Tag: 3BL

AUSTIN, Texas, May 19, 2025 /3BL/ – Whole Foods Market Foundation is excited to announce that 10 community-led nonprofit organizations in Newark, New Jersey have been awarded up to $20,000 each through the Newark Fresh, Healthy Food Access Grant.

In the nine years since the Foundation started the Whole Cities Newark Fresh, Healthy Food Access grant, over $1.4 million has been awarded to community-led organizations that are spearheading an increase in long-term access to fresh, healthy food across all five wards of Newark. In that time, the Newark community has developed innovative ways to reach more community members with fresh food access through approaches like community gardens, urban farms, farmers’ markets, healthy cooking classes, agricultural skills development programs, and more!

Since the grant’s inception in 2017, the goal has always been to provide Newark community leaders with the resources they need to drive — and sustain— long-term change. With the last year of formal funding in Newark, the Foundation will help support this transition through initiatives like Leadership and Business Developing Training, where partners can receive one-on-one grant writing, bookkeeping and business development mentoring from subject matter experts. The Foundation is inspired by the momentum of the Newark community to continue expanding access to healthy food and nutrition education.

“Whole Cities has been honored to support locally led organizations increasing access to healthy food across Newark for the past 9 years. During that time, I’ve been inspired to witness the collaborative spirit of so many leaders in this community, which not only fosters a healthy environment but also enables food access efforts to go further, faster,” said Dianna Purcell, Director of Programs at Whole Foods Market Foundation.

This year, the Foundation is awarding a total of $197,199 across the following ten Newark-based organizations that are committed to broadening long-term access to fresh, healthy food and nutrition education:

Al Munir, LLC, Apiary in the Sky, LLC, Clinton Hill Community Action, Giving One Tenth Community Garden, Green Garden Bunches, Ironbound Community Corporation, KIDS IN BUSINESS, INC., Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, STEAM URBAN, and Urban Agriculture Cooperative.

The Newark Community Advisory Council has been instrumental in helping the Foundation evaluate grant applications for the Newark Fresh, Healthy Food Access grant. Their deep knowledge of their community is invaluable in identifying projects that will truly serve Newark’s communities. Having local leaders and community members guide these decisions ensures we’re directing resources where they’ll have the greatest impact – from expanding access to fresh food to supporting nutrition education. The council members have generously shared their time and expertise, and their guidance has been crucial in strengthening Newark’s food ecosystem.

“Partnering with Whole Cities has been a true pleasure to expand fresh food access in Newark,” said Sabrina Ross, a Newark Community Advisory Council member. “Their investment in our community has helped plant seeds of health, hope, and empowerment. Together, we are creating a stronger, more vibrant Newark where every family has the opportunity to thrive through access to fresh, healthy food.”

For more information on Whole Cities’ Newark Fresh, Healthy Food Access Grant program, including a list of past grant partners, visit wholecitiesfoundation.org/grants/newark-nj.

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ABOUT WHOLE FOODS MARKET FOUNDATION

Whole Foods Market Foundation works to nourish people and the planet by providing access to essential resources to improve nutrition and create opportunities for financial stability. The registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, based in Austin, Texas, encompasses the pillars of Whole Cities, Whole Kids and Whole Planet. For more information on the Foundation’s work, visit wholefoodsmarketfoundation.org. For ongoing news and updates, follow Whole Foods Market Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Sandra Mariscal, Director of Philanthropy
Sandra.Mariscal@wholefoods.com

by Steve Hoffman of Compass Natural Marketing

The market for organic food and agriculture has grown significantly since the National Organic Program was first established in 2001, placing the USDA Certified Organic seal on products that qualify for this distinction. Today, it’s a $70-billion market that’s been growing an average of 8% per year. And while it may be maturing, younger consumers, including new parents and their babies, are eating it up. And now, in the post-pandemic era, investors are once again paying attention to the potential of organic and regenerative products and brands that take into account health and the environment, and how the way we produce our food and consumer products affects climate change.

A survey released recently by the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the industry’s leading trade group, found that organic’s benefits to personal health and nutrition are resonating deeply with Millennials and Gen Zer’s, making them the most committed organic consumers of any generation. Also, a February 2025 study by the Acosta Group, one of the nation’s top natural and organic products sales firms, reflected that 75% of all shoppers purchased at least one natural or organic product in the six months prior to the survey, with 59% responding that they think it’s important that their groceries and/or household products are natural and organic because they “are better for them” and “they tend to have fewer synthetic chemicals and additives.”

Natural and Organic Industry is a Force. Overall, the natural and organic products industry combined has more than tripled in size since 2007, growing from $97 billion in sales in 2007 to over $325 billion in 2024, according to data compiled by New Hope Network, SPINS (a division of Nielsen), Whipstitch Capital and others.

