogens from upstream. Organics Unlimited is drilling a new well to provide better quality water, improving the working environment and the bananas.
Affiliates
California Certified Organic Farms invites you to its annual convention in February 2010, including an educational conference on "Healthy Soils, Healthy Food: Lessons in Agriculture and Climate Change." It will feature a keynote by Tim LaSalle, a full agenda of expert-led sessions and productive dialog between regulators, NGOs, farmers and other parties about climate change and organic agriculture. More information and registration online.
Quality Assurance International (QAI) is implementing an ISO 14001Environmental Management System. ISO 14001 accreditation will help QAI ensure it evaluates performance consistently and makes progress. Improvements to date include expanding green office purchases, decreasing paper usage, and bundling inspections to reduce costs and environmental footprint.
Lifecycle Analysis: Scientific Certification Systems recently wrote an overview of Lifecycle Analysis (LCA) for Sustainable Industries. The article provides a concise, clear view of the rational for LCA, resources required, current methods, benefits and limitations.
Sustainability Headlines
The National Organic Standard Board met Nov 3-5, 2009. Topics on the agenda included nanotechnology, animal welfare, personal care, retailer certification, petitioned materials and vaccines. On the meeting agenda site, USDA has posted a presentation made by Deputy Administrator Miles McEvoy (See 9:30am), including information on ensuring organic integrity, program budget, staff expansion and progress on the access to pasture rule.
Fair Food recently released a video on farm labor issues, highlighting farm workers, fair food advocates and business solutions. View it online and learn how to get involved.
Mambo Sprouts Marketing released a report on organic and green marketing trends for 2010. This provides a snapshot of current consumer beliefs and patterns, and a compass for marketing, communications and innovation related to sustainable products, services and business practices.
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