Tag: 3BL

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, OAKLAND Calif., September 11, 2026 /3BL/ – The 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting in Athens will feature remarks from Harry Theoharis. On September 16, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, responsible for Economic Diplomacy and Extroversion, will address hundreds of leaders from across the global consumer goods value chain gathered in Athens to explore how the industry can accelerate meaningful, system-wide transformation. He has previously highlighted the growing importance of resilience, trade, investment, and integration into global value chains amid geopolitical and economic shifts.

“Greece is pleased to welcome Cascale and leaders from across the global consumer goods value chain to Athens. At a time when trade, investment and global supply chains are being reshaped, international cooperation, resilience and sustainable growth are more important than ever. Greece is strengthening its role as a reliable partner, an attractive investment destination and a gateway to Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, while supporting innovation, competitiveness and stronger integration into global value chains.” — Harry Theoharis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece

“We are delighted to have Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Theoharis join us in Athens and open the second day of the Cascale Annual Meeting. His participation reflects the importance of bringing government and industry perspectives together as we work to build a more sustainable and resilient consumer goods industry. We look forward to welcoming him and our global community to Greece for three days of connection, candid conversation, and action.” – Ying McGuire, Cascale CEO

Key Takeaways

• Greek government leadership: Harry Theoharis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, will share remarks at Cascale’s 2026 Annual Meeting on September 16.
• Connecting policy and supply chains: Theoharis’ portfolio in economic diplomacy and international economic outreach brings a government perspective to discussions on trade, investment, resilience, and global value chains.
• Global leaders, shared challenges: More than 600 leaders from across the consumer goods value chain will gather in Athens to address the systemic barriers and opportunities shaping the industry’s future.
• From ambition to action: The Annual Meeting will focus on practical approaches to financing, collaboration, innovation, and policy that can accelerate measurable progress across global supply chains.

Connecting Global Supply Chains and Economic Diplomacy

Theoharis’ participation comes at a pivotal moment for global supply chains. Geopolitical tensions, shifting trade policies, technological transformation, and the sustainable transition are reshaping how companies approach sourcing, manufacturing, investment, and resilience.

In his current role, Theoharis has emphasized the importance of strengthening Greece’s position as a reliable partner, investment destination, and gateway to Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. He has also highlighted the need for productive investment that supports innovation, quality employment, infrastructure, and stronger integration into global value chains.

His remarks will broaden the policy and economic perspective to the Annual Meeting’s discussions about how businesses and stakeholders can work together to navigate interconnected challenges.

Turning Shared Priorities into Action

The 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting will focus on what comes next — bringing industry leaders together to explore practical ways to lessen the consumer goods industry’s environmental and social footprint while strengthening the people, companies, and communities that underpin global supply chains.

Across three days, attendees will connect with brands, manufacturers, retailers, policymakers, investors, and solution providers through keynote addresses, dynamic conversations, networking opportunities, and hands-on working sessions. The program is designed to encourage fresh thinking, build new connections, and turn shared priorities into meaningful progress long after the meeting concludes.

Greece’s role as the European Union’s leading cotton producer — responsible for approximately 80 percent of EU cotton production — will also take center stage through an optional field trip hosted by the European Cotton Alliance. The experience will offer attendees a closer look at sustainable sourcing, regenerative agriculture, and collaborative approaches to creating stronger, more resilient supply chains. Space is limited, and the field trip is open to all Annual Meeting attendees.

Join the Conversation in Athens

The 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting is proudly supported by lead sponsor, Worldly; additional sponsors include VF Corporation, Nike Inc., TAL Apparel Limited, Target  Corporation, Epic Group, Better Cotton, Fair Wear Foundation, European Cotton Alliance, GSCS International, HQTS,  Inspectorio, Lenzing, Solidaridad, ZDHC, and many more.

Learn more and register for the Cascale Annual Meeting 2026!

To learn more about sponsorship packages, please contact Cascale’s events team.

Media Contact: Forster Communications, cascaleforster@forster.co.uk 

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit industry alliance where consumer goods organizations turn shared sustainability ambitions into measurable progress at scale to combat climate change and support decent work for all. We unite 300 Corporate and Affiliate members in pre-competitive collaboration, turning shared measurement and collective action into reduced risk, stronger credibility, and long-term resilience. Our work is anchored by Cascale’s stewardship of the Higg Index frameworks (accessed through the Worldly technology platform), along with the Better Buying and Sustainable Furnishings Council tools.

