Author: sHq_LoGiNz

• Automaker and its retailers join forces with the ASPCA® to provide grants, host adoption events, and celebrate the seventh annual National Make a Dog’s Day
• Subaru has contributed over $70 million to national and local animal welfare organizations, supporting the rescue, transportation, adoption, and health of over 700,000 pets

CAMDEN, N.J., October 1, 2025 /3BL/ – Subaru of America, Inc. today announced that as part of its Subaru Loves Pets® initiative, the automaker and more than 630 of its participating retailers will provide over $3.1 million in direct financial assistance to local animal shelters nationwide through grants* administered by the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®). As the largest corporate donor to the ASPCA, Subaru aims to improve the lives of as many shelter pets as possible, helping to cover costs associated with adoption preparation, veterinary care, and other critical services.

According to the ASPCA, approximately 5.8 million animals entered shelters in the U.S. in 2024, which is why throughout October, Subaru retailers nationwide will host in-person adoption, microchipping, or other types of pet-focused events to help ensure that animals in need can find loving homes in their communities. Subaru will also donate $20 to the ASPCA with the purchase of select items from Subaru Parts Online in October, up to $10,000. This includes products such as Genuine Subaru Pet-Friendly Accessories.**

Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Subaru of America, Inc.: “Subaru has an unparalleled devotion as advocates for the unconditional love that pets bring into our lives. By partnering with the ASPCA and our strong network of participating retailers, we are helping shelter animals find loving homes in communities nationwide and bringing attention to the actions that anyone can take to support the most vulnerable animals in need.”

To drive additional awareness and support for pets everywhere, Subaru will celebrate the seventh annual National Make a Dog’s Day on October 22nd. On this special holiday, created by Subaru, the automaker invites dog lovers everywhere to do something extra special for their canine companions and share these moments on social media using the #MakeADogsDay hashtag. This year, Subaru is encouraging all people to consider adopting, fostering, or otherwise supporting a shelter pet or a cherished “Underdog,” an older or disabled shelter dog.

Matt Bershadker, President and CEO, ASPCA: “Through this partnership with Subaru, tens of thousands of shelter animals will have a better chance of finding the loving homes they deserve. The Subaru Loves Pets initiative is more than a generous commitment—it’s a hands-on effort that connects people directly to animals in need, builds stronger bonds between local shelters and their communities, and ultimately changes countless lives for the better.”

Subaru will amplify its Subaru Loves Pets and National Make A Dog’s Day initiatives with an integrated ad campaign celebrating the original pack of “Underdogs” and sharing an inspiring new message. The automaker’s new 30-second spot, The First Thing You Notice, will be featured on October 22 as an “Isopod” feature on NBC’s TODAY Show and will air across streaming and digital platforms, including Peacock, Hulu, and Roku, throughout October. The campaign will extend across Subaru’s owned social channels and integrated marketing efforts, including influencer partnerships on Meta and TikTok, with the spot available on YouTube/Subaru.

Subaru is proud of its history of supporting pets in need, with the Subaru Loves Pets initiative playing an important role ever since the program’s inception. Since 2008, Subaru has contributed over $70 million to national and local animal welfare organizations, supporting the rescue, transportation, adoption, and health of over 700,000 pets.

To learn more about the Subaru Love Pets initiative, visit www.subaru.com/pets and follow #SubaruLovesPets and #MakeADogsDay.

*Disclaimer: The ASPCA will administer funding to the partner through a grant on behalf of the retailer prior to October, so the shelter can use the funding throughout the month of October in honor of Subaru Loves Pets. 

**Disclaimer: Maximum donation of $10,000. Donations apply to orders placed from 12:01 AM EDT Wednesday, October 1, 2025, through 11:59 PM EDT Friday, October 31, 2025, through participating retailers’ Subaru Parts Online websites.

About Subaru of America, Inc. 

