Grace Farms, Bedford 2020, Yumi EcoSolutions, and Captain Compost are the four winners of the 2016 Green Awards organized by TownVibe. A prestigious panel of three judges selected the winners from nominees in Westchester County, Fairfield County, and Litchfield County. “The judges produced four very impressive winners,” says Geoffrey Morris, president of the media company that produces six regional lifestyle magazines. TownVibe Awards recognize local non-profits, businesses, and individuals who are leading the movement for environmental sustainability and maintaining a socially and economically responsible community. A reception and award ceremony will take place March 10.
Grace Farms is an 80 acre natural habitat preserved by the Grace Farms Foundation to promote sustainability and its five initiatives: nature, arts, justice, community, and faith. The Foundation River Building is an environmentally conscious structure that provides a sanctuary and community center for people to gather to support the five initiatives. Bedford2020 is a non-profit organization with an initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020. Through increased awareness and encouraging environmental action through fuel and energy efficiency, composting, and recycling, to name a few, the town has already reached 79 percent of B2020s goal. Yumi EcoSolutions is a bio-materials company dedicated to eliminating plastics and replacing them with sustainable eco-safe materials. Yumi has created product lines such as Return, a line of disposable tableware made from a natural starch that is compostable and biodegradable, and Yumi Nature+ products made from 100 percent bamboo. Captain Compost, a.k.a. Dan Delventhal, started an organic, gasoline-free lawn care business, runs his home almost entirely from self installed solar panels, and has installed recycling services in all companies he has worked for, and implemented composting at three.
Honorable Mention Awards go to Aetheria Relaxation Spa, Alexander Scaperotta, BMW of Ridgefield, Compounded Solutions in Pharmacy, Dana Gips, DeCicco & Sons Market, Ethan Allen Hotel, Fairfield Green Food Guide, Green Granary, Green Star Energy Solutions, Greenleaf Energy Solutions, Healthy Home Energy and Consulting, Heineken USA, Kathleen McHugh, Kent Conservation Commission, Murphy Brothers Contracting, New England Smart Energy Group, New Morning Market, Northwest Conservation District, Planet Fuel, Renewable Resources, Shearwater Organic Coffee Roasters, South Farms, Sweet Earth Company, Vanguard Energies, Wooster School.
The awards will be presented on March 10 at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, CT.
TownVibe is the leading publisher of regional lifestyle magazines including Bedford Magazine, Berkshire Magazine, Fairfield Magazine, Litchfield Magazine, Ridgefield Magazine, and Wilton Magazine, as well as townvibe.com. To purchase tickets to the reception and ceremony, click here.