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Welcome to Good Market Info!
Click the logo to return to the Good Market app
Welcome to Good Market Info! Click the logo to return to the Good Market global app.
Welcome to the 43 social enterprises, cooperatives, responsible businesses, civic organizations, and networks that became Good Market approved in May 2023! This month’s roundup includes new community members from Haiti, the United States, Portugal, England, Scotland, Germany, Italy, Botswana, Kenya, Ethiopia, India, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong. More than 2,795 enterprises across 97 countries are now part of the Good Market commons.❤️
Nairobi, Kenya
KickStart International aims to lift millions of people out of poverty quickly, cost-effectively, and sustainably by enabling them to make more money through irrigation. The majority of smallholder farmers in Africa rely on seasonal rains to grow their crops. This leaves household incomes and food security vulnerable to long dry seasons and unreliable rainy seasons, trapping many in a cycle of subsistence and poverty. KickStart designs and markets affordable, durable irrigation tools that enable farmers to manage water year-round, increase incomes, improve food security, and build climate resilience. Their MoneyMaker brand pumps are human-powered and sold in local retail shops in rural areas. The KickStart Innovation Hub in Kenya continuously develops and tests innovative new products and last-mile marketing and distribution solutions to meet the evolving needs of small-scale farmers. They are currently working on a submersible solar pump and a starter pump sprinkler. KickStart International is registered as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. They are part of Catalyst 2030.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
B Lab is working to make business a force for good and transform the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. They are best known for certifying B Corporations, which are companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency, but their tools and programs can help all businesses measure, manage, and improve their impact. The B Impact Assessment and SDG Action Manager are free online resources that can be used by any for-profit business, the Pending B Corp program is for startups and smaller companies, and the B Movement Builders program is for publicly traded multinational companies. B Lab and Sistema B organizations around the world power the movement at the local level. They grow, engage, and mobilize their regional B Corp communities, amplify stories of business as a force for good, support collective action initiatives, and drive policy change to enable the shift from shareholder primacy to stakeholder governance. B Lab Global is registered as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, maintains a balance of philanthropic and earned revenue, and reinvests all surplus towards their mission.
München, Germany
auticon improves the employment prospects of neurodivergent people by building quality technology careers for autistic adults, shifting perceptions of autistic people in the workplace, and providing neurodiversity training and advisory services to clients. They employ technology consultants on the autism spectrum and integrate them into client organizations to provide expertise in software development, data analysis, quality assurance, cybersecurity, and other professional services. auticon technology consultants bring cognitive diversity to clients’ teams. They offer new perspectives on problems, intuitively spot errors, and work with speed, precision, and sustained concentration. Job coaches provide autistic consultants with individualized support and help communicate timelines, manage expectations, resolve needs, and create positive work environments. auticon started in central Europe and now has operations in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Gaborone, Botswana
These Hands empowers and supports a network of grassroots community innovators through a co-creative design process approach and a text message based social network platform. They organize Build It Workshops to teach participants how to make low-cost, useful technologies, Creative Capacity Building Training Workshops for communities facing shared livelihood challenges, and International Development Design Summits that bring together diverse participants to co-create appropriate technologies and ventures with local communities. They also support rural innovation centers, small grant competitions, chapter meetings, cross-border exchange visits, and exhibitions. These Hands focuses on locally available raw materials and reusing or repurposing all waste. Their social network includes an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) platform so that it is accessible in regions with limited internet accessibility. These Hands is part of the International Development Innovation Network, Falling Walls Engage, and the Edmund Hillary Fellowship.
San Francisco, California, United States
Tilli helps children develop the skills they need to stay safe, healthy, and happy. They leverage the power and joy of playful learning and games to make it easy and fun to build core social-emotional learning skills, coping strategies, and mindsets. These include metacognition for self-awareness and emotional regulation, empathy for kinder, healthier, and safer relationships, and critical thinking for real-life problem solving and effective communication. The Tilli Learning Kit and Tilli mobile app can be used at home or in schools. The app reinforces the skills and provides data and personalized tips for teachers and caregivers. Tilli conducts pro bono teacher training and classroom sessions and is partnering with their sister organization, Without Borders, to provide free learning kits to rural learning centers and primary schools in Sri Lanka.