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered in Camden, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts, and accessories through a network of about 640 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill plants, including Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., the only U.S. automobile manufacturing plant designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise®, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA and the SOA Foundation have donated more than $340 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 115,000 volunteer hours. Subaru is dedicated to being More Than a Car Company® and to making the world a better place. For additional information, visit media.subaru.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube.

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Diane Anton
Corporate Communications Manager
(856) 488-5093
danton@subaru.com

Adam Leiter
Subaru of America, Inc.
(856) 488-8668
aleiter@subaru.com

Canada’s canola farmers face mounting pressures from volatile trade conditions, shifting tariffs, and global commodity uncertainty. In this climate, efficient export infrastructure isn’t just helpful – it’s essential.

DP World recently opened its new CAD $150 million Canola Oil Transload Facility at Fraser Surrey, adding 1 million tonnes of annual export capacity. The project provides prairie farmers with faster, more reliable access to global markets at a time when stability is critical.

Why Canola Matters to Canada’s Economy

Canola oil is one of Canada’s most important exports, generating nearly CAD $6 billion in 2024 alone. With production centered in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba, rail-to-port connections are the lifeline linking farms to international buyers.

Doug Smith, CEO of DP World in Canada, explained that the new facility “reduces handling, increases throughput, and improves reliability,” helping producers meet growing global demand for food, renewable fuel, and bio-based products.

A Strategic Investment in Trade Resilience

The facility includes three massive storage tanks and a dedicated underground pipeline that pumps oil directly to vessels. This streamlined design reduces costs and delays, while enhancing supply chain resilience in a challenging global environment.

Richardson International, one of Canada’s largest agribusinesses, welcomed the project as a competitive edge in serving customers worldwide. Provincial leaders also highlighted the jobs and economic growth it brings to British Columbia while safeguarding farmers’ access to export markets.

The launch of the new canola facility follows DP World’s recent joint development agreement with the Montreal Port Authority to design the future Contrecœur container terminal. Together, these projects underscore DP World’s long-term commitment to strengthening Canada’s trade infrastructure from coast to coast.

Learn More

At DP World, we’re investing in infrastructure that helps Canada’s farmers thrive in the face of global volatility. Learn more about how we’re building resilient trade connections across the country – from coast to coast – to strengthen Canada’s role in the global agricultural economy.

AMSTERDAM and HONG KONG and OAKLAND, Calif., October 1, 2025 /3BL/ – Cascale Better Buying today opened the fall rating cycle for the Better Buying Partnership Index (BBPI), calling on suppliers and manufacturers worldwide to submit feedback to help accelerate responsible purchasing practices across the consumer goods industry. The survey’s unique methodology helps buyers – both Cascale brand and retail members and non-members – better understand how their purchasing practices impact suppliers and manufacturers.

“As a global manufacturer, we firmly believe that the responsibility of improving working conditions and maintaining sustainable practices lies with both buyers, and suppliers and manufacturers,” said Michael Cai, Director of Operations & Supply Chain, Décor Global.

“We have been working with Better Buying for over seven years and its vision strongly resonates with us. We see its unique value – providing a safe, confidential platform for suppliers to give candid feedback and co-create solutions. Over the years we have seen positive changes as buyers became more open to our suggestions, with real improvements in forecasting, planning and business management practices. We strongly encourage our peer suppliers to take part and rate their buyers’ purchasing practices.”

Now in its fifth rating cycle, the BBPI is a concise, 12-question, five-minute confidential survey that gathers input into the quality of buyer-supplier relationships. It is aligned with Better Buying’s Five Principles of Responsible Purchasing: time, visibility, stability, fair financials, and shared responsibility, which are reflected in Cascale’s mission to support decent work for all. The BBPI is moving the needle on buyer purchasing practices. Scores for partnership quality have increased every year since the BBPI first launched, with the highest to date, 52, recorded in the last BBPI cycle, a four-point increase from the previous year, reflecting notable improvements in buyer-supplier relationships.

