Karena Lawson of Lawson's Finest Liquids delivers Sunshine Fund support to a past nonprofit recipient. (Photo courtesy of Lawson's Finest Liquids)
VBSR Member News Round Up – 8/2/23
Lawson’s Finest Liquids: The Sunshine Fund at Champion Member Lawson’s Finest Liquids allows the brewer to harness the generosity of guest donations with the goal of advancing thriving local communities. In lieu of taproom tips, Sunshine Fund recipients – made up of local nonprofits – benefit from that guest generosity. The application for 2024 recipients of the Sunshine Fund is now open and will be accepted until August 31, 2023). Eligibility details and more are here.
High Fidelity Vermont: Episode 1 of Season 3 of the High Fidelity Vermont podcast recently dropped and it’s a compelling listen. The cleaning and sanitizing industry has a reputation for not being greenest of spaces – but green technology leaders like EcoLogic Solutions are changing that. Hear how EcoLogic Solutions – the only certified B Corp in their business class – is using its experience with clients like Google, Aramark, Bright Farms and the City of New York to pivot into agriculture, including the cannabis industry. Learn more and listen here.
Norwich Solar Technologies: Greenway Institute, a White River Junction nonprofit that offers sustainable engineering education, plans to purchase a large chunk of VCFA’s Montpelier campus for a new sustainable engineering education program. The new Greenway Center is a joint project that includes VBSR Gold Member Norwich Solar Technologies and will be supported by a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation. Learn more here.
Business Culture Consultants: Business Culture Consultants recently announced that it is a Certified B Corp for another three-year term. This is the fourth re-certification process the company has successfully completed. Business Culture Consultants was the fifth Vermont B Corp – which now number ~48 – and is in its twenty-third year of operation. Flip Brown, the Founder and Owner, stated, “The Certified B Corp process is rigorous and demanding, however I am always humbled that my commitment to racial equity, climate justice, and a stakeholder economy has been verified by an independent third-party.” Learn more here.
Vermont Fresh Network: Two Vermont cannabis producers have become the first to bridge the gap between the state’s newborn cannabis industry into the realm of Vermont specialty foods as new members of the Vermont Fresh Network (VFN). VFN has classified the two cannabis businesses as “Specialty Producers”: specialty food and beverage makers, processors using primarily local ingredients.”Cannabis is a growing sector in Vermont agriculture that relies entirely on local partnerships,” said VFN Executive Director, Tara Pereira. “It naturally aligns with Vermont Fresh Network’s mission.” Learn more here.
Vermont Glove and VEIC/Efficiency Vermont: Vermont Glove owner Sam Hooper employs 12 people to stitch goatskin at his factory in Randolph, but the workers often have trouble finding a place to live. Last year, Hooper decided to help and began to look for a building he could transform into apartments. With the help of partners like Champion Member VEIC/Efficiency Vermont he was able to create new housing while also taking action on climate change. Learn more here.
The Alchemist: Stowe Area Association (SAA; known as “Go Stowe”), the region’s official destination leadership organization, recently announced a new strategic vision in response to the growing need to balance the local visitor economy with the well-being of the community, including sustainable tourism and building an inclusive community. Jen Kimmich, co-owner of Champion Member The Alchemist, noted: “We decided to join [SAA] because of their recent commitment to building a more welcoming and inclusive place to visit and live. The SAA team shares our values and understands the economic importance of building and supporting a business community that works for everyone.” Learn more here.
Vermont Federal Credit Union: For the fourth year in a row, Gold Member Vermont Federal Credit Union was recently named in the Forbes list of Best-In-State Credit Unions 2023. This prestigious award is presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. Learn more here.
