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California Bans Trans Fats

This past Friday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill requiring restaurants in California to remove trans fats from all menu items by 2010, and from all retail baked goods by 2011.  Other states have made similar steps, but California’s ban is definitely the most sweeping; and being the most populous state it will impact the most people. 

In a related move, the Los Angeles City Council will vote today on a mesure that would put at least, a one-year moritorium on any new fast-food establishments.  The goal is to attract more grocery stores, fresh fruit and vegetable markets, and healthier restaurants; especially in low income areas like South Central, where those type of options are almost non-existent. 

These bold moves show that the health of their people is a priority of local and state government and California and we hope others across the country will soon show they feel the same.

-JH 

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FareStart: Good Food. Better Lives

Yesterday afternoon, some friends and I enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant called FareStart. With brick walls, high, exposed-beam ceilings, huge picture frame widows, and mezzanine seating it fits right in with the trendy downtown dining landscape. However, despite the look, it is definitely not your ordinary eatery. 

FareStart is a 16-week program providing classroom instruction and on-the-job training for homeless men and women, preparing them for careers in the food service industry.  While culinary training is the foundation, participants also receive individual case management, life skills training, and job placement services.  In addition, housing, meals, clothes, transportation, voicemail and other basic needs are taken care of.  Best of all… after completing the program, over 85% of the graduates find living-wage jobs within 90 days. 

Each year, FareStart helps create nearly 300 success stories of people lifting themselves out of homelessness and poverty.  You can help too, and all you have to do is eat.

-JH

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SocialVibe

If you are one of the millions who spend endless hours on MySpace, Facebook, or other social networking sites (don’t worry we do too), SocialVibe has created a platform for you to use your network to raise money for a variety of good causes. 

Basically, the way it works is you select from a list of brand sponsors and place one of their attractively designed ads on your page.  Then you select an organization you want to support.  Everytime your friends click on your ad you earn points toward donations to your charity (and apparently free stuff for you too).

The site also allows you to keep track of how many people click on your ad and how much money you have raised.  There are some great charities to choose from and every donation helps, so sign up today and start giving. 

-JH

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Big Victory for Burger King Farmers

This past week Burger King and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers reached an agreement that adds up to about a 71% pay increase for farm workers in Florida who pick tomatoes for Burger King as well as several other fast food chains. For years the workers have tried to earn higher wages, but big corporations refused to listen. However, over the last year, with the help of socially conscious consumers and activists groups like Sojourners joining in the cause by writing letters to Congress and making thousands of calls to Burger King, their voice was heard.

So, while Burger King probably still isn’t the best place to eat if you’re trying to take care of your health, at least you know they are doing a better job taking care of those who work for them.  This is a big win for fair wages in our nation and we hope it is just a starting point for even greater equality in the future.

Watch a short video of the press conference here.

-JH

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Marks & Spencer - Plan A Progress

If you’ve ever visited our neighbors across the pond you are probably familiar with retailer Marks & Spencer.  The department store, which sells just about everything from clothes to food to housewares, has several hundred locations in Britain and across Europe.  Last year the chain launched Plan A, a 100 point plan to address some of the major social and economic responsibility issues faced by large corporations.  So far they have made some great progress.  Some of the highlights include major reductions to CO2 emissions from all points along their distribution chain, a major shift in the amount of clothing made from fair trade cotton as well as new partnerships with local farmers, and a dramatic decrease in artificial and pre-packaged foods available on their shelves, coupled with a 48% increase in organic items.  To learn more about the plan and see some of the innovative ways they are working to make a positive impact on customers, employees, and manufacturing and distribution partners watch the video here.

-JH 

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Kiva Business Card

Kiva.org, the nonprofit peer to peer microlending organization, has partnered with Advanta to create the Kiva Business Card.  The idea is pretty straightforward.  You go to Kiva.org and choose a business owner you want to loan to.  Then use your Kiva Business Card to make the loan, and  Advanta matches your loan dollar for dollar (up to $200 per month).  It doesn’t cost you anything more than what you decided to donate (as long as you pay off your card at the end of the month) and the business owner you selected to support gets double the money.  This partnership is a great example of companies working together to create innovative solutions for important issues and we hope to see many others follow their lead.

To see a great video about how the program works and find out how you can participate visit the Kiva B4B website here.

-JH

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TOMS Internships

TOMS Shoes wants you!  The innovative shoe company that gives away a pair of shoes to for each pair it sells, is looking for interns to work at their headquarters in Santa Monica.  Participants will serve in various roles including Graphic Design, Marketing, and Special Events. 

The internship is unpaid, but they do provide free room and board (in L.A. that’s tough to come by) and potential college credit.  Not to mention the valuable experience of being a part of a company that is impacting the world.  This is a great opportunity for young people who want to make a difference, so click here to find out how you can be a part.

-JH 

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Start Up New Orleans

When you’re starting from scratch, anything is possible.  That seems to be the thinking that has driven many entrepreneurs to stay in New Orleans, and even more new ones to come recently.  A major player in this movement is a group called Start Up New Orleans.  They have created a website to attract young creative-types to bring their ideas to the Big Easy.  The site highlights some of the up-and-coming businesses already there and provides resources to help incoming entrepreneurs get theirs up and running too.  

The idea is to rebuild the culture of creativity and imagination the city was once known for, while reviving the economy at the same time.   To learn more or see how you can get involved check out this link. 

-JH

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Kiva.org: Loans that changes lives

 This is Rugiatu Bangura from Sierra Leone.  Her husband is a teacher and his salary isn’t enough to support their four children, so she runs a wholesale palm oil business to supplement their income.  The loan she needs to purchase her oil could come from YOU thanks to the innovative services of Kiva.org 

Kiva is a microfinance (See Muhammad Yunus) website that  creates a platform for individuals who want to help alleviate poverty to provide small loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries around the world.   You can search profiles on the site and find detailed information about individuals in need, including bios, business plans, and lending history.  The loan you send (which can be as little as $25) helps your recipient establish their own financial security, which if you ask me is a lot better than just providing them with some food that will probably only last a couple weeks.  Through updated journals on the site, you can track their progress along the way and when the loan is paid back (usually 6-12 months) you can lend again or withdraw your money.  There is a lot more specific information on the site, so go see for yourself and sign up to be a lender while you’re there.

-JH 

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