Eat local, buy local, give local — the local movement is alive and well in central Virginia. One of Ellwood’s primary missions is to promote local goods and produce; to support local charities and nonprofits;  and to make a difference in our community.  Be sure to join us by supporting the many wonderful growers and producers in Virginia. Stop by a farmers market; adopt a pet from a local rescue organization. Help us support our community. Click here for a cool article we found in Forbes Magazine about supporting local business and why it is important.

At Ellwood Thompon’s (ET) we believe that what we do is beyond just making money.  Our ET mission: To aspire to be the heart & soul of our community through a commitment to local and organic food, is what we focus on when making decisions. We are passionate about making a positive impact on the community and marketplace. At ET business means we are competing to make the world a better place through the service and products that we provide.  A new ideology called “conscious capitalism” embraces some of our ideas.

Conscious capitalism is an emerging form of capitalism that holds the potential for enhancing corporate performance while simultaneously advancing the quality of life for our communities. This idea has become a movement that challenges business leaders to re-think why their organizations exist and to acknowledge their company’s role in the marketplace and community.  The Richmond Times Dispatch featured a story this Sunday (January 22, 2012) that includes comments from companies that have said they embrace Conscious Capitalism, as well as comments from Rick Hood, the owner of Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market.  Click here to read the article and learn more.

With all the discussion about banks and credit unions we thought this video did a good job of discussing one side of the issue. Check it out and be sure to continue to do your own homework on where you would like to put your money!

In a story written by  Gary Hirshberg (CE-Yo of Stonyfield Yogurt) and Eric Schlosser  (author of “Fast Food Nation” and co-producer of the documentary “Food, Inc”) a recent poll found 93% of Americans think genetically engineered foods should be labeled. This month, 384,000 people signed a Just Label It petition urging the FDA to mandate genetically engineered food labeling nationally. The FDA justifies its refusal to label on an agency rule that requires labeling only if a food tastes or smells different or has a different nutritional value. The FDA should change that policy – or make an exception for genetically engineered foods, as it did for irradiated foods.  Click here to read more.

Non-GMO Month was created by the Non-GMO Project in 2010 as a platform for raising awareness on the GMO issue. Citizens and organizations across North America are waking up to the failure of GMO technology, and discovering the risks GMOs pose to our health, our families, and our planet.  Non-GMO Month is an opportunity to coordinate our voices and our actions, so that we can stand up loudly and clearly for our right to know what’s in our food, and to choose Non-GMO.  To stay current with what is happening with GMO technology check out this cool website with thousands of products verified as compliant with the Non-GMO Project standard, and the verification seal visible in stores in the US and Canada.   Click here to visit.

Fair trade is a system of exchange that seeks to create greater equity and partnership in international trading.  Every day the practice of Fair Trade improves the lives of farmers, artisans, producers and their families by increasing incomes, improving working conditions and promoting democratic principles in the workplace. Fair Trade consumers benefit from receiving high quality, unique goods and the knowledge that their responsible purchase has made a positive impact on our world. Click here to learn more about fair trade and how you can help.

Non-GMO Month was created by the Non-GMO Project in 2010 as a platform for raising awareness on the GMO issue. Citizens and organizations across North America are discovering the risk GMOs pose to our health, our families, and our planet.

Non-GMO Month is an opportunity to coordinate voices and actions, to make a unified stand for everyone’s right to know what’s in our food, and to choose non-GMO.

You might decide to celebrate Non-GMO Month by hosting a film screening in your living room and inviting the neighbors over, or maybe you’re ready to join in the historic Right2Know March from NYC to DC!  Another way to get involved is to make a pledge to choose Non-GMO Project Verified foods.  If you have another idea? Make it happen, and register your event here.