Debre Birhan, Ethiopia
Oxygen Hub is building resilient and sustainable medical oxygen infrastructure across Sub-Saharan Africa. They partner with local entrepreneurs to power the production and distribution of affordable medical oxygen to hospitals and patients in underserved areas. Most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have less than 10 percent of the oxygen volume needed to treat high-burden conditions like pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and neonatal respiratory syndrome. COVID-19 both exacerbated and highlighted this oxygen supply gap. Oxygen Hub is addressing this challenge through a decentralized, hub-and-spoke network of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plants. Their franchise model solves challenges of scale and commercial viability and builds locally-led and locally-owned enterprises that are able to operate quickly and efficiently in their home markets and refill and distribute oxygen cylinders with minimal transport costs and delays. Oxygen Hub emerged from Institute for Transformative Technologies (ITT).
Hawthorne, California, United States
Mychal’s Print and Embroidery provides job training and employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities in southern California. They offer direct-to-garment printing and embroidery on clothing, bags, and hats, digital printing on mugs, coasters, and stickers, and in-house graphic design. They use environmentally responsible water-based inks, reduce waste by printing on demand with no minimum order quantity, and offer discounts to nonprofit organizations. Mychal’s Print and Embroidery is an initiative of Mychal’s Learning Place, which started in 2002 to provide support, training, and opportunities to youth and young adults with developmental disabilities so they can build their independence and pursue their goals and dreams. They offer their After School Programs and Path to Independence Adult Day Programs in Hawthorne and Culver City. Mychal’s uses their platform and their enterprises to educate society about the abilities of individuals with disabilities. They are registered as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization and reinvest all surplus towards their mission.
Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Social Enterprise Scotland is an independent, membership-led organization that unites and represents social enterprises in Scotland. They support members with news, information, and advice, champion and promote social enterprises to the media and the public, and campaign to create a supportive policy environment for social enterprises. Social Enterprise Scotland maintains a directory of members, shares social enterprise job listings, organizes an annual awards event, and maintains online resources. Their Social Enterprise Places program recognizes local areas where social enterprise activity is thriving, and their Buy Social Scotland campaign makes it easier to purchase from Scottish social enterprises. Social Enterprise Scotland works closely with local social enterprise networks, community networks, and business networks across Scotland. They are registered as a Scottish Company Limited by Guarantee and reinvest all profits to support their membership.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Kocoplay produces environmentally responsible handmade pet products that benefit rural communities in Sri Lanka. Their affordable chew toys and enrichment toys are made from natural coconut fiber, support pet health and dental care, and provide an alternative to plastic, rubber, and other synthetic raw materials. Kocoplay has a central warehouse and packing center in rural Chilaw. They supply locally sourced coir to households in multiple nearby villages, collect finished products, and settle payments on a weekly basis. Villagers are able to work from home at their own pace. The warehouse coordinates quality control, labeling, packing, export, and local distribution. Kocoplay has connected these communities with local and international foundations and has coordinated support for families in need. They donate a percentage of sales from local popup events to animal rescue charities.
Oxford, England, United Kingdom
Yellow Submarine supports people with learning disabilities and autism in Oxfordshire to “live life to the full.” They start working with young people from the age of 11 onwards to build social skills, confidence, and independence through activity days, social clubs, and residential holidays. For participants that are ready to transition from education to employment, they offer workplace training through Yellow Submarine Cafes in Oxford and Witney and through Life Changing Bakes, which supplies cakes, cookies, and other baked goods for the cafes and their online shop. Ingredients are sourced from independent local suppliers. Trainees receive individualized support, employability qualifications, and a certificate in food hygiene. They have gone on to thrive in many different work environments. Yellow Submarine also provides training for companies and employers to educate them on how to make adjustments to successfully employ and support an employee with additional needs. They are a registered charity and contribute 100 percent of any surplus towards their mission.