This cycle marks the first BBPI launch since Better Buying joined Cascale earlier this year. All responses are fully anonymized and aggregated, ensuring business relationships are protected and enabling candid, unfiltered feedback. Findings are shared with brands and retailers that subscribe to Cascale Better Buying, equipping them with actionable insights to strengthen purchasing practices. Cascale is encouraging broad participation to strengthen the evidence base, elevate supplier voices, and scale collective progress toward more responsible purchasing.

“Every day, suppliers and manufacturers are impacted by brand and retailer buyer decisions. As such, they are the only true arbiters of where we stand as an industry on responsible purchasing practices,” said Katie Hess, Head of Product at Cascale Better Buying. “To drive transformation at scale, we must expand supplier participation, elevate their voices, and build a robust evidence base. This not only helps brands and retailers improve, but also brings more companies into the journey towards responsible purchasing.”

Through October 31, suppliers and manufacturers can use this link to take the BBPI survey. Brands and retailers, including Cascale members, are also encouraged to share the survey with their suppliers and invite them to rate the quality of their partnership.

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people.

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EMERYVILLE, Calif., October 1, 2025 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services (SCS), a 40-year pioneer and world leader in the field of third-party certification, auditing, and standards development, announce today the promotions of two outstanding members of its staff to executive positions. Scott Coye-Huhn, former Vice President of the Energy, Biomaterials and Circularity (EBC) Division, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and Vikas Ahuja, former Vice President of Sales, has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Revenue.

Scott joined SCS in 2020 as Program Manager for the emerging Low Carbon Fuel Regulations program, quickly scaling its impact and earning a promotion to Director. In 2024, he was named Vice President of the rapidly growing Energy, Biomaterials and Circularity (EBC) division, where he has led transformative growth and revitalized core programs.

Scott brings a unique blend of legal, entrepreneurial, and sustainability expertise to his new role. Prior to joining SCS, he co-founded Aloterra, LLC, which pioneered large-scale Miscanthus cultivation for sustainable packaging solutions. Earlier in his career, he specialized in environmental litigation, partnering with state governments to restore contaminated waterways. His strategic mindset, operational acumen, and commitment to innovation make him an outstanding addition to the Executive Leadership Team. Scott holds an M.S.W. from Saint Louis University and a J.D from Cincinnati College of Law.

“Operational excellence is about strategically aligning our people, processes, and priorities to consistently deliver outstanding results for our clients,” said Scott Coye-Huhn. “I’ve been humbled to witness SCS’ unwavering commitment to integrity and excellence and I’m excited to leverage those values to empower our teams to apply their deep industry knowledge and continuous improvement expertise to work smarter, faster, and with greater clarity.”

With over two decades of experience in Sustainability and ESG, Vikas has helped global brands achieve business value through sustainable practices. Early in his career, he played a pivotal role in growing the green building certification GREENGUARD® into a category leader. He joined SCS in 2010 to grow the Indoor Advantage® program, later expanding his impact at companies thinkstep and Sphera through LCA consulting and ESG software solutions. Since rejoining SCS in 2021, Vikas has advanced through key leadership roles, overseeing unprecedented sales growth.

In his new role, Vikas will lead integrated sales and marketing strategies to accelerate growth across the organization. Vikas holds an MBA from the University of South Florida and a BS from the University of Chicago.

“I’m honored to step into this role and help take SCS to the next level,” said Vikas. “Sustainability continues to be a powerful driver of business innovation and value, and I’m excited to work with our talented teams to deliver meaningful impact for our clients and the planet.”

“Scott and Vikas exemplify the leadership, innovation, and operational excellence that are critical to driving SCS forward,” said Matt Rudolf, CEO of SCS Global Services. “Their promotions reflect not only their individual achievements, but also our commitment to building a resilient, high-performing organization that delivers exceptional value to our clients and scales the meaningful impact SCS delivers globally.”

About SCS Global Services:

SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business.

