Albany Climate Strike, 2019
About
The Directory
The Directory
Buy Local, Grow Local is an online directory devoted to sustainable and/or socially responsible businesses and organizations. Due to climate change and political instability this directory will facilitate resilience for the Capital Region. This includes keeping our money circulating and benefiting the region. The directory covers the greater Capital Region.
Buy Local, Grow Local is an online directory devoted to sustainable and/or socially responsible businesses and organizations. Due to climate change and political instability this directory will facilitate resilience for the Capital Region. This includes keeping our money circulating and benefiting the region. The directory covers the greater Capital Region.
The Buy Local, Grow Local concept grew out of the Covid-19 pandemic in that we became aware of how fragile our local economy is with its just-in-time global supply line. According to the EPA climate disasters reducing food production have increased. Finally, this is the place that many of our local businesses who are sustainable or socially responsible can be showcased so all may follow in their footsteps.
The Buy Local, Grow Local concept grew out of the Covid-19 pandemic in that we became aware of how fragile our local economy is with its just-in-time global supply line. According to the EPA climate disasters reducing food production have increased. Finally, this is the place that many of our local businesses who are sustainable or socially responsible can be showcased so all may follow in their footsteps.
The People
The People
Buy Local, Grow Local is an outgrowth of PAUSE, People of Albany United for Safe Energy. The 6-member founders were Tina Lieberman (Albany) is co-founder of Zero Waste Capital District. Diana Wright (Albany) owns FoodScraps 360, a residential compost pick-up service and is a bee-keeper. Sandy Steubing (Albany) co-founder of People of Albany United for Safe Energy (PAUSE) and Manager of this site, Francis Magai (Troy) is a local farmer and studies environmental science at HVCC, Matt Oill (Schenectady) works with multiple environmental and social justice groups in the Capital Region,
Buy Local, Grow Local is an outgrowth of PAUSE, People of Albany United for Safe Energy. The 6-member founders were Tina Lieberman (Albany) is co-founder of Zero Waste Capital District. Diana Wright (Albany) owns FoodScraps 360, a residential compost pick-up service and is a bee-keeper. Sandy Steubing (Albany) co-founder of People of Albany United for Safe Energy (PAUSE) and Manager of this site, Francis Magai (Troy) is a local farmer and studies environmental science at HVCC, Matt Oill (Schenectady) works with multiple environmental and social justice groups in the Capital Region,
All businesses listed in our website are either Sustainable or Socially Responsible.
All businesses listed in our website are either Sustainable or Socially Responsible.
The criteria are listed below.
The criteria are listed below.
Sustainability Criteria for non-food businesses
Sustainability Criteria for non-food businesses
Buy Local, Grow Local considers a business or organization as sustainable if it meets TWO of the following criteria:
Buy Local, Grow Local considers a business or organization as sustainable if it meets TWO of the following criteria:
1) Supplies environmentally friendly products or services that replaces demand for non-green products and/or services.
1) Supplies environmentally friendly products or services that replaces demand for non-green products and/or services.
2) Attempts to source materials regionally.
2) Attempts to source materials regionally.
3) Can show that their business practices are greener than traditional competition. For example is your facility run on renewable energy? Do you use hybrid or EV's in your business operations? Do you recycle your ink cartridges?
3) Can show that their business practices are greener than traditional competition. For example is your facility run on renewable energy? Do you use hybrid or EV's in your business operations? Do you recycle your ink cartridges?
5) The nature of the business is to promote the continued use of a product rather than throwing it away in favor of buying new.
5) The nature of the business is to promote the continued use of a product rather than throwing it away in favor of buying new.
Food Criteria: e.g. Restaurants, Cafe's, Pubs, Caterers
Food Criteria: e.g. Restaurants, Cafe's, Pubs, Caterers
BuyLocal, Grow Local considers a restaurant or grocery as sustainable if it does not use polystyrene (styrofoam) plus meets TWO of the following criteria.
BuyLocal, Grow Local considers a restaurant or grocery as sustainable if it does not use polystyrene (styrofoam) plus meets TWO of the following criteria.
1) Does not use plastic straws, cutlery, or single use plastic bags.
1) Does not use plastic straws, cutlery, or single use plastic bags.
2) A portion of the food/drink is locally grown or sourced. Some organic food/drinks are available.
2) A portion of the food/drink is locally grown or sourced. Some organic food/drinks are available.
3) Donates edible leftovers
3) Donates edible leftovers
4) Uses environmentally friendly cleaning products
4) Uses environmentally friendly cleaning products
5) Pursues an enduring commitment to the environment such as composting.
5) Pursues an enduring commitment to the environment such as composting.
Socially Responsible Criteria for non-food businesses
Socially Responsible Criteria for non-food businesses
BuyLocal, Grow Local considers a business or organization as socially responsible if it meets THREE of the following criteria:
BuyLocal, Grow Local considers a business or organization as socially responsible if it meets THREE of the following criteria:
1) Current staff demonstrates diversity in ownership or hiring practices.
1) Current staff demonstrates diversity in ownership or hiring practices.
2) Donates a percentage of its profits to the local community.
2) Donates a percentage of its profits to the local community.
3) Owners and/or Managers perform volunteer work in the community.
3) Owners and/or Managers perform volunteer work in the community.
4) Pays all employees at least $20./hr.
4) Pays all employees at least $20./hr.
5) Provides health care insurance to full time employees plus paid sick days, vacation days and family leave.
5) Provides health care insurance to full time employees plus paid sick days, vacation days and family leave.
6) Can demonstrate that its business practices work toward a more just and equitable world.
6) Can demonstrate that its business practices work toward a more just and equitable world.