Milano, Italy
E4Impact Foundation empowers passionate African entrepreneurs to build and scale strong, sustainable, and innovative businesses that create jobs and provide solutions to their country’s challenges. They work with an alliance of African universities and Università Cattolica in Milan to offer action-oriented entrepreneurial programs, including a Global MBA in Impact Entrepreneurship, an International Certificate in Entrepreneurship, and customized courses for local executive markets. The courses are provided at affordable prices based on the local context. Scholarships are available for women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs with disabilities. E4Impact also supports incubation and acceleration programs through Entrepreneurship Centers, value chain and economic development projects, and partnerships between African and European companies. Alumni have access to long-term business support, events, networking, and trade opportunities with other impact entrepreneurs. E4Impact is part of Social Value International.
Houston, Texas, United States
Freedom Business Alliance (FBA) is working to end human trafficking, also known as modern slavery, by addressing its economic roots. Traffickers prey on socioeconomic vulnerability, so when survivors escape their exploitative situation, the trauma of being trafficked and the factors that made them vulnerable in the first place, such as a lack of education or employment opportunities, make them vulnerable to retrafficking. A Freedom Business exists to create safe, trauma-informed employment for survivors of human trafficking and those at risk. FBA was created to scale the Freedom Business movement by removing the barriers that no single business can address on its own. They raise awareness about the business solution to human trafficking, provide consulting, coaching, and training, and conduct pioneering research. The Alliance includes business members, partners, allies, collaborators, advocates, and customers and works closely with the broader anti-trafficking movement, including Freedom Collaborative and the Global Learning Community. FBA is registered as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization and reinvests all surplus towards their mission.
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Social Compact aims to ensure dignity and equity for informal workers across industries in India by helping companies identify and address systemic gaps in their worker practices. This multi-stakeholder initiative brings together corporates, worker organizations, and experts into a co-solutioning relationship. Social Compact uses a home-grown, human-centric framework that focuses on six outcome areas: Wages, Occupational Health and Safety, Grievance Redressal, Gender, Future of Work, and Access to Entitlements. The process includes standards, a reflection tool to help companies understand their worker practices better, site visits and group discussions with workers, systems-level recommendations, and a phased plan of action. Companies become part of a community of practice to share risks, learnings, vulnerabilities, and resources, celebrate progress, grow the movement, and mainstream the idea that “responsible business is successful business.” Social Compact is a part of the Living Wage Network and Capitals Coalition Network.
Bristol, England, United Kingdom
Ocean Leash upcycles fishing nets into strong and durable dog leashes to create a sustainable future for both animals and the environment. They are committed to reducing ocean waste, raising awareness about its impact on marine life, and supporting animal welfare initiatives. Their leashes are made in the United Kingdom from discarded trawler nets sourced from local fishing boats. Ocean Welfare donates leashes to dog welfare charities, partners with the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) to educate pet owners and promote animal welfare, and works with Seven Rivers Trust to support river cleanup programs. Ocean Leash reinvests all profits towards their purpose.
Fond-des-Blancs, Haiti
Maison d’Haiti is the brand of Haiti Projects’ Artisanat Cooperative, which was started in 1994 to empower women and their families in rural Haiti toward self-sufficiency. Their team of women artisans creates heirloom quality, embroidered nightgowns, tea towels, lavender sachets, and other handcrafted products in the community of Fond des Blancs. In addition to providing fair trade employment through the cooperative, Haiti Projects supports a community library, a family health clinic, a girls’ soccer club, and a beekeeping project. All proceeds are reinvested towards the community. Haiti Projects is registered as not-for-profit organization in Haiti and the United States and has 501(c)3 status. They are a verified member of Fair Trade Federation.
