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Listen to this articleOn December 14, 2017, the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts (SBN) will host the 16th Annual Winter Gala at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA. SBN will be presenting the Third Annual Sustainable Business of the Year awards to recognize the commitment of businesses to building a more sustainable, local and fair economy.
SBN is pleased to announce the following award recipients:
- Equal Exchange – Mid-Sized Business, Eastern Massachusetts
- Preserve – Seasoned Small Business, Eastern Massachusetts
- Bon Me – Budding Small Business, Eastern Massachusetts
- PeoplesBank – Mid-Sized Business, Western Massachusetts
- Real Pickles – Small Business, Western Massachusetts
Equal Exchange – Mid-Sized Business, Eastern Massachusetts
Equal Exchange’s mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and consumers and to demonstrate, through their success, the contribution of worker co-operatives and Fair Trade to a more equitable, democratic and sustainable world. SBN Executive Director Laury Hammel stated: “Equal Exchange is a pioneering venture that has had a worldwide impact from so many important angles: Fair Trade, worker-ownership, and the triple bottom line. The original vision of the three founders has continued to thrive over the years and it has evolved in magical ways that ultimately have resulted in making a positive difference in communities all around the world and teaching sustainable businesses profound lessons.”
Preserve – Seasoned Small Business, Eastern Massachusetts
Preserve, a certified B Corporation is the leading maker of performance-driven and stylish 100% recycled household products. Preserve is powered by the recycling efforts of individuals and companies collecting #5 plastic—such as yogurt cups and other common household containers—via Preserve’s Gimme 5 program. The Gimme 5 program collects and transforms #5 plastics into new Preserve products. All recycling and manufacturing is done in the USA.
Their mission is to help reduce the harm caused by the industrial age by demonstrating that consumer products can be both fabulous and lighter on the earth.
Bon Me – Budding Small Business, Eastern Massachusetts
Bon Me is run by Boston-bred duo Patrick Lynch and Ali Fong. The business was born in 2010 when the two decided to enter the City of Boston’s Food Truck Contest on a whim and surprised themselves by winning. Their cuisine is both accessible and accommodating. Bon Me uses high-quality products and seeks to perfect recipes to serve unique and flavorful meals every day with as many made from scratch ingredients as possible. Additionally, 90% of their packaging is compostable and in 2015, they diverted 132 cubic yards of food from the landfill. Bon Me has also joined the fight for $15 movement, provides food service skill training, and over 50% of their management is comprised of women!
PeoplesBank – Mid-Size Business, Western Massachusetts
Through their commitment and actions to support environmental sustainability, PeoplesBank believes that they can make the region a healthier place to live, work and raise a family. PeoplesBank started financing sustainable energy several years ago by helping Holyoke Gas & Electric replace its hydroelectric generators, a sustainable energy source that actually provides electric power for three of their offices. PeoplesBank opened its third LEED® Gold-certified office in Northampton this 2013. Their LEED® Silver-certified office in Springfield opened in 2010 and was awarded the city of Springfield’s GreenSeal because of its innovation and that it was the first building of that type in the city. Their LEED® Gold-certified office in West Springfield opened in 2011 and was the first green building in that community.
Real Pickles – Small Business, Western Massachusetts
Real Pickles is committed to promoting human and ecological health by providing people with delicious, nourishing food and by working toward a regional, organic food system. The company purchases all of their vegetables, herbs, and spices from 8 organic family farms located in the Northeast.
