2024 SBN Sustainable Business of the Year Awards Winners
DuckIsland Shellfish
Local Seafood Business
SBN is proud to present the Sustainable Business of the Year -
Local Seafood Business
Honoring Heritage Through Sustainable Shellfishing: The Story of Duck Island Shellfish Company
Duck Island Shellfish Company is a small, family-owned shellfish farm located in Barnstable Harbor, Massachusetts. Owned and operated by Corey Hendricks and his grandfather, Paul Hendricks Sr., a Mashpee Wampanoag descendant, Duck Island Shellfish carries on a rich tradition of sustainable shellfish harvesting that dates back generations.
For the Wampanoag people of Cape Cod, shellfishing, hunting, and gathering have always been a way of life. Corey's grandfather, Paul Sr., is a living testament to this tradition. Despite facing discrimination and prosecution, Paul Sr. and his family have persevered in their cultural practices, preserving their aboriginal hunting and fishing rights.
Corey's father, Paul Jr., continued this legacy by becoming the first Wampanoag with a private oyster farm in Massachusetts, Cape Cod Native Shellfish. Corey himself followed in his father and grandfather's footsteps, gaining valuable experience in aquaculture through his education and work at the Aquacultural Research Corporation and the Mashpee Wampanoag Shellfish Farm.
In 2021, Corey's dedication culminated in the establishment of Duck Island Shellfish Company, a thriving aquaculture and wild harvest operation. One of only three Wampanoag-owned aquaculture businesses in the state, Duck Island Shellfish prides itself on producing high-quality oysters and other shellfish, continuing the Wampanoag tradition of sustainable seafood harvesting.
By purchasing Duck Island or Cape Cod Native shellfish, you're not just getting delicious seafood; you're supporting a family business that's deeply committed to preserving its heritage. Duck Island Shellfish and Cape Cod Native Shellfish together produce over 700,000 oysters and 500,000 quahogs annually. Their products can be found at Big Rock Oysters, and they also offer farm-to-table raw bar services for events.
As Duck Island Shellfish Company expands, they hope to collaborate with more distributors and eventually open their own facility to deliver their продукции directly to customers.
Connect with Duck Island Shellfish Company:
Instagram: @duckislandshellfish
Cape Cod Native Shellfish: capecodnativeshellfish.com
Artifact Soapworks
Local Budding Business
From Lab to Lather: A journey of Sustainable Soapmaking
"When I told friends I was making soap, they'd often raise an eyebrow and ask, 'But can't you just buy soap at the supermarket?' As a Chemical Engineer, they seemed to think my hobby should involve something more…explosive. Perhaps refining used motor oil?
But the truth is, most of what we call 'soap' these days isn't soap at all. It's detergent, a synthetic concoction filled with ingredients you can barely pronounce. Check the label – if it says 'body bar', 'cleansing bar', or 'beauty bar' instead of 'soap', it's likely detergent.
Detergents certainly clean. But for those who truly appreciate the bathing ritual, it's not just about cleanliness. It's about an experience. It's about the difference between a love letter and junk mail, between a Monet and those dogs playing poker. Soap should be an indulgence, a small daily elevation.
That's why I embarked on this journey. My soapmaking isn't just a hobby; it's a commitment to ethical and sustainable practices:
Local: Sourcing ingredients locally, partnering with nearby manufacturers, and engaging with my community through workshops and classes.
Green: Utilizing organic, biodegradable ingredients, minimizing water usage, embracing energy efficiency, and prioritizing recyclable packaging.
Fair: Practicing transparent pricing, fostering long-term supplier relationships, and ensuring fair trade practices throughout the supply chain.
My soaps are 100% vegetable-based, cruelty-free, and rigorously tested (on my long-suffering husband and son, of course!).
So, the next time you reach for that 'beauty bar', consider the difference. Choose soap, choose experience, choose a little bit of luxury in your daily routine."
Resonant Energy
Clean Energy
Resonant Energy: Shining a Light on a Brighter Future
In the heart of Boston, Resonant Energy is more than just a solar company; it's a beacon of hope for a more equitable and sustainable future. Founded in 2016 with a core belief that clean energy should be accessible to all, Resonant is on a mission to empower communities by bringing the sun's power to their doorsteps.
What Resonant Does:
Makes Solar Simple: Resonant takes the hassle out of going solar. They assess your building's potential, create a customized plan to maximize savings, and guide you through financing options, permitting, and installation.
Unlocks Federal and State Incentives: Navigating the world of solar incentives can be complex. Resonant simplifies the process, helping you access available programs like Direct Pay to maximize your returns.
Who They Are:
Resonant isn't your typical business. They're a certified B Corp, meaning they prioritize social and environmental impact alongside profits.
Employee-Owned: Resonant empowers its employees by making them owners. After three years, employees become eligible to share in company profits and have a voice in key decisions.
Diversity & Inclusion: Resonant is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team, advocating for policy changes that promote equity, and fostering strong community partnerships.
Their Guiding Principles:
Community-Centered: Resonant believes that communities should have the power to shape their own energy future. They work closely with local organizations to understand unique needs and empower residents to make informed decisions.