Hornchurch, England, United Kingdom
Pantry Shelf is a local grocery shop and delivery service that aims to reduce waste and make sustainable living more accessible. They offer refills for dried pantry essentials, environmentally responsible cleaning supplies, and toiletries, zero waste meal jars, and local products in easily compostable or recyclable packaging. Products can be delivered locally with their zero emission electric vans or nationwide with their carbon neutral courier partner. Artisan bread and pastries are available for in-store pickup. Pantry Shelf offers sustainability consulting and works with local businesses to provide refill services, meeting supplies, and gift hampers. They organize workshops, events, community exchange projects, and a local seed swop. Pantry Shelf donates to local charity fundraising raffles and to their local food banks.
Lisboa, Portugal
ESLIDER is an association that promotes, connects, and empowers the social innovation sector in Portugal. They focus on advocacy to include social innovation in the national political agenda, networking to promote knowledge sharing and cooperation, and representation to increase the visibility of Portuguese social innovation nationally and internationally. The association includes individual social entrepreneurs, social innovation organizations that actively contribute to solving social and environmental challenges, and mission-aligned organizations that want to contribute to the growth of Portuguese social innovation even if social mission is not at their core. ESLIDER represents Portugal in the EUCLID Network, the largest European network of social enterprises and impact leaders.
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Karmann offers handmade housewares and accessories and creates sustainable livelihood pathways for people with special needs. The brand emerged from the Mann Center for Individuals with Special Needs, which provides skills training and fosters independence and employment for young adults with Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in the Mumbai area. Karmann employs Mann graduates with skills and interests in the crafts of patchwork, quilting, embroidery, and appliqué. Products are made from sustainably sourced materials, including upcycled and block print fabrics. They specialize in personalized designs, custom wholesale orders, corporate gifts, and hampers. Karmann provides an example of an inclusive workplace and helps open opportunities for supported employment and mainstream employment of people with disabilities.
London, England, United Kingdom
Peter Jones Foundation was established to encourage, educate and empower young people in Britain to achieve their potential. Their Foundation for Enterprise provides young people in underserved communities and underrepresented groups with the enterprise skills and experience to better prepare them for successful employment or self-employment. They partner with schools and colleges to offer accredited entrepreneurship courses and qualifications, including their flagship Peter Jones Enterprise Academy. They also organize Tycoon, a national enterprise competition for students aged 6 to 18. Every participating team writes a business plan, is lent money, starts a business, and trades. Enterprise alumni have access to mentoring and other support services. In addition to these direct programs, the Peter Jones Foundation for Children works with charity partners to reduce poverty and suffering for young people in the United Kingdom and around the world.
Augsburg, Germany
MARVIC EuropaVerde focuses on the ecological cultivation and distribution of moringa and other agricultural products from Cuba. Moringa is promoted as a nutrient-dense superfood and source of plant-based protein. MARVIC offers moringa leaves, powder, oil, seeds, tablets, and capsules. Their partner in Cuba maintains fair trade relationships with farmers, creates employment opportunities, and promotes environmentally responsible techniques, including the use of beneficial microorganisms, and biodiversity conservation.
Glendale, Arizona, United States
SW Grilled Coffee roasts ethically sourced specialty coffee in Arizona with a focus on reducing environmental impact and contributing to a more sustainable future. They work with a fair trade supplier, prioritize beans that are organic and shade grown, and grill-roast to minimize energy use. SW Grilled Coffee avoids single-use plastic. Their cups, lids, straws, napkins, and cup sleeves are certified compostable, and their packaging is recyclable. Waste is segregated and either recycled or composted through Recycled City. SW Grilled Coffee uses solar electricity at their roasting location and partners with Carbon Offsets to Alleviate Poverty (COTAP) to reduce and offset their carbon footprint. For every pound of coffee sold, they donate one dollar to the Grand Canyon Trust to safeguard the Colorado Plateau and support the rights of its native peoples. SW Grilled Coffee uses their platform to raise awareness about sustainability issues. They are a certified Arizona Green Business and a member of Local First Arizona.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Berendina started in 1987 in Sri Lanka to empower individuals, transform communities, and create an equitable society where poverty does not exist. Their development services arm focuses on drinking water, sanitation, housing, health, community infrastructure, youth employment, strengthening civil society organizations, and advocacy. Their microfinance arm ensures that unbanked and underprivileged people have access to quality, responsible, innovative microfinance and enterprise development services at the lowest possible cost. They provide business investment, cultivation, and asset-building loans through more than 30 branches in rural areas and plantation communities. Berendina established Ekade.lk as an ecommerce platform for rural entrepreneurs with a focus on environmentally responsible products make from local raw materials like palmyrah, cane, coconut, and bamboo. Berendina Micro Investments Company (BMIC) is owned by Berendina Development Services (BDS), a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. All surplus is reinvested towards their mission.