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Media Contact:

Karen Righthand 
VP, Marketing 
+1 510.381.6588 
email

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 1, 2025 /3BL/ – Fairtrade America, the organization behind the world’s most recognized label for social justice and sustainability, the Fairtrade Mark, commissioned three new murals in celebration of Fairtrade Month this October.

Research conducted in 2025 by independent firm Globescan showed that 72% of American consumers who have seen the Fairtrade Mark are willing to pay more to ensure the farmers behind their favorite products are paid a fair price. Created in partnership with local artists and installed at grocery stores dedicated to sustainable sourcing and equitable supply chains, these murals help connect shoppers with the people behind their food. Each depicts a farmer who grows a Fairtrade certified commodity sold inside the store.

• Coralville, IA: The cinnamon grown by A.G. Nandasena is part of the spice line from Frontier Co-op, which shoppers can find on shelves at New Pioneer Food Co-op.
• Richmond, VA: The cocoa grown by Aminata Sannoh is one of the simple ingredients in chocolate from Hu, which shoppers can find on shelves at Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market.
• Sioux Falls, SD: The vanilla grown by Marie Ronette Botramisy is an ingredient that can be found in ice cream from Ben & Jerry’s, which shoppers can find on shelves at Sioux Falls Food Co+op.

The murals are part of Fairtrade America’s annual Fairtrade Month campaign, which connects shoppers, grocers, brands and farmers to celebrate their roles in creating a world where the people who grow our food get paid a price that allows them to thrive. Coming together to amplify farmers’ stories and commemorate their work in the form of public art provides everyone an opportunity to join Fairtrade’s movement to change the longstanding profit-over-people-and-planet approach to business and become an ally in building more equitable food systems.

“For decades, powerful companies have exploited the small-scale farmers behind products that Americans know and love – chocolate, ice cream and spices. By not paying fairly for goods and labor, they have left farmers and their communities living in poverty. When trade is truly fair, profits and benefits are shared equitably among all players across the supply chain.

“At a time when global trade is increasingly uncertain, we reaffirm our collective commitment to cooperation across the world. Together, we share a deep belief that trade can – and must – be a force for good, and that strong partnerships are the foundation that nourish a sustainable and prosperous future for all,” said Amanda Archila, Executive Director, Fairtrade America.

Shoppers, brands and retailers can help raise awareness for better trade practices and ethical shopping by:

• Choosing Fairtrade certified products when purchasing
• Celebrating Fairtrade Month online
• Promoting Fairtrade products in-store and hosting events

To celebrate Fairtrade Month, Fairtrade America is giving away an exciting grand prize to three winners in October! Winners will receive a bundle of 24 premium organic products from Frontier Co-op, 12 12 packs of Hu chocolate bars (144 bars total), along with 52 coupons for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. In addition, winners will receive three cookbooks featuring the national cuisines of Fairtrade farmers involved in this year’s campaign, a mixing bowl and cake pan from Great Jones, and an Apron from Misen.

Fairtrade is an alternative approach to trade that is based on partnership instead of exploitation. The farmers featured in the murals represent the nearly two million Fairtrade farmers and workers in Fairtrade certified cooperatives that grow valuable products like cinnamon, cocoa, and vanilla . Products bearing the Fairtrade Mark are certified against rigorous economic, social and environmental standards from the farm to the shelf, helping shoppers easily purchase products that align with their values in stores and online. Those who choose Fairtrade help rebalance trade, making it fairer for the people who grow our food.

About the Farmers

Aminata Sannoh, mural by Jason Ford, located at Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market, Richmond

Sannoh is a member of Munafa, a cocoa farming cooperative in Sierra Leone. She is a “chief,” meaning she represents the women in her community and advocates for their access to land for cocoa farming.

Like many women cocoa farmers in Sierra Leone, Sannoh has persevered through structural barriers that make it difficult for women to purchase land. Her first plot was given to her by her father, who sparked her interest in cocoa farming as she watched him manage large, successful plantations when she was a child.

