“Not only for profit” was something mentioned in the latest issue of Ode Magazine in an article about the rise of social responsible financial investment. While I don’t think this adequately describes the new wave of conscious business models, it is getting closer. Unsatisified with the fundamental limits of non-profits and unhappy with the lack of moral compass for many businesses, entrepreneurs have been taking matters into their own hands and combining the two.
A small but growing percentage of business focus on community building and sustainability as core pillars of their business model. Some are in the ‘movement’ business and are doing the work that dedicated on the ground eco and social activists are accustomed to. They are plowing their profits, skills, products and services into social and environmental change and this is in perfect harmony with the mission of their business, it isn’t simply an afterthought.
These ‘not only for profit’ businesses are a huge part of addressing social and environmental crises. Armed with intellect, innovation and integrated approach to making a better world and a profit, these businesses are a dynamic force for social change. Rocking!
We are DEEP into production and marketing of this event celebrating sustainable, local, organic food. You can keep track of the day to day here: Sol Food Facebook Page.
We have a sponsor packet for any company, individual or organization who would like to be part of this inaugural sustainable, local, food (SOL) food festival. Already, Santa Barbara Farmer’s Market, Fund for Santa Barbara, Orfalea Foundation, The Independent and Edible Santa Barbara have agreed to come on board as sponsors.
We are excited to announce that we are partnering with Foodbank Santa Barbara County to serve as our offical fiscal sponsor for this event. Foodbank is doing incredible work and their movement toward more SOL foods for their clients has been very exciting. Give’em some love!
What we need still:
Exhibitors & Vendors: Applications here
Sponsors: send a note to roots@loatree.com and we’ll send
you the sponsor packet
Sol Food Park decorators!: roots@loatree.com
We need help with outreach and pr to schools and churches, a crew to help decorate the park, sponsors and more. Can you help?
If this is any sign of things to come, on a Monday night, 70 people joined us for a Sol Food social gathering at the Orella Stewardship Institute in Gaviota. Incredible group…the mo mo is there!
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Ride on the Wild Side: Saturday October 16th, 2010
We are STOKED to be helping out long time friends over at the Environmental Defense Center with this benefit bike ride. This bike ride takes you to iconic natural places EDC has helped protect including Douglas Family Preserve (Wilcox), Goleta Beach and Haskell’s Beach.
There are two rides:
10 mile roundtrip to Douglas Family Preserve
39 mile roundtrip to Haskell’s Beach and back.
Upon your return we’ll have a big ol’ party (think TGIF but on Saturday afternoon with colder beer), celebrate our riders and welcome Fall.
What we are looking for:
Bike Teams: We are looking for organizations and companies to create teams of riders who will ride together. This is a great opportunity to ‘roll’ with your compatriots, get outside and hang together.
Food Sponsor: We want to fill the bellies of riders and their supporters with tasty grub. Do you know of a company that can help underwrite this?
Spread the word:
LoaTree Events:
Green Drinks!, Tuesday (tomorrow night), August 17th, 2010, 6 – 8pm. @ The Marquee (under the Granada marquee).
Your excuse to imbibe, eat, network and socialize with fellow greenies has come again. Join us for good conversations with some new and old faces in the environmental scene. The Marquee, a chic bar directly underneath the Granada on 1212 State Street is a gorgeous place and they are holding HAPPY HOUR the whole time…lets do this.
Ride on the Wild Side Kickoff Party, Saturday, August 21st, 2010 @Wheelhouse
One of the companies at center of the bicycle culture explosion are the good guys and gals over at Wheelhouse. In honor of the ROWS event, we are going to party!
Beer from New Belgium, hilarious bicycle games, a DJ to get your butt moving and of course…we’ll share more about the ROWS event. Oh yeah…its all free! Want to come?
Stand in the Sand Benefit featuring the Messengers (Acoustic), DP Fresh and Headshine @Soho on Thursday, August 26th:
Let’s pack the house! $10 door, everything goes to the Stand in the Sand Relief Fund for human and ecological restoration. The SITS is trying to finish off their fundraising campaign by the end of this year…let’s take one step closer.
Your booty will shake, the who’s who of Santa Barbara will descend on Soho for a night and we’ll raise some funds…that’s just what we do.
“Dig In” A Farm Fresh Experience: Sunday September 5th, 2010: Benefit for Sol Food
Straight from the earth, straight into your belly, good conversation, gourmet eats, and building the (S)ustainable, (O)rganic, (L)ocal Food Movement.
Shepherd Farms in Carpinteria
Local guest Chefs
Live Music by the Sunshine Brothers
A Benefit for the Sol Food Festival
Farm tour at 4:30 p.m. Dinner at 6 p.m.
Tickets $75 Children $10
Families Welcome
Reservations 805.708.9044
Love yourself by eating locally and sustainably.
Eco Wireless: Stepping out into the community
We’ve been introducing Eco Wireless to the region and making some great connections. Eco Wireless gives 20% of each rate plan sale to non-profit organizations.
Eco Wireless has already a handful of beneficiary non-profits including: Quail Springs Learning Oasis, Channel Keeper, Freedom to Roam, Green2Gold, Wild Bear.
Eco Wireless has also signed up a handful of companies who will be giving money to these and other non-profits: Sonos and Allen Associates. Employees from Patagonia have already helped raise $600 for Freedom To Roam via Eco Wireless!
LoaTree Artists:
Robert Heeley Surf Art: Naples Coalition Benefit on September 2nd.
Just sold two paintings to benefit the Environmental Defense Center. Now, he’ll have 10 paintings for sale for First Thursday, (September 2nd) at Casa de la Guerra to benefit the Naples Coalition. Come on out and see the majestic Gaviota Coast on canvas!
Give thanks, eat well and keep it positive.
David & the LoaTree Family