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Desert Provisions supplies specialty foods from the Sonoran Desert region while working to preserve its rich habitat. Their salts, spices, and seasoning blends are made from Sea of Cortez salt and chiles from local farms in Hatch, New Mexico. They volunteer at local organizations like Mission Garden, contribute products to Caridad Kitchen, a subsidiary of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, and donate to the preservation, stewardship, and restoration of the region’s natural environment. Desert Provisions is recognized for supporting the local food economy, keeping food heritage alive, and maintaining sustainable, ethical, and community-minded business practices. They are a Tucson City of Gastronomy Certified Food Artisan and a member of 1% for the Planet.
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Bagel Rescue reduces food waste and supports hunger relief in the metro Atlanta area by connecting restaurants with excess food to neighbors in need. Their volunteers collect unsold bagels from dozens of partner bakeries and deliver them to more than 100 agencies that work to combat food insecurity. This includes shelters, food pantries, youth programs, senior centers, addiction recovery facilities, extended-stay hotels, food co-ops, street outreach efforts, and frontline workers. Bagel Rescue is registered as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization and is powered by volunteers and community support.
Kandy, Sri Lanka
Child Action Lanka aims to transform the lives of disadvantaged children in Sri Lanka through a holistic, sustainable, community-based approach. They started in 2006 with a rented basement space in Kandy and now operate 8 child development centers throughout the country that focus on education, health and nutrition, and child rights and protection. Child Action Lanka provides extra tuition, school supplies, scholarships, a mobile school for street kids, healthy meals, medical camps, counseling and therapy, safe homes, shelters, awareness programs, and start-up business support for women. They receive community contributions and generate income through a secondhand goods shop, a cafe, and their WRAP line of housewares and accessories made from donated upcycled sarees.
Hong Kong
Piccolo offers environmentally responsible toys to spark children’s creativity and imagination and give back to the community. Their natural baby toys, kids’ toys, bowls, and plates are handmade in Europe from sustainably sourced wood. Their Elba crayons are made from rice wax and natural pigments and are palm oil and soy free. The rice wax comes from rice bran, a byproduct of the rice milling process. Piccolo Toys donates to Love The Oceans, a charity in Jangamo Bay, Mozambique, that focuses on marine conservation through research, education, and community outreach programs.
Clarkdale, Arizona, United States
Virgin Cheese produces vegan artisanal cheeses from organic and non-GMO ingredients to provide a delicious, healthy, environmentally responsible alternative to animal agriculture. Their cheeses are cashew milk based and traditionally cultured, ripened, or aged. Virgin Cheese is available through their Clarkdale storefront, popup events, and a growing network of retail partners and online grocers. They also offer picnic and gift baskets, demos, workshops, deluxe cheeseboards, and wine and cheese events. Virgin Cheese uses their platform to raise awareness about the negative impacts of animal agriculture on the planet and the human body. They donate to animal rescue organizations, vegan activism, and grow-your-own-food initiatives, and they are investing in the development of a regenerative farm.
