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Welcome to Good Market Info! Click the logo to return to the Good Market global app.
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 26 social enterprises and responsible businesses that joined the Good Market community in December 2018! This month’s roundup includes community-supported environmental organizations, purpose-driven photographers and videographers, an online supermarket for social enterprises, a responsible travel retreat, and much more. In December, there were new community members from the Maldives, United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Nicaragua, and Sri Lanka bringing the total to 802. See them all at www.goodmarket.global.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Environmental Foundation Ltd (EFL) focuses on justice for nature. Since 1981, EFL has supported conservation and protection in Sri Lanka through legal and scientific means. They have handled over 2,500 environmental complaints from Sri Lankan citizens, filed more than 250 court cases, and carried out site visits, inspections, and research projects to address environmental degradation and support affected communities. EFL also releases publications, offers workshops, and organizes awareness campaigns and events. Their internship program helps develop the next generation of Sri Lankan environmentalists. EFL operates as a not-for-profit organization and is supported by local donations.
https://efl.goodmarket.global
Anamaduwa, Sri Lanka
The Mudhouse is a travel retreat in Sri Lanka’s intermediate dry zone with social and environmental responsibility at its core. They offer private accommodation in clusters of uniquely designed natural huts spread throughout the forest. The Mudhouse started with a half acre plot in 2005 and is now the custodian of nearly 50 acres. Locally guided excursions and activities are included in the price of a stay. Options include bird watching, cycling, kayaking, lake picnics, nature walks, cooking lessons, visits to ancient archaeological sites in the area, and participating in organic farming activities. Most of the produce used in the kitchen is grown on the property, and waste is recycled into compost. The Mudhouse aims to create as much local employment and benefit as possible. The majority of the team comes from the nearby village.
https://themudhouse.goodmarket.global
Houston, United States
Gentry Faith Films offers ethical media production, communications consulting, and documentary storytelling services to marginalized people and the organizations that serve them. The content they produce raises awareness about movements around the globe working for social and environmental change and encourages viewers to join the conversation and take action. Gentry Faith Films reinvests profits into pro bono media projects for NGOs and non-profits and donates 10 percent to local organizations in Houston, Texas that are fighting human trafficking and supporting refugees.
https://gentryfaithfilms.goodmarket.global
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Elephant Jazz was started to address the elephant conservation crisis in Sri Lanka. In the last 5 years, Sri Lanka has lost more than 2,000 wild elephants, including many young elephants that died from malnutrition and starvation. Elephant Jazz clothing and merchandise sales raise awareness and support the Centre for Conservation and Research. CCR’s wild elephant conservation strategy is based on long-term observation of human-elephant conflict and local herd dynamics and expands conservation efforts beyond protected areas. Their mission is to ensure the survival of healthy elephant populations in Sri Lanka.
https://elephantjazz.goodmarket.global
London, United Kingdom
Social Supermarket is an online marketplace that makes it easier for consumers to purchase quality products from social enterprises that are tackling important social and environmental challenges. They offer a comprehensive selection of food, drinks, body care, clothing, accessories, and housewares and offset the carbon footprint of product deliveries through UN verified carbon offset programs. Social Supermarket is a member of Social Enterprise UK.
https://socialsupermarket.goodmarket.global
Malé, Maldives
Maldives Authentic Crafts Cooperative Society (MACCS) is a women-led cooperative that promotes and markets authentic Maldivian crafts. They provide handicraft training to distant island communities and support the conservation of natural materials used in traditional crafts including the reeds used in thundu kunaa mat weaving. MACCS ensures that crafts are locally made and artisans are paid fair prices.
https://maccs.goodmarket.global
Matagalpa, Nicaragua
El Castillo del Cacao is Nicaragua’s first commercial chocolate factory. It was started in 2005 in Matagalpa near the cacao growing areas of Matiguás and Waslala. Previously, cacao from these areas was going to waste, and the only chocolate in the market was imported. Now, El Castillo del Cacao sells high quality natural chocolate bars throughout Central America. They focus on sustainable livelihoods and environmentally responsible practices. El Castillo del Cacao promotes biodiversity by introducing water retention sites for insects, frogs, and birds and planting species that reduce soil erosion or attract local butterflies.
