Written by Rosemary Mantini | 21 February 2011
Posted in KitchenMama

It's easy to be cynical (at least, it's easy for me) about the commitment that corporations may feel toward the communities to which they sell their products. In an ideal world, companies big and small would care for their establishments, their employees and their communities to the best of their ability. Imagine, if you will, a company as wealthy as Wal-Mart sourcing its products from local manufacturers, selling its wares out of environmentally-friendly buildings (maybe those with green roofs!). Not practical, you say? Sure, Wal-Mart (and others like it) serve a purpose. Whether it's cheap prices or greater selection, national and international corporations can offer the consumer something that smaller, community-based companies can't always do.

But, why not set a higher expectation regardless?

Have you heard about how the little boutique-style stores tend to close up shop when a big multi-national moves into town? Coincidence? Go ahead, argue that it's all about competition. If the little mom-and-pops aren't serving the needs of their clientèle as well as the new kid taking up the block, then good riddance. True — in a unidimensional kind of way. Serving the locals' needs is only one part of it. How about serving the planet's needs, too? And in so doing, serving ourselves better stuff. Ok, not everything that these huge mega-companies do is bad. McDonalds does still promote from within. Eat a burger and dream of being the boss. No reason why it shouldn't happen. Oh, but then there are those sticky issues, like the fact that finding fair trade, organic or even original products within the walls of these heavyweights can be pretty tricky. It can't all be about the bottom line, right? Well, sometimes it's not. Here's a tale of possibility: Profit for the Planet is an initiative conceived by Stonyfield Canada. True, Stonyfield is nowhere near the size of the big boys, which is precisely why they serve as an excellent example of what can be possible where the will exists. Stonyfield wants anyone with an eco-friendly idea to join their campaign. The company is donating 10% of its profits ($25000 in grants, actually) to local organizations and individuals to help them realize their green initiative projects. Got a great idea? The applications are at www.stonyfield.ca. Chef Anthony Sedlak is one of the individuals acting as an Ambassador for Profit for the Planet.

1% For The Planet is a similar initiative whereby companies sign up, donate 1% of their annual profit, then choose to which environmental initiative that money should go. Look around, there are lots of companies of various sizes that are really making an effort to make a difference in their communities. Why not expect huge conglomerates to do the same?

competition | environment | health | organic