She has also noticed an increase in environmental challenges over the course of her life. Forest loss, driven by human activities like farming, logging and mining, has resulted in higher temperatures and drought during the dry season and flooding in the rainy season. To curb the environmental degradation of farming, Sannoh adheres to organic practices, composts cocoa husks to use as fertilizer, and repurposes cocoa bean byproducts to make soap.

The prices farmers earn for their cocoa crops have vastly improved compared to what her parents received, says Sannoh. She partially attributes this to Fairtrade’s impact in the region. Training and material support provided by Fairtrade or purchased through the cooperative using Fairtrade Premium funds have improved production volume and quality. For example, Munafa used Fairtrade Premium funds to construct a drying facility that yields higher quality beans. Fairtrade benefits extend beyond farming support as well, with earnings and Premiums supporting community residential and educational expenses.

A.G. Nandasena, mural by Thomas Agran, located at New Pioneer Food Co-op, Coralville

Nandasena is a member of the Small Organic Farmers Association (SOFA) in Sri Lanka. He grows cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, pepper and turmeric.

Nandasena has been farming with the cooperative for more than twenty years and exclusively implements organic practices. His farmland is a “forest garden,” which means that cash crops are interspersed among wild native plants. This approach helps preserve biodiversity, prevents soil erosion and increases shade. Not only does organic farming enable Nandasena to earn higher profits for his crops, it also has helped stem his personal concerns about the environmental and human health impacts of conventional farming.

Through his SOFA membership and SOFA’s partnership with Fairtrade, Nandasena has participated in quality control and good agricultural practices training as well as cinnamon peeling kits, shade nets and beekeeping units. All of which have helped up his income while benefitting the plant and animal species on his land. Higher earnings have helped Nandasena educate his children and access housing, furniture, and healthcare.

Marie Ronette Botramisy, mural by Erin Castle, located at Sioux Falls Food Co+op, Sioux Falls

Botramisy is a member of LAFIMA, a vanilla farming cooperative in Madagascar. She participates in Ben & Jerry’s Living Income Accelerator program as a lead farmer focused on regenerative agriculture.

Ben & Jerry’s Living Income Accelerator was created in partnership with Fairtrade to advance work that promotes a living income and dignified lives for farmers producing the ingredients that make our ice cream flavors so delicious. A living income is enough to afford a decent standard of living for all household members. That means a nutritious diet, clean water, decent housing, education, health care and other essential needs, plus a little extra for emergencies and savings once farm costs are covered.

Through the program’s trainings, Botramisy has learned about the benefits of organic compost, crop rotation techniques that improve soil fertility, and how to install drainage canals that reduce run-off and preserve soil nutrients. She says these skills and knowledge have been pivotal for managing her land more effectively and sustainably.

Since applying the practices she learned, Botramisy has seen vast improvements in her crop quality. She values the individualized support from program agronomists, who help identify obstacles specific to her land.

The global vanilla market has experienced extreme ups and downs since 2020, making planting material more expensive and difficult to acquire as well as negatively affecting the profit of farmers like Marie. Through the Living Income Accelerator, she and others received planting materials, like vines, which has improved farmers’ profitability in a time of real crisis.

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Quotes from Artists, Brands, Farmers, and Retailers 

Artists

“Having spent some years working on organic vegetable farms, I have experienced first hand the dedication and care it takes to both nurture crops and steward the land. Bringing greater awareness to the inequities baked into our food system is increasingly critical. There is no singular way to best communicate the values Fairtrade stands for, and I feel proud to be able to use my artistic practice to help provide a celebratory way to add transparency to the path of how our ingredients make their way to our kitchens,” said Thomas Agran, Iowa City-based artist.

“I’m grateful to play a part in making people aware of Marie ‘s story and Fairtrade Month. Her story is a reminder to us all that partnership and cooperation make the world a better place. When those growing our food, those selling it, and those enjoying it implement and uphold more equitable practices, less exploitative international trade and more resilient food systems are possible,” said Erin Castle, Sioux Falls-based artist.