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By Elizabeth Rooney

LSU New Orleans students preparing for careers in engineering and the energy industry will gain access to enhanced technology, research opportunities and hands-on learning through a combined $1.5 million investment from Entergy and Ampirical to modernize the university’s Power and Energy Research Laboratory.

Entergy will invest $750,000 funded by shareholders, with Ampirical committing an additional $750,000 over five years. The investments will support upgrades to PERL, including new simulation technology, modeling software and modern teaching tools, while also supporting scholarships, student recruitment and continued operation of the laboratory.

This initiative builds on LSU New Orleans’ longstanding ties to the energy industry and strengthens an existing pipeline connecting students with career opportunities.

“This investment is a prime example of what we want to accomplish at LSU New Orleans – connecting the education our students receive in the classroom with meaningful opportunities in the workforce when they graduate,” said Jeanette Weiland, interim chancellor and chief administrative officer of LSU New Orleans. “Our goal is to establish LSU New Orleans as the destination for engineering education in the New Orleans region, where students can gain the knowledge, hands-on experience and industry connections they need to build successful careers. With nearly 500 of our current students already working at Entergy and Ampirical, these relationships are also helping ensure Louisiana has the highly skilled engineering talent needed to support its future.”

Started in 2009 through a partnership between Entergy, the university and the State of Louisiana for establishment of the $2 million Entergy Endowed Chair in Power Systems Engineering in 2007, PERL gives students and faculty the opportunity to apply engineering concepts to real-world energy challenges. Since its inception, in addition to funding the establishment of the endowed chair, Entergy has provided more than $4.5 million for university research focused on electric grid reliability and resiliency, hurricane preparedness, blackout prevention, transmission systems, renewable energy integration and other emerging energy technologies.

“The power and energy industry has changed dramatically since PERL was established, and it is important that our students learn and train using the technology they will encounter in today’s workforce,” said Parviz Rastgoufard, Ph.D., Entergy Endowed Chair for Power Systems Engineering and Director of PERL. “This investment will allow us to upgrade the lab and provide students with an educational experience that reflects where the industry is headed.”

“Our partnership with LSU New Orleans demonstrates the tremendous value that comes from bringing industry, higher education and research together,” said Kimberly Cook-Nelson, Entergy executive vice president and chief operating officer. “This investment builds on that foundation by providing students with greater access to advanced technology and hands-on experience while supporting research that can help us address the evolving needs of the energy industry and the communities we serve.”

“As an engineering led services company, we know firsthand how important it is to develop a strong pipeline of talented engineers who are prepared for the demands of a rapidly changing industry,” said Matthew Saacks, Ampirical CEO. “Our investment in LSU New Orleans is an investment in those future professionals and in the educational and research opportunities that will help keep engineering talent here in our region.”

This initiative will also support LSU New Orleans’ longer-term vision of expanding PERL into a Power and Energy Research Institute. The proposed institute would broaden collaboration among LSU New Orleans, utilities and other industry partners; pursue additional research funding; and expand capabilities in power system modeling, simulation, analysis, testing and workforce training.

View original content here.

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

On a Friday afternoon, when many people were looking ahead to weekend plans, 31 Aflac employees gathered in a Columbus, Georgia, warehouse with a different purpose in mind. Surrounded by stacks of freshly cut lumber, power tools and workstations, they rolled up their sleeves to build something that would have a lasting impact on the lives of local children.

Their destination was Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a nonprofit organization with more than 400 chapters nationwide and a simple but powerful mission: ensuring that no child sleeps on the floor. The need is significant. Across the country, more than 108,000 children are currently waiting for a bed, including nearly 2,000 in the Columbus area alone.

In just three hours, Aflac volunteers transformed raw materials into 20 completed beds. Teams measured, cut and sanded lumber, assembled frames, stained wood and stacked slats — each step bringing them closer to providing a safe, comfortable place for a child to sleep.

For Ryan Walker, Aflac Compliance Resource Manager and longtime volunteer leader with the local SHP chapter, the impact of the organization’s work extends far beyond furniture.

“For many children, receiving a bed is transformative,” Walker shared with fellow volunteers. “It can mean better sleep, improved health, stronger focus in school and a renewed sense of self-worth. A bed becomes more than a piece of furniture — it becomes a foundation for growth and stability.”

