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 of Bedford, New York, 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.
The Judges: Dr. Diane D'Isidori, a New Milford pediatrician who founded Candlewood Valley Pediatrics with her husband in 1988, focuses her efforts on creating and teaching community programs that promote sustainable health and environmental stewardship. She is one of the co-founders of New Milford Hospital's Plow to Plate coalition and its ongoing Youth Chef Advocacy Program, as well as the nationally recognized Sarah Noble School Walking Project. Daphne Dixon is a businesswoman, master gardener, and founder of Conscious Decisions, an ecologically responsible company through which she has organized over 200 sustainability events. She also founded Live Green CT!, and is working to spread its message of sustainability and eco friendly business. She was a 2015 Green Award winner. Herb Oringel, as the board chair of Sustainable Westchester (a 2015 Green Award winner), is dedicated to creating sustainable living environment for the residents of Westchester. The non-profit has led initiatives to create safer streets for cyclists and pedestrians and to find affordable ways for residents and businesses to rely on sustainable sources of energy, like solar and hydro power, and reduce the use of fossil fuels.
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.