“My work is rooted in community storytelling. Applying that lens to this campaign has been really natural because the mural itself depicts one end of the cocoa supply chain and Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market represents the other. We’re bringing the story of the community behind the supply chain to life,” said Jason Ford, Richmond-based artist.

Brands

“As a member-owned cooperative, we believe in sourcing products responsibly and sustainably. Fairtrade certification helps the farmers and workers behind our products get paid more fairly, have safe working conditions, and benefit from community development initiatives. It’s not just about quality ingredients—it’s about creating a resilient supply chain rooted in transparency, equity, and long-term sustainability,” said Stephanie Yoder-Schulte, Marketing Lead, Frontier Co-op.

“When members of our team traveled to Sierra Leone, we met many of these farmers as we visited communities within their cooperatives. In that trip, we learned quite a lot, but one of the core takeaways was just how positive an impact Fairtrade can have on the farmers that take part. We saw cooperatives working to strengthen social bonds across villages through the building of shared community spaces, investing in health and wellbeing by creating private spaces for expecting mothers, and fortifying their businesses through collective seedling nurseries and solar drying facilities,” said Daniel Klausner, Director of Commercial Strategy & Impact, Hu.

“We’ve got to keep it real. If business and our society don’t support dignified farmer livelihoods, then it negatively affects the profit of farmers like Marie. We need to stay connected to farming communities to ensure they prosper and thrive. Ben & Jerry’s has been proud to be one of the pioneers to stand behind the Fairtrade movement and will continue to use our corporate voice to encourage our fans and the global community to join in on the effort,” said Cheryl Pinto, Global Head of Values-Led Sourcing, Ben & Jerry’s.

Farmers

“Through cocoa farming and working with Fairtrade, I have constructed a house and educated my children. Also, most importantly, I’m empowered to speak up and participate in the cooperative decision-making process,” said Aminata Sannoh, Cocoa Farming Chief, Munafa Cocoa Cooperative.

“Today, at 78 years old, I’m proud to say I’m in good health, and I attribute part of that to the peaceful and supportive life made possible by the Fairtrade Premium benefits,” said A.G. Nandasena, Spice Farmer, Small Organic Farmers Association.

“It is thanks to the support we received that our lives have taken a new turn. We are more motivated than ever to continue working hard. In addition, we identified follower farmers from within our cooperative with whom we share our knowledge,” said Marie Ronette Botramisy, Lead Farmer, LAFIMA Vanilla Cooperative.

Retailers

“Fairtrade Month gives us a meaningful opportunity to amplify the stories behind the products on our shelves. We chose to participate because we believe that conscious consumerism starts with awareness. When shoppers understand where their food comes from and the impact of their choices, they’re more likely to support a more just and equitable global food system. This campaign lets us bring that message to life in a powerful and visual way,” said Mike Holland, Store Manager, Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market. 

“Many people feel more disconnected than ever from where their food comes from and disenfranchised by the corporate monopolies that dominate the food industry. Co-ops allow people to have a choice in the marketplace. We are noticing an increased vigor from shoppers to be intentional with their food dollars, making it clear people want to be part of the solution for a more equitable system that benefits all of us,” said Barb Danielson, Marketing Director, New Pioneer Food Co-op. 

“We believe whole-heartedly that co-ops help people enjoy a higher quality of life. When our members, friends, families and neighbors have access to sustainable, healthy and fairly traded goods and services, are better educated about food and social responsibility, and can support and strengthen the local economy through purchasing decisions, it creates positive ripple effects that benefit people near and far, like Marie and her community in Madagascar,” said Becky Squyer, Director of Marketing and Community Outreach, Sioux Falls Food Co+op. 