Boralanda, Sri Lanka
Samanala Farm produces handmade artisanal teas and herbal infusions and creates rural employment opportunities in the Uva region of Sri Lanka. Products include wangedi pekoe, a traditional local tea made with a mortar and pestle, hand-rolled green tea, silver tips, and jasmine tea flowers. They also offer tea garden tours and tea tasting experiences. Samanala Farm composts and recycles waste, minimizes energy consumption, and prioritizes environmentally responsible packaging. They support rural village schools and partner with Uva Wellassa University on annual tree-planting campaigns.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Rehabilitation Centre for the Communication Impaired (RCCI) provides training and support to children and adults with special needs in Sri Lanka so they can expand their opportunities, reach their full potential for independence, and lead inclusive and fulfilled lives. Each student has an individual education plan with activities based on their specific needs. RCCI offers a school readiness program for children aged 4 to 7 to build foundation skills for the classroom, vocational training and work readiness programs to prepare young adults to enter the workforce, and life skills programs to support independent living. Speech and language therapy are incorporated into all programs, and financial support is provided for families that are unable to pay. RCCI also offers art and drama classes, music and movement therapy, counseling and support for caregivers, and training programs for teachers, social workers, medical professionals, and employers seeing to create inclusive workplaces. They organize charity book sales and the sale of students’ handmade products. All profits are used to benefit the special needs community. RCCI is part of the National Action and Coordination Group, a network for child protection in Sri Lanka.
Tucson, Arizona, United States
5th Dimension Foods creates gluten-free vegan treats from nutrient-dense, organic ingredients that support health and wellbeing. Their flagship energy bars contain activated nuts, hemp protein, medicinal mushrooms, spirulina, maca, lucuma, carob, cacao, local mesquite, and other superfood ingredients. All products are free from fillers, additives, preservatives, processed sugars, and common allergens like dairy, soy, wheat, and other grains. 5th Dimension Foods provides cooking classes and wellness programs to help people prepare their own food and address health challenges. They are part of Startup Tucson.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Eco-Baccha produces naturally dyed kids’ clothing to create a safe and healthy environment for our children. They specialize in pure cotton T-shirts colored with sustainably sourced madder, indigo, sappan wood, pomegranate, marigold, and other plant-based natural materials. All products are hand-dyed by local artisans. Eco-Baccha offers natural dye workshops and uses their platform to raise awareness about sustainability issues. They are part of WConnect Ahmedabad.
Hertford, England, United Kingdom
Iris & Lolli creates environmentally responsible jewelry that is inspired by nature and handmade in Hertfordshire. Each unique piece is cast from a real, natural object to capture the beauty of nature for the wearer to treasure forever. They use recycled metals, collect all scraps and filings to be reused as silver clay, and offer products in plastic-free, recycled, and recyclable packaging. Iris & Lolli partners with Ecologi to plant a tree for every sale.
Tucson, Arizona, United States
Agave Pantry offers handcrafted artisanal food and ceramics from the earth and for the earth. They specialize in baked goods, caramels, culinary salts, spice blends, and infused sugars made from organic and sustainably sourced ingredients. This includes locally sourced raw honey, naturally grown citrus from local family farms, and chiltepins from the Northern Jaguar Project, which is working to protect jaguars in the Sonoran desert. Their salts, sugars, and spices are packaged in reusable glass containers, which are collected for sterilization and reuse. Agave Pantry collaborates with other artists and makers in the Tucson community.
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Shamba AZ is an urban farm in Phoenix, Arizona, that focuses on inspiring people to regain control of their food supply and improve their health and wellbeing. They deliver nutrient-dense fresh produce to their customers within hours of harvesting. Shamba AZ specializes in microgreens, which require 90 percent less water than traditional agriculture. They also offer grow kits and value-added products like microgreens juice and microgreens salt. Shamba AZ supplies local food banks.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Mahvash Mohtadullah aims to make reading fun for children and breathe life into social issues by presenting them in story form. Writings include educational children’s books written in verse, collections of poems and essays, The Roaming Desi blog, and contemporary fiction that centers on female South Asian characters dealing with the challenges of traditions, norms, and biases. Children’s books are sold at cost to increase accessibility.
