Featured FTSLA
Member Benefit:
Toolkit 3: Sustainability Resource Guide
Looking for updated, expert sustainability resources and information to advance your efforts? Our "Sustainability Resource Guide" is an updated comprehensive, annotated list of useful resources related to each area of our Declaration. Members can access this in our Member Center or the Toolkit binder mailed to all new members.
FTSLA Sponsor Spotlight
Lead sponsor Nature's Path Foods was founded on a passion for leaving the earth better than you found it through creating healthful, delicious, certified organic foods. As an independent, family- owned business, Nature's Path strives to incorporate sustainability in all that it does, from farm partnerships and packaging reduction to engaging team members in sustainability. Key accomplishments include a 36% packaging reduction on granola bar packaging, a 10% reduction in granola cereal packaging and a "Green My Ride". employee transportation program. Learn more.
Thanks to our Sponsors
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
July Webinar: Communicating Your Organic and Sustainable Practices
We're offering a webinar in July focused on helping advance your marketing and communications around organic and sustainable practices. An announcement will be sent shortly. We'll hear about the latest research on the benefits of organic farming and sustainability practices, what issues and messages are most meaningful to external audiences and how to ensure honesty in your claims. Marketing professionals from agencies and peer companies will also share tips and examples for high integrity, high impact marketing and communications.
FTSLA Board Elections - Please Vote!
We've sent all Members a ballot for our Board of Directors election. Please complete and mail your ballot by July 14, 2010 (postmark date). If you haven't received a ballot, or if you have questions, email Natalie Reitman-White or phone (541-852-0745).
FTSLA Metrics Revisions - Seeking Input
We're updating the metrics & indicators that members use for FTSLA sustainability reporting. We're seeking individuals to provide input in these areas: distribution & sourcing (incl. fuel use), water (use & quality), solid waste, labor & ethical sourcing, stakeholder education. Contact Melissa Schweisguth if you'd like to participate. (FTSLA members, note that your feedback will be requested as part of this process, so you need not respond to this invitation.)
Member News
Welcome new members!
As 2010 membership outreach continues, we're excited to welcome new members. Interested in membership? See our website or contact Melissa Schweisguth .
Christopher Ranch, Provender Alliance and Wolf, DiMatteo + Associates joined as affiliates.
Christopher Ranch of Gilroy, CA, is family-owned and the premier grower of heirloom garlic. Conservation is a time-honored concept across operations, from farming to packaging. Christopher Ranch is delighted to join FTSLA and work together toward a more sustainable food system.
Provender Alliance unites natural foods retailers, manufacturers, brokers, distributors, consultants and other organizations with like-minded values. Provender helps members learn and improve their business practices through mentoring, outreach, best practice sharing and education.
Wolf, DiMatteo +Associates delivers strategic expertise to help organic, socially and environmentally responsible products and projects reach their full potential-and flourish, with a focus on organic and sustainable farming practices, certification, compliance, management, policy and trade.
Member Updates
Congratulations to Organically Grown Company and Hummingbird Wholesale, who were named to Oregon Business' '100 Green Business to Work For' list!
The PCC Farmland Trust recently helped fund the preservation of a 100-acre farm in Pierce County, WA.
SunOpta was featured in a Food CEO video interview, presenting highlights on the company's recent sustainability projects and the benefits these efforts yield.
Job openings with FTSLA members
Several FTSLA members are hiring, a great sign of strong growth for organic, socially responsible enterprises
Feeling challenged to find the staff resources to implement your sustainability program? Try these tips to incorporate sustainability into any job and build capacity, progress, morale and engagement without adding staff or related costs.
Got trucks or other company vehicles? Check out GE CapitalFleet Service's survey on fleet management and the environment, including key metrics and goals used to manage fleet costs and impacts, and tips for improvement.
GreenBiz and UL Environment recently announced the development of a sustainability certification for business, set for release in 2011 after an open review and feedback process this fall. This draws on over 70 international standards and frameworks, and will employ a point-based system to rank businesses' social, environmental and economic performance.
A recent PricewaterhouseCoopers survey identified the top sustainability issues for businesses: emissions reduction, regulation, energy efficiency and legislation.
Cone released its 2010 Shared Responsibility study, highlighting consumers' top social responsibility concerns, whom they feel has the most influence on a company's practices and their desire for more information from businesses on the impacts of their products, services and operations.
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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