Resource Innovations | Programs | Sustainable Business and Job Development

modified | Monday, January 21, 2008


	Food Trade Sustainability Leadership Initiative This program works with organic and natural food producers, wholesalers, distributors, and purveyors to build the capacity of the organic and natural food trade to transition to a sustainable business models. Our objectives are to: Expand understanding in the food trade about sustainability; Research and share information about successful sustainable business strategies and practices in the food trade; Train practitioners in the food trade to implement, measure, and report sustainable business practices; Organize and provide opportunities for collaboration and networking; and Study and disseminate information about the strengths and weaknesses of methods used in the program. As a result of this project: A substantially increased number of food businesses will engage in sustainable business practices. Participating food businesses will be well protected from the risks posed by climate change and energy price and supply issues. The supply of sustainably produced, harvested and distributed foods will be significantly expanded. Program Offerings Fall 2007-Fall 2008
		Workshop Series
		The 2007-2008 Workshop schedule is focused on the many issues businesses face in implementing various components of the Declaration of Sustainability (See below for more info on the Declaration.)

		Research and Technical Support
		Resource Innovations conducts research and acts as a hub for disseminating information on the latest sustainable business technologies and implementation strategies specific to the food trade. We have produced three resource guides on Sustainable Transportation, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Opportunities and Sustainable Packaging that are available to FTSL Supporting Business Members at no charge. For info on becoming a supporting business member click here. If you are not a supporting business member and would like to purchase a guide for a fee of $30, please contact Natalie Reitman-White. We also distribute a monthly e-Newsletter with news, helpful sustainability tips and upcoming events, and provide research support for inner-trade workgroups in specific areas.

		FTSL News
		The FTSL now publishes a monthly eNewsletter sent to interested indivduals and organizations. Here you'll find an archive of articles published in this ongoing digital resource.

		Advisory Group
		The Advisory Group, will seek to provide guidance on the direction of the initiative for 2007/08. Trade leaders will discuss the most effective organizing models and strategies to move the sustainability agenda forward at the trade-level in a formal and coordinated way.

		Declaration of Sustainability in the Organic Trade
		Over the past two years, many in the organic and natural foods trade have been working to co-author a Declaration that describes the vision of where the trade may move in the future. Resource Innovations will organize a sign-on campaign to this vision whereby participating companies commit to transparency around their practices, agree to continual improvement year after year, participate in a recognition system, and receive tools/advice to support their internal change efforts. As a signatory of the Declaration you will commit to participating in an annual sustainability audit which you may use in private as a tool to begin to track and integrate more sustainable practices in your company. As a signatory your business will be publicly recognized for its commitment to sustainability. RI will help to identify resources for technical support and assistance with audits.


		Join the Initiative!
		*To learn more about participating in this program contact:* *Natalie Reitman-White, Program Coordinator at (541) 346-1609; nwhite@uoregon.edu*
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