Read more investment insights in Steve’s article and watch a Video from the 2025 Expo West here– https://greenmoney.com/investing-in-the-earth-natural-organic-and-regenerative-food-and-ag-surges-in-popularity

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Ready to go green at your next event? Drawdown Georgia’s free toolkit, “How to Make Your Event More Sustainable in Georgia,” provides everything you need to get started—from venue selection checklists to questions for caterers, from waste management strategies to recommendations for local sustainable vendors.

Check out the toolkit today and join Georgia’s community of forward-thinking event professionals creating gatherings that not only bring people together but also protect our shared environment. Together, we’re bringing climate solutions home–one event at a time.

Starting a small business takes a vision and resources that not every entrepreneur has at their fingertips. As the foundation of our communities, small businesses often require a full suite of financial of solutions* to meet their needs. That’s why KeyBank’s Small Business Administration (SBA) Specialists take the time to understand each business owner’s needs and create tailored financial solutions that help them achieve their goals

KeyBank’s SBA Loans Put Businesses First

As one of the nation’s top SBA Preferred Lenders for over 20 years¹, KeyBank offers a full suite of SBA loan programs, including the SBA 7(a) loan, the SBA 504 loan, the SBA Express Loan Program. We work closely with entrepreneurs to identify the right loan solution that fits their business goals, whether that’s navigating ownership transitions or securing* growth financing to purchase new equipment, facilities, or inventory.

With a fully dedicated SBA lending platform, from loan origination through closing, KeyBank ensures that business owners can efficiently access the capital* they need while receiving the highest level of service from our specialized SBA lending staff. The goal is to provide custom support to make accessing capital easier, faster, and more personal for small business owners at every stage of growth.

“Getting capital* into the hands of more small businesses is a critical part of KeyBank’s purpose of helping the communities we serve thrive,” said Jim Fliss, National Manager of KeyBank’s SBA Program. “These small businesses are the backbone of our economy and they have shown such resiliency in recent years. We are committed to helping more small businesses take advantage of the benefits the SBA lending programs have to offer.”

KeyBank’s SBA Loans Make Real Impact

SBA lending programs are pivotal to meeting the evolving needs of small business owners, and KeyBank’s impact is evident in its reach. Since 2015, KeyBank has provided $2.8 billion in SBA-guaranteed financing to thousands of small business owners, with $1.2 billion financed within just the past four years.² $11 billion in critical funding has also been dispersed through SBA-approved PPP loans.³

Visit www.key.com/small-business/banking/loans-lines/sba-loan-programs.html for more information.

KeyBank’s Commitment to Small Businesses

KeyBank is committed to investing in the communities we serve by helping the businesses that power them thrive, and Key’s continued growth reflects the real impact of that commitment.

Complementing our industry-leading SBA offerings, Key is proud to be a true relationship bank that offers holistic financial solutions including treasury*, merchant*, and wealth management services for the company, the entrepreneur and the company employees.

By emphasizing an advice-driven philosophy, KeyBank aims to strengthen relationships with business owners and help them achieve long-term success in an increasingly complex financial landscape. To learn more about how KeyBank can serve your business, visit www.key.com/smallbusiness.

CFMA #250513-3215228

¹Source: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) from August, 1997 to October, 2024.

² Source:Statistics released by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) October, 2024 for total approved loans through the SBA’s 7(a) lending program during the federal fiscal year ending 9/30/2024.

³ Source: KeyBank Doubles SBA 7(a) Lending Volume, Remains a Top Small Business Lender in the Country

*All credit products, merchant services, treasury products are subject to collateral and/or credit approval, terms, conditions, availability and subject to change.

SBA loans subject to SBA eligibility.

Q: How would you describe Griffith Foods’ Progress on Sustainability?

A. We’ve built strong momentum. I’m very proud of all our Griffith Foods’ team members worldwide that have driven the progress we annually report. It is a holistic, cross-functional and sometimes messy effort that touches all corners of our business. Since sharing our Foundational Goals in 2020, we’ve embedded sustainability across our operations and have integrated goals into four core functions: manufacturing, purchasing, research & development, and human resources.

The teams embraced the challenge, implemented new processes, tools, and cross-functional ways of working to turn ambition into action. As we shift from our Foundational Goals to the 2030 Aspirations phase, we expand to all functions and are grounded in the progress we’ve made and energized by what’s ahead. With the right people, plans, and mindset in place, we’re well-positioned to drive meaningful, long-term impact.

Q: How do you build sustainability knowledge throughout Griffith Foods?

A. Our people will drive achievement of our Aspirations. We are investing in them to ensure they have the knowledge, capabilities and tools to deliver sustainable and regenerative transformation. This includes in-person and online learning and development, prioritizing personal growth plans, and updating all functional capabilities to include sustainability. We also expanded technical expertise and evolved existing jobs and responsibilities to be accountable for sustainability, not only those in the sustainability function. We’ve expanded career pathways and capabilities in areas like climate, human rights, product carbon foot-printing, nutrition, sustainable sourcing, alternative proteins, and impact reporting.

