Featured FTSLA
Member Benefit: Sustainability Advising
FTSLA offers ongoing consult and support for member sustainability program needs. You can call or email us any time for guidance and information on your sustainability program, from organizational engagement and goal setting to data collection and continuous improvement. Our staff stays updated on sustainability issues and activities, and maintain a file of resources and reports. We're here to what we've gathered and learned, help research and connect you with peers working on similar issues. Contact Melissa via email or phone (541-727-0460) to take advantage of this.
FTSLA Sponsor
Spotlight
Founded in 1976, FTSLA Major Sponsor Frontier offers a full line of organic and natural products under the Frontier, Simply Organic®, Aura Cacia® and Aura Cacia Organics® brands. The co-op's products include culinary herbs, spices and baking flavors; bulk herbs and spices; and natural and organic aromatherapy products. Frontier offers the broadest selection of Fair Trade Certified ingredients and has implemented its own ethical and sustainable sourcing program, Well Earth™, which enables Frontier to work toward organic ingredient development in product categories and territories that aren't currently available for Fair Trade certification. Learn more on Frontier's website and sustainability report.
Seeking Member
Sustainability News!
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
Free members-only webinar 6/3: FTSLA Measurement & Reporting Process
We're holding a FREE, members-only webinar, on 6/3 from 11 am-Noon PST, focused on our reporting process. We'll give a step-by-step overview of the FTSLA reporting process and our metrics & indicators, discuss highlights from members' reports, share members experiences with reporting and data collection, and take questions. This will be a great way to stay on track with your sustainability management efforts and network with FTSLA peers. We will send sign up information to members shortly.
Supplier Engagement Webinar postponed
FTSLA's supplier engagement webinar, scheduled for 5/27, has been postponed due to speaker schedule changes. We will send the updated date and registration information soon.
ANSI National Sustainable Agriculture Standard Update
Jim Pierce, FTSLA's appointee on the ANSI Sustainable Agriculture Standard Committee will represent FTSLA at the next meeting, June 14-15. Now 18 months in the development process, the committee will tackle key issues with taking the guidance documents to the next step - drafting a 3rd party auditable standard. The agenda includes discussion of:
Social, environmental & economic criteria that will underpin the standard
Accounting for the positive and negative externalities of various farming practices
How farmers are using standards systems to improve operations
Science and metrics
The meeting is open to observers. Please send comments or questions on the Agenda to Jim Pierce. We'll share an update after the meeting. For more innformation, see the Leonardo Academy Website.
FTSLA Metrics & Indicators Update
FTSLA is currently working to update the social-environmental metrics and indicators used for member reporting. We're gathering input from a broad group of external stakeholders including relevant non-profits, certifiers, trade associations, academics, consultants and others to ensure FTSLA stays aligned with current social responsibility reporting (CSR) best practices and focused on helping our members measure what matters. We will distribute proposed revisions to members for review and comment. We anticipate releasing the updated metrics and indicators by August, along with an updated ToolKit 3: Resource Guide with links, tools and more.
FTSLA Seeks 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 28th, 2010.
Member News
Welcome new Affiliate Member Christopher Ranch! We'll share more background on them in a future issue.
Ashland Food Cooperative's (AFC) sustainability program was spotlighted in Cooperative Grocer's May issue, in a piece by AFC's Annie Hoy. It should be online soon, and we'll link it to our twitter feed. AFC also announced Matt Dillon from Organic Seed Alliance as their annual meeting speaker, educating consumers about the challenges, needs and opportunities around organic seed.
Muir Glen announced a decision to remove BPA from its tomato cans. This is a great move and a leadership example for the food industry.
Nature's Path is holding a "Gardens for Good" contest, offering cash grants, fundraising support and gardening assistance to help two communities start organic gardens, and will contribute product to food banks in those communities. Applications are due 5/31. More information online.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) spotlights OTA member sustainability efforts in its Organic Report, newsletter and other venues. If you're an OTA member with news about your sustainability program to share, contact Jennifer Rose.
Sustainability Program Tips & Resources
Seward Co-op shared their "Social Scorecard" in a recent issue of the Cooperative Grocer. It includes their key indicators for social, environmental and economic impact, offering a reference tool for measurement and reporting.
EPA's Energy Star challenge program helps manufacturers reduce their energy, costs and environmental footprint by offering tools, resources and support. Participants must set a 5-year reduction goal and demonstrate annual progress. All interested manufacturers can join the program.
The Green Economy Post has compiled a list of 15 studies and whitepapers on building green, sustainable supply chains, covering the reasons and benefits, how to get started, best practices and examples. These are excellent resources for leading-edge companies looking to address their broader impact.
The National Organic Standards Board met in late April. Agenda items included the NOP Program Report, NOP strategic plan, sunset items, animal health & welfare, inert ingredients, nanotechnology and more. You can view the agenda online. Notes will be posted in the future.
The Organic Trade Association reported that organic food sales rose 5% in 2009, with organic produce showing the highest gains at 11%. Despite a tough economy, consumers are increasingly realizing the value of organic farming and foods.
Whole Foods Market announced a goal to reduce its energy use 25% per square foot by 2015 through efficiency, green building, refrigeration and transportation while increasing its use of wind power and on-site generation of renewable energy.
For updates on sustainability news and resources, and FTSLA member accomplishments, follow our twitter feed.
Contact Info
Natalie Reitman-White, Executive Director
541.852.0745 or info@ftsla.org
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