The opportunity to make a tangible difference inspired employees to volunteer their time. The Columbus build was followed by a similar effort in June, when Aflac employees in Omaha partnered with their local SHP chapter to build and deliver beds for children in their community.

“I love the enthusiasm that SHP has about not allowing a child to sleep on a floor another night,” said Chevy Ingersoll, Aflac Sales Compliance Incentives Specialist. “I feel so blessed and honored to work for a company that gives us opportunities to come together as a team and serve our community. We enjoy working alongside one another because we know we’re making a difference — not only in the lives of others, but within our organization as well.”

For Compliance Analyst Yvonne Corbin, this volunteer opportunity especially meaningful. She and her family have supported Sleep in Heavenly Peace for years, and she welcomed the chance to introduce more colleagues to a cause close to her heart.

“Each experience is more meaningful than the last,” Corbin said. “Helping fulfill SHP’s mission alongside my colleagues is nearly as rewarding as seeing the joy on a child’s face when they receive a bed of their own.”

Volunteers may choose to help deliver and assemble the beds in the children’s homes. Each delivery includes a brand-new mattress, pillow and bedding set, turning a simple bed frame into a complete place of comfort and security.

While the beds built by Aflac employees will help reduce the growing waiting list, the need remains ongoing. Community members can support Sleep in Heavenly Peace by volunteering, donating funds or providing new bedding for children in need. Visit Sleep In Heavenly Peace to find opportunities to help in your local area.

ATLANTA, September 9, 2026 /3BL/ – Georgia-Pacific is committed to ensuring team members go home after their shift the same way they arrived at work. Many safety solutions implemented at our facilities are the result of collaboration among employees using their knowledge and skillset, along with innovative technology, to make our operations safer.

One such tool, Omni Pro, uses AI camera technology to help protect vulnerable users in manufacturing settings from accidents with industrial trucks.

This safety solution recently earned Georgia-Pacific recognition from the National Safety Council (NSC) during its 2026 NSC Safety Summit awards ceremony. Each year, the NSC honors two companies with its Networks Catalyst in Safety Award for developing and implementing innovative approaches to long-standing safety challenges. 

This video demonstrates how the tool functions in a manufacturing environment. Using AI technology, the camera recognizes a person in a mobile equipment pathway and has been implemented across Georgia-Pacific’s facilities.

At our corrugated facility in Denton, Texas, Georgia-Pacific team members also worked to better identify hazards and protect pedestrians. One significant risk identified at the site was a mobile equipment and pedestrian (MOPED) interaction in the parking lot entrance where employees and visitors cross active shipping lanes to enter the site. Team members installed an automated pedestrian crossing system with gates, crossing arms and signal lights. The system keeps pedestrian pathways open by default and automatically restricts access when trucks enter the area, allowing safer controlled movement for both pedestrians and vehicles. 

This safety initiative earned the company recognition from the Fibre Box Association for a second year in a row with the Innovation in Safety Achievement Award.

Georgia-Pacific empowers employees at every level within our organization to identify areas where risks exist and contribute to solutions that better address those hazards. Recognition by organizations such as the Fibre Box Association and the National Safety Council is a testament to the contributions and impact our teams have on our organization’s safety initiatives and commitment to helping share ways others can improve safety throughout our industry.

View original content here.

 

Cascale recently participated in Fashion Summit HK 2026, held at the Hong Kong Palace Museum under the theme “Code the Fashion Forward.”

Organized by Cascale affiliate member the Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA), the summit convened over 300 global consumer goods executives, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore the intersections of artificial intelligence, sustainability, and craftsmanship in reshaping the fashion landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• Hong Kong remains a center for sustainable fashion innovation and supply chain transformation in Asia.
• Speakers from Alibaba’s TMall Group, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Mastercard, and InvestHK explored the power of data.
• Cascale maintained a strong representation at Fashion Summit HK 2026.

Opportunities to Deepen Asia-Pacific Engagement 

Cascale’s Betty Li, Howard Kwong, Nicole Lee Kauer, and Jinxin Jiang engaged with key regional stakeholders to strengthen organizational visibility and deepen industry partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region.