About Fairtrade America

Fairtrade America works to rebalance trade, making it a system rooted in partnership and mutual respect rather than exploitation. It’s about businesses, shoppers, farmers and workers all working together so we can all experience the benefits of trade. Fairtrade America is the U.S. branch of Fairtrade International, the original and global leader in fair trade certification with more than 30 years of experience working for fair trading practices in more than 30 countries across the globe. A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Fairtrade America is part of the world’s largest and most recognized fair trade certification program —part of a global movement for change. Learn more at fairtrade.net, and by connecting with Fairtrade America on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Ben & Jerry’s

Ben & Jerry’s is an aspiring social justice company that believes in a greater calling than simply making and selling the world’s best ice cream. The company produces a wide variety of super-premium ice cream and Non-Dairy/vegan desserts using high-quality ingredients and lots of big chunks and swirls. As a Certified B Corp, Ben & Jerry’s incorporates its vision of Linked Prosperity into its business practices via values-led sourcing initiatives when purchasing ingredients. Ben & Jerry’s is distributed in over 35 countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchised Scoop Shops, and via on-demand delivery services. Ben & Jerry’s, a Vermont corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Unilever, operates its business on a three-part Mission Statement emphasizing product quality, a fair financial return, and addressing issues of social, racial, and environmental injustice around the globe. The Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, guided by Ben & Jerry’s employees, granted $4.5 MM in 2024 to support progressive, justice-focused grassroots organizing around the country. For up-to-date information visit benjerry.com.

About Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market

Founded in 1989, we have been practicing the mantra of “nourish your body and soul” for 30 years and counting. Organically finding our stride as a full-service neighborhood market and health store, we have established ourselves as the unofficial anchor of Carytown, a community shopping staple, and stewards of preserving the future of food. Proudly showcasing local purveyors within 100 miles of the store, staying true to our core environmental values, we have earned the title as a trusted pinnacle of the local food movement.

About Erin Castle

Erin Castle is a curator, consultant, and arts advocate with twenty years of experience in the Sioux Falls creative community. A graduate of Augustana University with a BFA in painting, she has worked across arts businesses, custom framing, and consulting, and is now Curator at the Washington Pavilion’s Visual Arts Center and an Art Consultant for WPMI. Castle has been instrumental in bringing large-scale public art installations to Sioux Falls and serves on the board of the Sioux Falls Arts Council as well as several public arts committees. Alongside her curatorial work, she maintains her creative practice as a visual artist and musician and is a proud wife and mother of two. Follow her work on Facebook and Instagram.

About Frontier Co-op

Frontier Co-op® Founded in 1976 and based in Norway, Iowa, Frontier Co-op offers a full line of products for natural living under the Frontier Co-op, Simply Organic® and Aura Cacia® brands. Products include culinary herbs, spices and baking flavors; bulk herbs and spices; and aromatherapy products with a wide selection of organics. Frontier Co-op’s goal is to provide consumers with the highest-quality products while supporting and promoting social and environmental responsibility. For more information, visit the co-op’s website at frontiercoop.com.

About Hu

Hu was founded to unite simple ingredients and unbeatable taste and has been delivering on this ambition for over 12 years. The founders couldn’t find chocolate that met their standards of simple, responsibly sourced ingredients—so they created their own. The result was Hu’s award-winning chocolate, now crafted in a variety of forms, including dark and milk chocolate bars, baking chocolate, bites, and chocolate-covered nuts and fruit. Today, Hu continues its promise to pair strict ingredient guardrails with unbeatable taste. For more information about Hu please visit www.hukitchen.com and @hukitchen on social.

About Jason Ford

Jason Ford is a Richmond-based artist and the founder of Nosaj Authentics Brand, a creative vision born at the intersection of art, culture, and community. His work blends realism with layered symbolism, bold color and cultural storytelling. Through fine art, large-scale murals and engaging art experiences, Ford explores themes of identity, resilience, and community. Deeply influenced by hip hop and pop culture, his art invites viewers to pause, reflect and connect sparking conversations that go beyond the surface. Learn more at www.nosajauthentics.com.

