Business Network News

April 7, 2009

Obama nominates Organic Advocate

President Obama nominated Kathleen Merrigan to the number two position at the Department of Agriculture. Merrigan, a board member of the Organic Center and director of the Center on Agriculture, Food, and Environment at Tufts University, promises to be a powerful ally on the Hill.

In her role at the Organic Center Merrigan has advanced scientific research on the health and environmental benefits of organic agriculture and products. Earlier this year, Food Democracy Now! nominated her for a spot in the new administration in their “Sustainable Dozen” list that named strong candidates to head up the department.

Honest Tea's TeaEO Joins Calvert Foundation Board of Directors

Seth Goldman, President and TeaEO of Honest Tea, has joined Calvert Foundations Board of Directors.

“It is Seth’s dedication to responsible and sustainable practices that drew him to our Board of Directors. We are thrilled to have such a visionary executive on our Board,” said Shari Berenbach, President and CEO of Calvert Foundation. “He really gets our model—and shows a great personal commitment to sustainability and community. He exemplifies the type of business leader we hope to attract as investors and supporters.”

Honest Tea has gained other recognition with Obama in the White House. It was reported that his favorite beverage is Honest Tea Black Forest Berry.

Seth Goldman is a frequent presenter at Green America's Green Festivals and Green Business Conferences.

Learn more about Calvert Foundation »

Van Jones Goes to the White House!

Van Jones, founder of Green for All, and longtime supporter of Green America, was appointed by President Obama as the Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation with the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

Jones will direct the administration’s efforts to simultaneously create green jobs and protect the environment. Jones believes that the focus on the green jobs movement will greatly benefit from Obama’s recovery package, and sets his sights on increasing job opportunities in the upcoming federal climate legislation. “To be successful, the green justice forces need to be able to work from the bottom-up and the top-down,” Jones said about his new position. “Now we will be much better able to - on both fronts.”

In 2007, Jones established Green for All, a national organization that works on providing green jobs to lift people out of poverty. He wrote the New York Times best-seller "The Green Collar Economy." Jones has been a frequent contributor to the Green Festivals and Green Business Conferences.

Replacing Jones at Green For All is Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, who has led the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council and Working Partnerships USA. She brings a wealth of knowledge from her career working with labor, elected officials, business leaders, and green activists to win real community change. She helped to expand healthcare access across California and won two raises for the minimum wage in the South Bay area. Jones describes her as “a true superstar—widely recognized as one of America’s most brilliant, creative, and successful social justice leaders.”

ECOBAGS announces Green Fundraiser

In honor of their 20th anniversary, pioneer green business ECOBAGS has launched ECOBAGS for GOOD, a program that offers non-profits, schools, and community organizations an environmentally-friendly way to raise funds. Groups can conduct fundraisers with responsibly-produced, earth-friendly ECOBAGS.COM products using their new fundraising kit. You can also customize totes, bottles, and produce bags with your organization’s logo.

Learn more at www.ecobagsforgood.com » 914.944.4556 x102 or e-mail

Announcing easy way to get Eco-Packaging

Salazar Packaging, a sustainable packaging distributor, has launched an e-commerce website offering a range of high quality green packaging products. They will donate one percent of online purchases to 1% For the Planet to support environmental organizations.

With thirty years of experience in the industry, Salazar Packaging created GlobeGuardProducts to offer entrepreneurs and small to medium size companies sustainable packaging materials at a reasonable price. “Our store’s tagline is ‘Eco Friendly Packaging You Can Trust’, and we mean it,” said company president Dennis Salazar. “We thoroughly research Globe Guard® products before adding them to our line, so customers can be assured of getting real quality, not ‘greenwashing’ and hype.”

Order packaging »

Sweet Beginnings Featured on Chicago TV

Chicago-based Sweet Beginnings, which markets natural honey-based personal care products, was featured on FOX nextTV.