As part of these engagement efforts, Cascale introduced Sophie You – who is the newly appointed senior director of manufacturer member activation – to key regional leaders. Among them were Man Lau, executive director at the Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA), Sunny Tan, member of the HKSAR Legislative Council (Textiles & Garment), Pat-Nie Woo, chairman of the Sustainable Fashion Business Consortium (SFBC) and senior executives from InvestHK. Legislative Councilor  Tan also gave an opening keynote address on how Hong Kong is an international sustainable textile and fashion hub.

The summit provided a strategic platform to connect with prominent brands, retailers, tech leaders, and institutional stakeholders, including speakers from Alibaba’s TMall Group, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Mastercard.

A Spotlight on Data, Innovation 

Discussions during the event underscored Hong Kong’s vital position as a center for sustainable fashion innovation and supply chain transformation in Asia. Key discussions centered around the importance of regional associations (such as the Singapore Fashion Council and the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), potential networking opportunities in the Greater Bay Area, and how to enhance academic and commercial collaboration.

There are a number of upcoming exchange initiatives, cross-border manufacturer tours, collaborative research projects with regional academic and commercial partners across the Greater Bay Area and manufacturing centers in Mainland China that support supply chain decarbonization and digital transformation.

 To learn more about Cascale’s global event participation and regional initiatives, visit our latest News & Press Updates.

Originally published by Fast Company. 

The world only needs so many park benches. 

Back in 2015, we launched an industry-first biopharma recycling program to address the new and fast-growing challenge of single-use plastics. At the time, the industry was shifting away from stainless-steel manufacturing systems toward single-use technologies, such as disposable bioreactor bags, filters, and assemblies used to produce life-saving therapies. 

Sustainability drove this transition, even if it didn’t look that way at first glance. 

Continue reading on Fast Company. 

With school back in session, students everywhere are looking for additional income. For a college student or young adult, the idea of starting a business can sound expensive before it even begins. 

There’s the website. Branding. Software. Advertising. Equipment. Maybe inventory. And if you start looking into funding, you can quickly find yourself reading about loans, investors and business credit cards. 

But what if you don’t need most of that yet? 

If you’re turning a skill, hobby or side project into a way to make money, the first goal isn’t to build a fully-fledged business overnight. It’s to find out whether someone is willing to pay you for what you can offer. 

That distinction can make starting feel a lot less intimidating. 

What do you need to start a business as a college student? 

Think about the simplest version of the business you could start in the next 30 days. 

If you’re a hobbyist photographer, for example, you might offer graduation photos. If you design graphics in your spare time, you could create social media content for a local business. If you’re good at shooting video, you could make short-form content for a restaurant or student organization. 

In each case, your initial needs may be surprisingly simple: 

• Something people are willing to pay for 
• A clear explanation of what you’re offering 
• A few examples of your work 
• A way for people to contact you 
• A way to get paid 

That’s your starting point. 

You probably don’t need a custom office, expensive advertising campaign or dozens of branded products before you’ve made your first sale. 

Even your online presence doesn’t have to be complicated. A domain and simple website can give you an owned place to show your work, explain your services and give potential customers a way to take the next step. Tools such as GoDaddy Airo can help simplify getting that online presence up and running, so you can spend more time testing the idea itself. 

What are the things you should consider when starting a business if you don’t have much money? 

One of the easiest ways to overspend is to treat every possible business expense as a day-one expense. 

Instead, make two lists. 

• Need now: the things required to actually offer and deliver your product or service. 
• Can wait: the things that might make the business more polished but aren’t necessary to get your first customer. 

A professional logo might be nice. A basic, clean website may be enough for now. 

Paid advertising might eventually help. Sharing your work with classmates, friends-of-friends, social media channels, local businesses or people in your community could be the better first step. 

Premium software might save time later. If you’re only serving a handful of customers, you may be able to start with tools you already have. 

The point isn’t to avoid spending money. It’s to make sure every early expense has a job. 

How much should you budget to start a business? 

If you’re still in school or working your first job, you probably don’t have unlimited money to experiment with. That’s not necessarily a disadvantage. 

Give yourself a small, defined budget for the first 30 days. 

Write down what you’ll spend to get the idea in front of real people. Then ask yourself what would have to happen before you’re comfortable spending more. 

Maybe your rule is: I won’t invest in paid advertising until I’ve made my first $500. 

Or: I won’t buy additional equipment until I’ve booked five customers. 