In 2024, we started rolling out sustainability courses through WBCSD’s Academy and launched a custom curriculum for customer-facing teams. We also created bundles of sustainability learning courses through LinkedIn Learning® and will soon begin manufacturing-focused upskilling via ISO 14001 implementation and custom huddle trainings. It’s all part of fostering a culture of continuous learning, inclusion, and shared purpose.

Q: Where do you see headwinds?

A. The global challenges —climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, growing inequality, human rights risks, and providing diverse and inclusive work environments for all—are complex and evolving. Rather than obstacles, at Griffith Foods, we view them as powerful opportunities to drive positive change. They inspire us to innovate, collaborate, lead with our values, and continue with more urgency on our journey to Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World™. By embracing these challenges, we future proof and grow our business, drive product innovation with our customers, partner with suppliers and farmers to scale regenerative farming, uplift our people, and contribute to thriving communities for all.

Q: Looking ahead, what’s next for Griffith Foods’ sustainability strategy?

A. To scale, we must more quickly identify and build resilient partnerships and ecosystems with like-minded partners. Central to our product portfolio transformation is the roll out of an improved innovation process that has nutrition and sustainability built in. This will provide more sustainable, nutritious, and delicious products for our customers, and support the adoption of alternative proteins. Finally, people will remain at the center of our work to implement new business models to deliver affordable and accessible nutrition for all and our net-zero road map, so that no one is left behind in the transition to a lower carbon world.

We believe food can nourish people and the planet. Our 2030 Aspirations provide the path forward, one that centers on innovation, resilience, and diverse perspectives to create a sustainable food system where everyone can thrive.

View original content here.

CAMDEN, N.J., May 19, 2025 /3BL/ – Subaru of America, Inc. today announced it has been recognized for the third year in a row as one of the top three brands on Forbes’ 2025 Best Brands for Social Impact list, including the distinction of being the top-ranked brand in the automotive category. Created in partnership with customer-insights company HundredX, the list highlights companies that consumers feel are the most dedicated to giving back to their communities. This aptly aligns with the automaker’s commitment to driving positive change nationwide through the Subaru Love Promise® and its mission to be More Than a Car Company®.

The 2025 survey gathered more than 4.4 million ratings from 165,000 consumers, evaluating 3,900 unique brands based on factors such as values, trust, social stances, sustainability, and community support. Respondents nominated brands independently, ensuring that the ranking celebrates organizations that integrate social impact into their core business strategy and match up with their customers’ values to create meaningful change.

Jeff Walters, President and Chief Operating Officer, Subaru of America, Inc.: “Giving back is at the heart of our company, and we’re proud to stand alongside other purpose-driven brands. Being ranked as the No. 1 automotive brand for the third consecutive year is a testament to the meaningful impact that our retailers are making in their local communities every day. Through the Subaru Love Promise initiative, we are fortunate to partner with organizations that create real, lasting change, and we appreciate the recognition.”

Forbes’ Best Brands for Social Impact survey was conducted between March 2024 and February 2025, with participants rating consumer brands on factors such as quality, value, and customer service.

For more information on Forbes’ Best Brands for Social Impact 2025, visit Forbes.com. To learn more about the Subaru Love Promise, visit Subaru.com/love-promise.

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 $320 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged over 100,000 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.

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

Adam Leiter
Corporate Communications Specialist
(856) 488-8668
aleiter@subaru.com 

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On April 25, during the Month of the Military Child, the Paramount Veterans Network teamed up with the Nickelodeon Community Efforts team to host another virtual Let’s Draw event for the Wounded Warrior Project and their families, this time with their favorite Nick artist and Marine Corps veteran, Jeff Sornig.

Jeff Sornig guided the kids through drawing their favorite Nickelodeon characters, including SpongeBob. To kick things off, we aired a short episode of SpongeBob SquarePants featuring the song “Best Day Ever.” One child even chimed in, saying April 25th really was the best day ever, especially because he didn’t have to wear a jacket (Sunny Day!), which drew laughter from everyone. The day wrapped up with the kids proudly sharing their amazing drawings. As a parting gift, Jeff created a custom coloring page just for them, which was sent out after the event.

“This event was pure joy. The kids didn’t just draw their favorite Nickelodeon characters, they owned it! What really struck me, though, was how engaged the families were when Jeff shared his journey from the Marine Corps to becoming a Nickelodeon artist. You could see how much it meant to them to connect with someone who shares the same background and is now living their dream, doing something so fun and creative. The smiles, the laughs, the connection, and the inspiration shared at the event reminded us why we do what we do. Huge thanks to WWP, NiCE, and the always-inspiring Jeff for making it truly unforgettable… “and the Best Day Ever!” said Betty Diaz, Paramount Veterans Network.