https://elcastillodelcacao.goodmarket.global
Deltota, Sri Lanka
Bawlana Organic is a farmer society with nine members in Sri Lanka’s hill country. Their mission is to promote sustainable development in their village through organic agriculture. They primarily cultivate upcountry vegetables like carrot, leek, beetroot, potato, broccoli, cabbage, green beans, and salad greens. The Bawlana Organic Farmers’ Society is verified under an organic participatory guarantee system (PGS).
https://bawlanaorganic.goodmarket.global
London, United Kingdom
The Social Founder Network connects, supports and promotes founders of social enterprises and charities. Through training programs, conferences, and events, they offer a mix of practical and personal support, connections, information and inspiration. The Social Founder Network also provides media and communications support. They share social founder stories to inform and inspire wider audiences.
https://socialfoundernetwork.goodmarket.global
Maharagama, Sri Lanka
Vikki is a designer brand that creates clothing, accessories, and lifestyle products from locally sourced natural dyes. They use cultivated plants, food waste from hotels and vegetable markets, and flower waste from temples. For example, tea and avocado seed are used to produce browns and pinks, turmeric is used to produce yellow, carrot tops and flowers are used to produce greens, and butterfly pea flower is used to produce blues. Vikki aims to raise awareness about environmentally responsible fashion.
https://vikki.goodmarket.global
Erfurt, Germany
Hamish John Appleby is a professional photographer who prioritizes organizations and businesses with a social purpose or environmentally responsible practices. He specializes in photography for hotels, villas, spas, food enterprises, non-profit organizations, and events. Hamish John Appleby Photography is based out of Germany, Sri Lanka, and Australia but is available for assignments worldwide.
https://hamishjohnappleby.goodmarket.global
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Sebastco specializes in simple, vegan footwear made from 80% natural and sustainably sourced materials including coconut fiber, natural latex rubber, and cotton fabric. They are currently looking for local alternatives to synthetic foam and aim to transition to organic certified cotton. To minimize waste, the slippers are packed in an unbleached cotton bag which can be used for travel or storage. Sebastco has committed 10 percent of profits to community empowerment initiatives.
https://sebastco.goodmarket.global
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Federation of Environmental Organizations (FEO) is an umbrella organization for the conservation community in Sri Lanka. It helps members share knowledge and expertise, coordinate on issues of common concern, and protect the environment as a unified group. They have organized awareness programs, advocacy campaigns, cleanups, and events. FEO offers environmental education programs for national park guides and jeep drivers.
https://feosl.goodmarket.global
Malabe, Sri Lanka
Peekoh specializes in small-batch, hand-blended teas sourced from fair trade and environmentally certified tea gardens. Most tea is stored in warehouses for months. Peekoh works directly with tea growers and purchases the day after harvest to ensure maximum health benefits. Peekoh is committed to natural, environmentally responsible products. They do not use any artificial oils in their flavored teas or any plastic in their packaging.
https://peekoh.goodmarket.global
Embulgama, Sri Lanka
Priyadi was started by a woman entrepreneur to make it easier for people to access and prepare traditional Sri Lankan foods with natural health benefits. Traditional diets of indigenous herbs, yams, grains, fruits, and vegetables helped people live long and healthy lives. Priyadi has developed a product range to address the health issues created by a modern diet. They offer easy-to-prepare blends of nutritious natural ingredients including kirikos, whole grain roti flour, lotus seed porridge, cinnamon tea, kohila flour porridge, heen bovitiya porridge, karapincha powder, goraka, kithul flour porridge, monarakudumbiya porridge, welpenela porridge, and other herbal preparations.
https://priyadi.goodmarket.global
Matara, Sri Lanka
Wild Rabbits produces flavorful natural vegetable spreads with no added sugar and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. They focus on responsible local sourcing and making healthy vegan food options more accessible. The initial range includes Carrot with Spice, Beetroot with Kochi, Pumpkin with Garlic, and Pumpkin with Peanut. Wild Rabbits products can be used on bread as a substitute for butter, sugary jams, and imported spreads.
https://wildrabbits.goodmarket.global
Labukele, Sri Lanka
Relish was started to provide healthy farm-to-consumer products. They source directly from small-scale farmers in the Labukele area and work with them to transition to sustainable agriculture practices. Relish juices and smoothies are made with no artificial preservatives or other additives.