Those aren’t universal rules, but creating your own milestones can keep a promising idea from turning into an expensive experiment before you’ve established that there’s demand. 

There may also be costs you can’t simply postpone. Depending on what you’re doing and where you operate, business registration, licenses, insurance, taxes or specialized equipment may be necessary. Those are worth researching before you start taking customers. 

How do you know if people will actually pay for your business idea? 

For a college student or young entrepreneur testing a business idea, the most valuable thing you can buy isn’t necessarily something that makes the business look bigger. 

It’s something that helps you learn whether the business can work. 

Can you get someone to book you? Will someone be willing to pay your price? Do people understand what you’re offering easily? Can you deliver the product or offering without spending more than you make? 

Those answers are more important early on than whether your business has perfect branding or an elaborate marketing strategy. 

Starting small doesn’t mean you’re not serious. It means you’re giving yourself room to learn before making a bigger commitment. 

And if your idea works, you can reinvest what you earn into making it better. 

You don’t have to build the whole business today. You just need to spend enough to give the idea a real chance. 

What free resources are there for college students who want to start a business?

For college students who are ready to launch their brand or start their business, GoDaddy Empower is offering a free domain and access to website building tools for three years.*  

To learn more, visit www.godaddy.com/godaddy-for-good/empower.  

 

^{*Offer only available in U.S. higher education institutions at this time.} 

The sustainability pushback tracked in this newsletter in the past few years often targets companies — their emissions and diversity goals, their ESG reports, and their compliance with reporting mandates. The news we present in this issue aims, instead, at the “gatekeepers” of the sustainability disclosure ecosystem.

Institutions in the crosshairs this week include regulators in the EU, auditing teams at Big Four accounting firms, U.S. states with EPR programs, and standard-setters like ISSB, TCFD, CDP, SBTi. Read on to see how each one responded.

As reported by ESG Dive, the U.S. Ambassador to the EU said that the late-2025 Omnibus Package of reforms to the CSRD — which has been calculated to remove roughly 90% of companies from scope — “failed to fully address U.S. concerns.” The Ambassador indicated that Washington “will take any actions necessary,” with double materiality named among U.S. objections.

Meanwhile, attorneys general from 16 states questioned Deloitte, EY, KPMG, and PwC over their ties to the TCFD, the ISSB, and a net-zero alliance that ceased operating in January 2026, Responsible Investor reports.

The courts are the scene of an ongoing confrontation over packaging. Packaging Dive reports that the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, in a case led by 17 states’ attorneys general, is seeking a preliminary injunction against California’s SB 54. But a federal trial about Oregon’s EPR program, also brought by the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, concluded in July, and the judge ruled on August 27  that the program is not unconstitutional, reports Practical ESG. We understand that this is the first U.S. federal trial court decision upholding a state’s EPR packaging statute against constitutional challenges. The outcome gives new weight to a comment from Foley & Lardner: “While Oregon is the bellwether, California is the main event.” We’ll be watching to see if, indeed, California’s EPR program also survives the test. Producers navigating the shifting regulatory map can lean on our EPR support team.

A new analysis released this week showcases what happens when companies proceed despite political headwinds. G&A published Trends in Climate Risk Reporting, which presents fresh, first-of-its-kind research with Ceres of the 154 climate-risk reports filed voluntarily under California’s SB 261. We consider them “voluntary” despite the mandatory nature of the law, because litigation has paused enforcement, and more than 150 companies filed anyway.

Assessment of the initial SB 261 submissions points to a sizeable gap between the business risks exacerbated by climate change, and an estimate of their financial impact. Investors describe the same gap. Responsible Investor’s inaugural Climate Risk and Resilience Survey cites the head of climate at Amundi calling most corporate disclosure on climate-related risk “qualitative at best” and “extremely difficult to benchmark.”

The ISSB — one of the initiatives named in the attorneys general’s letter — has its next five years funded. ESG Today reports that the IFRS Foundation approved five-year operating and financing plans that secure the Board’s resources through 2031 and add a Geneva office in 2027. More than 45 jurisdictions now use the ISSB’s standards, – IFRS S1 and IFRS S2.

Other stories in the issue examine how the disclosure system is evolving: Responsible Investor asks what CDP’s restructuring and SBTi’s revised net-zero standard mean for investors — developments that our CDP response and SBTi target-setting teams know well. ESG Dive reports a UC Berkeley finding that S&P 500 companies that kept their DEI commitments performed as well as or better than peers that rolled them back.