Chandler, Arizona, United States
Raul’s Cocina offers vegan Mexican cuisine that draws on a family legacy of Phoenix Mexican restaurants going back to 1964. They are perfecting plant-based, gluten-free versions of traditional dishes. Popular options include slow-cooked jackfruit ropa vieja, heart of palm ceviche, green corn tamales, and fire-roasted salsa. Raul’s Cocina prioritizes organic and locally sourced ingredients and works out of a community kitchen. They support Barrio Bookmobile, which provides children and teens with free books to foster a lifelong love of reading, and AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute, which supports college-bound high school students.
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Emilie Nicole creates handmade jewelry in Saint John, New Brunswick from reclaimed secondhand materials. They source unwanted jewelry from local donors and sellers and extract and reuse the beads, clasps, and other components. Each unique piece helps reduce resource use and waste. Emilie Nicole Jewelry is in the process of transitioning to biodegradable packaging. They participate in community markets and encourage people to support local.
Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Green Apron aims to create rural employment opportunities and make healthy, organically grown food more accessible in Sri Lanka. They grow salad greens, herbs, edible flowers, gooseberries, and other specialty crops. The team has been converting conventional agricultural land to organic through the use of beneficial microorganisms. They produce their own organic inputs on-site, and they are developing vertical farming and hydroponic techniques to maximize space and enable year-round production. They share best practices with the surrounding community and provide interest-free loans to workers who have been employed for more than a year.
Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka
Mathura produces healthy and affordable natural food using ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients from small-scale farmers in northern Sri Lanka. They specialize in cold-pressed oils, spice blends, ghee, paneer, and other dairy products. Mathura promotes sustainable agriculture practices to protect the environment, ensure animal welfare and support the health and wellbeing of future generations. They visit the farmers to make sure synthetic agrichemicals are not used on fodder or food crops. Mathura donates to Heartfulness Sri Lanka and conducts free classes and workshops in rural villages on meditation, healthy living, and addiction prevention.
Piliyandala, Sri Lanka
Doni makes it easier to access ethically and sustainably sourced traditional Sri Lankan foods. They specialize in fresh buffalo curd from producers in Southern Province and pure kithul palm treacle and jaggery from producers in Sabaragamuwa Province. Doni visits suppliers, pays fair prices, and ensures quality, animal welfare, and environmental standards are maintained. They use biodegradable clay pots, reusable glass bottles, coconut palm carriers, and wooden spoons to minimize plastic waste. Clay pots are crushed before disposal to prevent the creation of mosquito breeding grounds. Doni donates a portion of all profits to a children’s home in Moratuwa. They also work with supplier communities to provide food and school supplies to families in need.
Pannipitiya, Sri Lanka
Kicovera produces natural beverages in Sri Lanka from locally sourced king coconut, aloe vera, ginger, lemon juice, and lime juice. The drinks are high in electrolytes and free from additives and preservatives. Kicovera composts plant waste, avoids single use plastics, and packs their products in reusable glass bottles. They sponsor recycling collection points and plan to support local beach cleanups.
Hemmathagama, Sri Lanka
Sanelto offers black pepper sauce and other value-added spice products to improve health and benefit rural producers. They source black pepper, goraka, tamarind, ginger, nutmeg, and other raw materials from small-scale farmers in Aranayake, Hemamathagama, and Debathgama that follow environmentally responsible practices. Sanelto uses a portion of their proceeds to donate food to children’s homes, elder’s homes, and local families in need.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Riverside Kitchen uses natural, locally sourced Sri Lankan ingredients to create nutritious meals and snacks from around the world. They educate customers about the importance of healthy eating and sustainable food choices, and they actively support local farmers and suppliers that prioritize organic farming methods, biodiversity, and soil health. Riverside Kitchen donates 10 percent of profits to a Methodist Girls Home in Badulla.