Environmental Justice: Recognizing the disproportionate impact of climate change on underserved communities, Resonant prioritizes projects that serve environmental justice communities and low-income households.
Excellence in Everything: From exceptional customer service to innovative solutions, Resonant strives for excellence in all aspects of their work.
Integrity: Building trust is paramount. Resonant maintains open and honest communication throughout the entire solar journey, ensuring clients are informed and supported every step of the way.
Gemline
Large Business of the Year
Gemline: Elevating Brands and Sustainability
Gemline (The Gem Group) is a leading provider of custom-branded products that seamlessly integrate your logo and messaging into a diverse range of high-quality items. Based in Lawrence, MA, Gemline's manufacturing and distribution center specializes in producing elegant and impactful promotional products that elevate your brand.
Gemline's in-house design team focuses on creating thoughtfully designed, high-quality, and trend-right products that resonate with customer desires and values. The company is committed to sustainability, placing it at the core of its business culture.
A Leader in Sustainable Business
Gemline has been recognized as a Sustainable Business Leader by the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts (SBN) for four consecutive years, most recently with an upgraded 2024 certification. This distinction acknowledges Gemline's commitment to exceeding standard sustainable practices.
Key initiatives include:
Investing in Clean Energy: Gemline has installed 1,736 solar panels on its building, generating its own clean energy and demonstrating a significant commitment to reducing its environmental impact.
Embracing EcoVadis: Gemline utilizes the EcoVadis platform to manage its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) risk and compliance, further enhancing its sustainability efforts.
Continuous Improvement: Gemline actively pursues pollution reduction, material reuse, energy conservation, and recycling initiatives.
A Model for Sustainable Business
Gemline serves as a model for other businesses seeking to integrate sustainability into their operations. SBN is proud to have Gemline as a leading member and applauds their dedication to environmental health and climate action.
Dorchester Food Coop
Local Grocery Store
The Dorchester Food Co-op is more than just a grocery store; it's a community-owned cooperative on a mission to nourish people, create jobs, and empower Dorchester residents. With over 2,000 member-owners, the Co-op provides access to fresh, local, and affordable food through a full-service grocery store, a robust CSA program, and other services.
Local, Green, and Fair: A Commitment to Sustainability
The Dorchester Food Co-op prioritizes sustainability throughout its operations:
Local Bounty: The Co-op sources from a diverse range of local and regional vendors, ensuring peak freshness, supporting local farms, and reducing their carbon footprint.
Environmental Responsibility: The store itself is a testament to green practices. Upcycled equipment, a transcritical refrigeration system using natural CO2, and a commitment to composting and recycling minimize environmental impact.
Bulk Options: By offering a vast bulk section with grains, beans, and more, the Co-op empowers customers to reduce packaging waste.
Sustainable Packaging: Glass bottle milk from Crescent Ridge Dairy not only tastes great but also cuts down on single-use containers.
Harnessing the Sun: The Co-op is partnering with Boston Community Solar Cooperative to develop a rooftop solar array, further reducing their environmental footprint.
Investing in the Community
The Dorchester Food Co-op believes in building a stronger community:
Job Creation: The Co-op has created over 15 new jobs for Dorchester residents, prioritizing those new to the industry and reflecting the neighborhood's diversity.
Workforce Development: The Co-op collaborates with MassHire and JVS to provide workforce training opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Supporting Local Youth: Young people from Youth Build Boston gained valuable experience working on the store's construction and design.
Affordable Access: The 2025 subsidized CSA program will partner with local farms to offer fresh produce to low-income residents, ensuring everyone has access to healthy food.
The Dorchester Food Co-op is a shining example of a business that nourishes both its community and the planet.
Ground Up Grain
Local Food Product
From a Seed of Curiosity to a Flourishing Mill: The Story of Ground Up
It was the fall of 2009 at the Hungry Ghost, their favorite bakery, that Andrea and Christian Stanley stumbled upon a life-altering revelation. While discussing a recent article about locally grown wheat for bread, they realized a profound lack of awareness: they had never considered the origins of their flour, where it came from, or how it was made. This simple realization sparked a powerful curiosity and ignited a desire to become part of the local food movement.
Fast forward seven months, and the Stanleys were knee-deep in their own agricultural venture. Their first harvest – ten acres of malt barley – lay drying on tarps in their garage, a testament to their unwavering commitment. With limited resources and no established infrastructure, they faced significant challenges. Yet, their passion and the support of like-minded brewers who shared their values fueled their determination.
In 2018, a full circle moment arrived when the owners of the Hungry Ghost approached Andrea and Christian with a proposition: to establish a flour mill. This request became the genesis of Ground Up, a venture born from collaboration with local farmers, sourcing their wheat, barley, and rye to create exceptional bread and specialty flours for local bakeries.
Seeking a space that reflected their values, the Stanleys discovered an old paper mill in Holyoke, a city rich in industrial history. Powered by hydroelectric energy, the mill, situated on the Connecticut River, provided the perfect setting for their growing operation.
Today, Ground Up flourishes, employing a dedicated team, including General Manager Isis Feliciano, a passionate advocate for food equity and a proud resident of Holyoke. Patrick Cronin and Vanessa Rivas, also Holyoke natives, contribute their skills and pride to the company's mission.