From the G&A team: a new blog on the finalized EU Deforestation Regulation and its first compliance deadline coming up in four months, our Side by Side research with Ropes & Gray, and our issue brief on Responsible AI Due Diligence.

Come talk about all of this with us! Registration is open for Resilient Leadership, our September 16 webinar with S&P Global on what 25 years of sustainability disclosure and the Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) teach about what comes next.

This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.

Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News

It’s time to stop sleeping on sandwiches—these lunchtime staples have a lot going for them. You have to appreciate the efficiency of packing all the food groups between two slices of bread. And a sandwich is not a lazy or lesser meal. In fact, it’s one of the easiest ways to get yourself a balanced meal in three minutes flat. Here’s how…

The Sandwich Solution for a Healthy Meal

Putting together a sandwich can be a great exercise in thoughtful food preparation. For one, you’re prompted to think about the components as you’re layering them. And this puts you in a good position to make intentional ingredient choices. Here’s what each main component provides:

• Bread or wrap: carbohydrates, whole grains, fiber, vitamins, and minerals
• Spread: fat and some vitamins (could also provide some fiber depending on what you use)
• Animal or plant-based filling: protein, vitamins, and minerals (and maybe some fiber depending on plants used)
• Vegetables: fiber and a slew of vitamins, minerals, and other phytonutrients

Build a Healthy, Balanced Sandwich

To assemble a sandwich or wrap, of course you’ll first consider which ingredients you prefer for their taste. Then look at all the options that can take your meal from boring and basic to balanced and brilliant. Level up each layer of your sandwich so that together they make a delicious and balanced meal.

The Bread or Wrap

Here’s a chance to make the major carbohydrate aspect of your sandwich do some heavy lifting. Look for a bread that provides at least 3-4 grams of fiber per slice (6+ grams for a wrap). Look for options that list whole grain flours as the first ingredient, and don’t forget that tortillas made with legumes or flax can make good wraps too (although they may not be as pliable as wheat-based versions). Nuts and seeds in a bread or wrap may also slightly increase its fiber as well as protein. Short on time to read all the labels in the bread aisle? Let Guiding Stars show you the way to a delicious, higher-fiber, Star-earning bread or wrap.

The Spread

There are so many things you can spread on bread for flavor and added moisture. Many of them are a source of fat—not necessarily a bad thing! Healthy fats are an important part of a balanced diet. Mayonnaise is a classic and yes, there are plenty of mayo options that earn three Guiding Stars for their use of healthy fats as the first ingredient (think avocado, safflower, canola, or soy oil) and limited additives to limit. Outside of mayonnaise-type spreads, consider these options that feature healthy fats:

• Mashed avocado or guacamole (consider making our Yogurt Guacamole)
• Hummus
• Pesto
• Tzatziki
• Greek yogurt mixed with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice
• Blended cottage cheese mixed with herbs and spices
• Your favorite hot sauce mixed with silken tofu or Greek yogurt
• Nut or seed butter

Condiments that don’t contribute healthy fats are not off-limits. However, they often lack redeeming nutritional qualities and contain substantial amounts of added sodium, sugars, and other ingredients you may want to avoid. This is why ketchup and mustard don’t earn Guiding Stars, for example. You can check whether or not your favorite condiments earn Guiding Stars by using the Food Finder tool.

The Filling

Give your sandwich some staying power with a protein-rich filling. Sliced meat or poultry, eggs, and fish-based fillings are common, and a veggie-based one can also provide adequate protein. Deli meats are typically high in sodium, but some low-sodium brands are available (check at the deli counter). To avoid the extra additives sometimes found in sliced deli meat, consider using meat or poultry you’ve cooked at home (such as roasted chicken or turkey breast). Even leftover proteins like boneless pork tenderloin or baked fish can make a good sandwich filling.

If a plant-based option is preferable, try a bean filling. Mashed chickpeas are a good choice (like in this Buffalo Chickpea Salad Wrap or this Garbanzo Salad filling). Edamame or white beans also work well, as do lentils (such as in this Spicy Lentil Wrap with Tahini Sauce). If you’re interested in soy-based protein options, try seasoned tofu or tempeh. And layering on a bunch of your favorite vegetables can provide a hearty meal, like with this Green Goddess Sandwich. To boost the protein in plant-based sandwiches, select a higher-protein bread or wrap.