About New Pioneer Food Co-op

New Pioneer Food Co-op is a community-owned grocery store in Eastern Iowa with local and organic food. Your place to shop local and organic produce, house-cut and cured meats, seafood, hearth breads and house-made meals.

About Sioux Falls Food Co+op

The Sioux Falls Food Co-op has been serving the greater Sioux Falls area since 1973. Currently, it is the only consumer-owned and governed grocery cooperative in the city. The Co-op is here to provide high quality foods in the most environmentally friendly and cost-efficient way possible. The store is committed to providing products grown and prepared in an environmentally responsible way, which means supporting local and organic producers as much as possible. Our store is based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity. We believe in the ethical values of inclusivity, honesty, openness, social responsibility, and caring for others. The Sioux Falls Food Co-op welcomes all.

About Thomas Agran

Born in Kentucky, raised in Ohio, and currently residing in Iowa City, Iowa, Thomas Agran is very interested in the Midwest — for both its charms as well as its challenges. He is particularly dedicated to the Midwestern landscape and its total transformation through agriculture, and the political, social, and environmental consequences of that change. Some of his paintings explore the complicated nexus of food, agriculture, nostalgia, and marketing. Direct observation is a central practice. Agran’s murals eschew the more garish, increasingly homogenous and repetitive mural tropes of “creative placemaking,” in favor of painterly language and the warmth of human touch as a central motif in public space. In addition to designing, executing, managing, and mentoring dozens of mural projects, Agran has taught university-level painting and drawing since 2011 and worked as the Director of Public Art for the Iowa City Downtown District.

LEEDS, England, October 1, 2025 /3BL/ – Antea Group UK is proud to announce that it has been selected as a key supplier for the Lancashire County Council Ground Investigation Framework. This significant four-year framework, valued at up to £1.03 million, will support a wide range of essential infrastructure and development projects across the region.

The contract, which marks Antea Group UK’s first successful public tender award, covers a comprehensive suite of ground investigation services, working to the UK specification for Ground Investigation 3rd Edition, including:

• Hand-excavated trial pits,
• Cable percussion boreholes,
• Rotary open hole and core drilling,
• Dynamic probing,
• Environmental probing,
• Road pavement and structural coring,
• Soil sampling and testing,
• The production of detailed factual and interpretative reports

This work will be crucial for projects ranging from new and existing highways and council buildings like schools to the potential treatment of mine shafts and shallow mine workings, along with the regeneration of brownfield sites.

“We are extremely pleased to have been awarded this framework,” said Alex Ferguson, CEO at Antea Group UK. “This is great achievement for our team, achieving the various accreditations and approvals required to win a public sector framework so soon after establishment of Antea Group UK represents a major milestone in our growth. We look forward to contributing our expertise to projects that will directly benefit the local communities of Lancashire. Our team is ready to deliver high-quality, reliable services that will ensure these critical infrastructure developments are built on a solid foundation.”

The framework is set to run until September 2029. Antea Group UK is committed to providing its services with the highest standards of safety, quality, and environmental responsibility, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on the region’s infrastructure.

About Antea Group UK 

Antea Group is an international engineering and environmental consulting firm specializing in full-service solutions in the fields of environment, infrastructure, urban planning and water. By combining strategic thinking and multidisciplinary perspectives with technical expertise and pragmatic action, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. With more than 3,250 employees in over 100 offices around the world, we serve clients ranging from global energy companies and manufacturers to national governments and local municipalities. Learn more: www.anteagroup.uk.

About Lancashire County Council 

Lancashire County Council is a local authority responsible for governing the county of Lancashire, England, serving over 1.4 million people and providing services like education, highways, and libraries. The council’s vision is to make Lancashire a great place to live, work, visit, and prosper, with priorities including supporting economic growth, caring for vulnerable residents, delivering better public services, and protecting the environment. Learn more: www.lancashire.gov.uk.

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