Calling all members - please send us updates about your latest sustainability program accomplishments to share in our E-newsletter. Help us recognize your efforts and facilitate best practice sharing! Please send a 25-40 word summary describing a recent program development or achievement, and the results or impact, with a website link for more information if applicable. Images are welcome and will be used as space allows.
FTSLA News
Save the Date: May Webinar - Sustainability Partnerships: Engaging Suppliers for Success When: May 27th, 2-3 PM Eastern (11 AM-Noon Pacific) Cost: $25 for FTSLA Members, $40 non-members
Registration information and confirmed speakers to follow. Contact Melissa Schweisguth with questions.
Why attend? From farm to retail, organic businesses rely on numerous vendors for materials and services such as ingredients, equipment, energy, packaging, inbound shipping and distribution, office supplies and more. This means that our supply and distribution chains have a big effect on the sustainability impacts and costs associated with our products. Engaging suppliers around sustainability issues is critical to address these impacts, for the benefit of our businesses and the greater good. This engaging webinar will offer practical guidance and tools for companies seeking guidance in this emerging area.
FTSLA Seeks Qualified Candidates for Board of Directors
Looking for an opportunity to get more involved in sustainability leadership in the organic food industry? There are 7 seats on FTSLA's Board of Directors up for election this July. FTSLA seeks a balanced representation from stakeholders including growers, processors, manufacturers, handlers, distributors and retailers. Candidates should have a passion for driving leading models of positive change. There are 2 ways to become involved with our Board:
Individuals from business that are Full Members in FTSLA may apply for Board of Directors positions, to be voted on by FTSLA Members
Non-members with aligned values and skills may apply for "at large" Board positions, which may comprise up to 3 Board positions and are appointed by the Board of Directors.
Please contact Natalie Reitman-White with any questions, and to submit nominations by May 15th, 2010.
Save the date - Organicology, Feb 10-12, 2011!
Organicology 2011 Conference planning is in full swing. Check out the conference website for details on speakers, workshop, events and intensives, including a Sustainable Business Intensive and several workshops coordinated by FTSLA. The 2011 conference will focus on sustainable business, farming, seed issues, the impacts of climate change on agriculture, the farm bill and other policy issues. Visit the conference website for information and updates.
Webinar & Conference Presentations Online
Slides from our March webinar on Measurement & Reporting are online. This webinar included presentations from FTSLA, Kimberly Dickey of Frontier Natural Products Co-op and Mark McElrroy, Ph. D. of Deloitte, focused on choosing metrics and indicators, tips for data collection and reporting, and using context-based metrics.
FTSLA's Executive Director Natalie Reitman-White presented at the "Business of Sustainability" pre-conference at Eco-Farm. Presentations and video are now online. Check them out here.
Sponsor Highlight
Thanks to our newest 2010 Lead Sponsor, Nature's Path!
Our featured sponsor this month is Organically Grown Company (OGC), the Pacific Northwest's largest wholesaler of organic produce. Founded in 1978, it is famer and employee owned, and a proud supporter of regional organic farmers. OGC is committed to operating in more sustainable ways, supporting environmental health and improving the well being of people across its business and communities. Key practices include:
100% renewable energy at all facilities
Truck fleet uses biodiesel containing 20-30% used cooking-oil
Reduced waste to landfill by 55%
Donates 2.5% of profits to charitable causes
Donated over 2 million pounds of food to food banks.
Member News
Special report: Clif Bar launches Organic Seed Grant with Three Key Non-profit Partners
The CLIF BAR Family Foundation recently announced a $500,000 grant to promote organic seed research and conserve crop genetic diversity - ultimately ensuring a more resilient and successful future for organic farming. The multi-year grant represents the largest single donation in the history of the Foundation. It will support the Organic Farming Research Foundation, Organic Seed Alliance and Center for Food Safety - expert non-profit organizations that share a passion for creating sustainability in organic farming. Learn more about this effort and how you can support it.
Member Resources Spotlight - Metrics Tracking Template:
We've developed a user-friendly template for members to collect and evaluate data for FTSLA measurement and reporting. If you haven't used the template, we encourage you to download it from our Member Center. If you have questions about the template, contact Melissa Schweisguth.
FREE members-only webinar: FTSLA Metrics & Reporting
FTSLA is holding a FREE webinar for members only, focused on our metrics and reporting. We'll review our metrics, offer measurement and reporting guidance, hear from experienced peers and discuss your questions. The webinar will be scheduled per member preferences. Interested? Sign up and specify preferred times online.
Check out the latest Member Sustainability Reports in our Member Center, from Lifesource Natural Foods, GloryBee Foods and Lundberg Family Farms. They are accessible to members in the Member Center. These reports highlight some excellent practices and progress in the areas of waste reduction, energy and water conservation, emissions reduction, workplace programs, animal care and consumer education, and share members' goals for continuous improvement. Two FTSLA members also released public sustainability reports: Lundberg Family Farms and Organically Grown Company.
GloryBee Foods has added organic beans grown in a partnership with Shekina Ridge Farms, a Willamette Valley family farm. The local sourcing has resulted in reduced transportation fuel and provides more regional foods to consumers and retailers.
Organics Unlimited's GROW Foundation recently provided academic scholarships to children of GROW banana workers. Scholarships are given to 20-40 students annually to cover costs of secondary eduction and college. Learn more here.
Green for All recently released five new green business guides, focused on relevant funding sources, key terminology, business ideas as well as business planning and tips for greening your business. They can be downloaded online.
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