The Vegetables

That sad, wilted lettuce leaf and lone tomato slice don’t contribute much in the way of taste or nutrition. It’s time to bump up the flavor, texture, and nutrients by packing your sandwich with plenty of produce. Go for veggie volume by adding a substantial layer—they’ll count for something and balance out the other ingredients! Use whatever vegetables suit your taste. For something different, try shredded slaw vegetable mix (no dressing) or leftover roasted or grilled vegetables. Any (undressed) vegetable salad will work too. Or just load that sandwich up with plenty of colorful and crunchy seasonal fresh vegetables. They’re best when thinly sliced for stacking or cut into matchsticks (nice for wraps). And while you’re at it, don’t forget fresh herbs like basil, parsley, tarragon, dill, and chives. They’ll bump up the flavor as well as add nutrients.

About Guiding Stars

Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores, in Circana’ Attribute Marketplace, and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.

Photo: Blackened Salmon Sandwich – 3 Guiding Stars

Originally published by National Park Foundation

WASHINGTON July 29, 2026 /3BL/ – The National Park Foundation announced today that it has awarded $5 million in grants to strengthen the organizational and philanthropic capacity of 77 park partners, official nonprofit organizations that support specific national parks or regions through philanthropic giving, program management, vital park infrastructure, volunteer coordination, and much more. This year’s capacity-building grants represent NPF’s largest investment to-date to further the collective impact of philanthropy in national parks.

Demands on the national park community are growing, which is why it’s important to invest in partners to accelerate their growth and catalyze new funding. NPF began deploying capacity-building grants in 2020 to support partners as they build new capabilities, increasing their impact on-the-ground in national parks.

With more than 270 grants issued to date, NPF has helped park partners across the country invest in creative solutions to their most pressing internal needs. Some grantees identify a new website as their greatest priority, while others focus on launching a major gifts program or strengthening strategic partnerships with the National Park Service site or sites they support. In a recent assessment, grantees reported growth in their revenue at a rate nearly twice as fast as non-grantees — with 94% of grantees increasing revenue — between 2020 and 2024.

“Behind so much of the work happening in our national parks are nonprofit partners committed to helping these special places thrive and endure,” said NPF’s Chief Program Officer Lise Aangeenbrug. “The National Park Foundation is proud to be part of the broader national park community and continue our investments in empowering park partners to raise more support, engage more people, and take on new opportunities alongside the National Park Service. That’s good for parks, and it’s good for everyone who cares about them.”  

This year’s 77 grantees will expand fundraising and marketing efforts, board and staff development, system upgrades, membership programs, and more. A few highlights include:

• Great Basin National Park Foundation will focus on scaling its annual revenue and number of individual donors to better support Great Basin National Park in time for the park’s 40th anniversary.
• Glacier National Park Conservancy will launch targeted campaigns and measurably expand its philanthropic support for Glacier National Park by enhancing data systems to strengthen its donor engagement.
• Manassas Battlefield Trust will develop a comprehensive marketing plan, including digital marketing and advertising, a promotional video, and more to increase MBT’s brand visibility, revenue, and overall impact in Manassas National Battlefield Park.
• National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation will fortify and formalize its park alliance model through comprehensive assessments, convening park stakeholders and partners, and developing both park-specific alliance plans and a unified regional strategic plan to better champion Isle Royale National Park, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Grand Portage National Monument, and Keweenaw National Historical Park.
• Overmountain Victory Trail Association will hire and onboard its first paid executive staff, transitioning from its model from a capable, all-volunteer organization to a more professional, sustainable, and resilient nonprofit partner for Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.

View the full list of this year’s grantees here.

NPF is proud to bolster the capacity of park partner organizations, made possible thanks to generous partners and donors, including Subaru of America, Inc., Pisces Foundation, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Susan Byrd, and many other supporters whose contributions help advance this work.

Editor’s note: For press interested in learning more about capacity building projects or connecting with a grantee, please contact the National Park Foundation media team at media@nationalparks.org. 

ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION

The National Park Foundation works to protect wildlife and park lands, preserve history and culture, educate and engage youth, and connect people everywhere to the wonder of parks. We do it in collaboration with the National Park Service, the park partner community, and with the generous support of donors, without whom our work would not be possible. Learn more at nationalparks.org.