Sweet Beginnings is a job training program for the formerly incarcerated, teaching skills of urban bee-keeping and production in Chicago’s south side. The business was featured at the 2008 Green Business Conference and won the 2007 Social Venture Network’s Innovation Award.

nextTV is a weekly program that showcases African-Americans’ personal and professional transformations as they grow their careers and discover the tools to achieve financial security.

Learn more »

"On the Green Front" Launches

Veteran broadcaster Betsy Rosenberg, president of Green Front Productions and past host of "EcoTalk" on AirAmerica, is returning to radio with a new program: "On the Green Front." She will interview leaders on the forefront of green business trends, green building, media, grassroots activism, writing, and green policy.

Listen to On the Green Front»
Thursdays at 1:00 PST | 4:00 EST

PortionPac wins Illinois Pollution Prevention Award

PortionPac launched its environmental program in 1964 and this year won recognition from the State of Illinois for Pollution Prevention for helping schools, hotels, and hospitals eliminate waste. They were praised for a number of their programs—including switching their fleet to hybrid and clean diesel technology; encouraging their employees to enlist in Live Neutral’s vehicle carbon offset program, and joining the Waste to Profit Network, a program which has transformed over 67,000 tons of corporations’ waste into raw material for other manufacturers.

Learn more about the award»
and portionpaccorp.com»

Consolidated Printing takes top Environmental Printing Award

The Printing Industries of America recognized Chicago’s Marilyn Jones, president and owner of Consolidated Printing Company with the 2008 William D. Schaeffer Environmental Award.

Established in 1990 as a tribute to environmental pioneer Dr. William Schaeffer, the award honors an individual who has made significant contributions towards environmentally sound practices in the printing industry.

For thirty-five years at Consolidated Printing, Jones has remained true to her company’s mission to provide high-quality printing services with zero impact on the environment. She has focused on eliminating toxic chemicals in the printing process and employs an all-vegetable process, which is free of petroleum and carcinogens.

Consolidated Printing has received recognition from three Illinois governors and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. Consolidated Printing is a member of the Chicago Green Festival Host Committee.

For your printing needs»

Celebrating People of Color in the Green Movement

Conscious Planet Media announces their new channel The Soul of Green, which features the stories of people of color who are greening their lives, communities, and the planet. The channel premiered with Majora Carter, founder of Sustainable South Bronx and co-founder of Green For All.

Conscious Planet Media also produces Conscious Living TV, an online lifestyle show highlighting the latest in earth-friendly, sustainable living.

The Soul of Green»
Conscious Living TV»

Applications Open for Eileen Fisher 2009 Women’s Business Grant

EILEEN FISHER clothing company embraces responsible and sustainable business practices. Through an annual grant program for women entrepreneurs, the company provides growth funds to innovative, socially conscious, woman-owned businesses.

Five grants of $10,000 each will be awarded in the fall following a competitive review process. Applications are due on June 1, 2009. Contact Cheryl Campbell with questions.

Two of the 2008 winners were Twisted Limb Paperworks and Simply Neutral .

Company founder Eileen Fisher passionately agrees that now is the time to instill confidence in woman entrepreneurs. “Women have supported the company since the beginning, and have been essential to my success, both personally and professionally,” says Eileen. “Due to their support, the company is in a good position to give back and continuing this grant program feels like the right thing to do.”

“With the credit market tightening and small businesses finding it increasingly difficult to secure financing, it is important to support woman entrepreneurs more than ever,” says Amy Hall, director of social consciousness at EILEEN FISHER. “We’ve heard past recipients tell us the check arrived just as their business was moving to the next level and the grant has been a bridge to their future success.”

Learn more and apply»

Tastybaby Donates Baby Food

Liane Weintrab and Shannan Swanson of Tastybaby have launched “Baby Food Bail-Out Tour” offering free cases of organic, gluten-free baby food to families in need in Southern California.

According to the owners, “At five stops we delivered over 500 cases of baby food to deserving families….we hope this inspires other companies to follow our lead. The time is now for everyone to step up.”

To learn more»