https://relish.goodmarket.global
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Inanna Holistic Healing works with clients to develop their mental and physical health and spirituality. They offer reiki and seichim healing, energy shifting, and intuitive reading. They also provide healthy vegan food, herbal teas, and oils made out of locally sourced organic ingredients. Inanna Holistic Healing donates a portion of all profits to the Arulagam children’s home in Vavuniya and to the plastic free movement.
https://inannaholistichealing.goodmarket.global
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Garlyn Ceylon specializes in golden king coconut oil for natural skin and hair care. The oil is vegan, unrefined, and made from a special variety of coconut called ran thambili. Garlyn Ceylon aims to promote cottage industries and traditional systems of decentralized local production and consumption.
https://garlynceylon.goodmarket.global
Gondiwala, Sri Lanka
Create Ra focuses on providing employment opportunities for women in rural areas. Participating women in the Manwanella and Kegalle areas are able to work from home on a flexible schedule and earn additional income for their families. They produce hand crocheted bags, rugs, mats, pencil cases, and toys. Create Ra sources materials, assists with training and designs, and coordinates marketing. They are committed to environmental responsibility. Yarn and lining materials are sourced from sales outlets for factory waste. Scrap materials are used to produce multi-colored bags for children and as filling for crocheted soft toys. Products are transported and packed in compostable paper bags and cardboard boxes. Create Ra contributes a percent of annual profits for tree planting and gives plants as gifts for workers’ birthdays and special occasions.
https://createra.goodmarket.global
Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
Greenish BLOOM specializes in customized potted succulents, cacti, and other indoor plants that can be given as gifts at weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and other occasions. They use natural and upcycled materials and source from social enterprises and disadvantaged communities whenever possible. Greenish BLOOM aims to support tree planting campaigns around government offices, universities, schools, and other public areas.
https://greenishbloom.goodmarket.global
Dehiwala, Sri Lanka
Tibb un Nabawi focuses on making prophetic remedies affordable and accessible. They offer traditional herbal supplements including barley powder, date seed brew, castor oil, frankincense, gum arabic, costus oil, sidr, senna, ashwagandha, black seed (Nigella sativa), henna, and raw bee honey.
https://tibbunnabawi.goodmarket.global
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Think Thamizh aims to create cultural dialog and ethnic harmony by sharing authentic Tamil food made from natural, sustainably sourced ingredients. They uphold traditional environmentally responsible practices like serving meals on banana leaves and reusable metal tableware. Products include whole grain chapati, idly, dosai, sambar, rice and curry, rasam, lassi, and payasam. Think Thamizh contributes to art, culture, and women’s empowerment.
https://thinkthamizh.goodmarket.global
Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka
Advithiya was started to provide flexible livelihood opportunities for single mothers, mothers with disabled children, and other women that are unable to pursue traditional employment due to family responsibilities. The founder has drawn on years of experience in the apparel industry to develop a line of upcycled clothing, accessories, housewares, and stationery. Products are made from recycled home and factory waste including sari, denim, burlap, surplus fabric, and recycled paper.
https://advithiya.goodmarket.global
Pannipitiya, Sri Lanka
CottonBag manufactures unbleached and undyed cotton fabric bags at affordable rates for businesses and families. They focus on providing a compostable alternative to polythene bags, including non-woven bags, which are often sold as an environmentally responsible option but are made from petroleum products and are not biodegradable. More than 90% of CottonBag’s workers are women from low income families who are unable to access traditional employment opportunities due to family commitments. They deliver materials to women’s homes and provide direct payment when they collect the products. CottonBag offers free or highly subsidized bags for environmental fundraisers and campaigns. They also participate in environmental cleanup activities organized by local government authorities and community groups.
https://cottonbag.goodmarket.global
Maharagama, Sri Lanka
Dear Plant aims to help people reconnect with nature. They offer cactus and other plants that purify the air and are easy for people to grow at home. Dear Plant provides alternatives to plastic and cement home decor and focuses on natural, upcycled, and environmentally responsible materials. They source clay and stone pots directly from rural producers to provide more livelihood opportunities.
https://dearplant.goodmarket.global
Know an initiative that’s good for people and good for the planet? Encourage them to get involved. The online application is available in English, Sinhala, and Tamil at https://www.goodmarket.global/application. Urdu translation is completed, and translation into other languages is now underway. Learn more about the community translation project here.