Green Business Contest
RALEIGH CITY FARM WINS “PEOPLE AND PLANET” GREEN BUSINESS CONTEST$5,000 Prize Awarded to Three Companies in Alaska, California, and North Carolina
WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 19, 2012 – Green America announced today that Raleigh City Farm is among three national winners of its first “People & Planet” award, which recognizes America’s best green, small businesses. Each of three winners will receive $5,000. The other winners are: Sonoma Compost Company of Sonoma, California and Green Kid Crafts of Anchorage, Alaska.Green America’s “People & Planet Awards” recognize innovative entrepreneurial U.S. businesses that deeply integrate environmental and social considerations into their strategies and operations. The first round of the Awards focused on green businesses that also are active in serving their communities.Josh Whiton of the Raleigh City Farm said: “We're really pleased that so many people supported us in winning this award. The proceeds will go a long way toward bolstering our operations as we continue to explore the power of urban farming for improving city life.”Raleigh City Farm was among approximately 250 small businesses around the country vying for the award. The top ten contestants were chosen by an expert panel of judges. The public, who participated in a monthlong open voting period online at Green America’s website, then chose the final winners.Denise Hamler, director, Green Business Network, Green America, said: “Green America is proud to present the inaugural People & Planet Award to these three green businesses that are making outstanding and creative contributions to their communities. Their values and business models exemplify the type of business our society and world need now more than ever.”Future rounds of Green America’s quarterly green business award, for businesses with 50 or fewer employees, will focus on clean energy, workplace innovations, and other sustainability practices. The public votes are determined by public nominations and an expert panel of judges: Katie Galloway & Gigi Abbadie, Aveda; Justin Conway, Calvert Foundation; Elysa Hammond, Clif Bar; Cheryl Newman, Honest Tea; Stacy Mitchell, Institute for Local SelfReliance; Theresa Marquez, Organic Valley; Eric Henry, TS Designs; Reed Doyle, Seventh Generation; Fran Teplitz/Andrew Korfhage, Green America.ABOUT GREEN AMERICAGreen America is the nation’s leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America (formerly Coop America) provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today's social and environmental problems. https://www.GreenAmerica.orgABOUT RALEIGH CITY FARMRaleigh City Farm is located at the corner of Blount and Franklin Streets across from William Peace University at the north end of Raleigh’s city center. Its mission is to transform unexpected downtown spaces into beautiful and nourishing farmland. www.raleighcityfarm.orgMEDIA CONTACT: Leslie Anderson Maloy, (703) 2763256 or landerson@hastingsgroup.com