About The Paramount Veterans Network 

The Paramount Veterans Network offers Veterans, Active-Duty service members, National Guard, Reserve employees, their families and the community at large a forum for connecting, networking, and for personal and professional development. Paramount VetNet operates on the pillars of appreciation, resilience, action, and impact, demonstrating a profound commitment to honoring and supporting those who have served our country. By fostering a culture of accessibility, community, camaraderie and empowerment, Paramount continues its unwavering dedication to our nation’s veterans and their families, ensuring they continue to thrive long after they leave the service. For more information, please follow @ParamountVetNet on social platforms.

On May 6, 2025, 45 students from Southwire’s 12 for Life program in Carrollton, Ga., celebrated their high school graduation and completion of the program. The commencement ceremony, marking the program’s 18th year, was attended by Southwire leaders, local school officials and students’ loved ones.

12 for Life is a collaborative partnership between Southwire and local school systems in Carrollton, Ga., and Florence, Ala. The initiative offers classroom instruction, on-the-job training, essential work and life skills, mentoring, and employment opportunities.

Established in 2007, the 12 for Life program seeks to encourage students to stay in school, attain their diplomas and develop into successful members of their communities. The overarching goal for all participants is to complete the program and graduate high school, with a clear path towards employment, higher education or military enlistment. To date, more than 2,500 students have graduated from 12 for Life.

“It’s an honor to recognize all of the school systems who have come together with Southwire, who for years has contributed time, resources, and energy to help these students be successful,” said Scott Cowart, Superintendent for Carroll County Schools.

Seven graduates were awarded the Southwire SkillPointe Scholarship at the ceremony, each valued at $10,000. Now in its second year, this scholarship program is the result of the ongoing partnership between Southwire and the SkillPointe Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to innovative scholarship solutions. To be eligible for the award, students must be on track to graduate high school and have plans to enroll in a higher (secondary) education program, community college, technical school or vocational program within one year of graduating.

“Being a part of 12 for Life has helped me come out of my shell,” said Edwin Diaz, 2025 graduate from Bowdon High School and recipient of the Skillpointe Scholarship. “Through meaningful work and the opportunity to set and achieve goals, I’ve gained a strong sense of self-worth and pride in what I can accomplish.”

This year’s commencement featured a special keynote speaker. In honor of the company’s 75th anniversary, the commencement address was delivered by Nancy Richards Farese, noted photographer, artist, writer and social entrepreneur. Farese, the daughter of Southwire’s founder Roy Richards Sr., also serves as a Southwire board member.

“My hope is that you leave today more aware of what was important to you as a five-year-old child,” said Farese in her address to the graduates. “That kid is still you, and what was important to you then is still important to you now. This is the core of who you are; hold on to it, build on it and let it inform how you view the world.”

The Carrollton, Ga. Commencement marks the first of two graduation ceremonies for 12 for Life. A second ceremony for Florence, Ala. 12 for Life students will take place later this month.

To learn more about 12 for Life, click here. For more Southwire news, visit www.southwire.com/newsroom. 

CNH (NYSE: CNH) announces that it has signed an agreement with Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, to bring industry-leading satellite connectivity to farmers. This collaboration will provide customers of CNH brands, Case IH, New Holland and STEYR, with robust and affordable high-speed connectivity – further unlocking the benefits of a fully connected fleet – even in the most remote rural locations around the world.

“We’re thrilled to offer our customers access to industry-leading satellite connectivity, enabling them to maximize the potential of our full suite of precision technology in even the most challenging rural environments,” said Stefano Pampalone, Agriculture Chief Commercial Officer at CNH. 

How Starlink supercharges the delivery of CNH’s precision tech

Starlink’s advanced satellite network offers reliable, low-latency internet. This enables our intelligent machines to communicate and coordinate efficiently, enhancing productivity and yield. It seamlessly integrates with our FieldOps™ digital platform, giving our customers visibility of their machines and providing data from anywhere, anytime. It also gives our customers greater data streaming capabilities by keeping their farm management devices consistently connected, regardless of location.

Prescription spraying is another powerful use case where Starlink’s fast and reliable transmission technology will benefit farming operations. The lack of connectivity in a market such as Brazil, for example, can make farm logistics challenging. CNH’s FieldXplorer platform uses AI to transform drone images into a field map that distinguishes between weeds and crop. With Starlink we can now export that data near instantaneously to create a prescription spraying map for the machine. This enables farmers to apply crop protection products sooner, controlling weeds earlier, which ultimately helps improve crop yields.

This collaboration underscores CNH’s ongoing commitment to equipping farmers with reliable, tailored solutions that meet the unique demands of agriculture, while amplifying the capabilities of precision technology from wherever they are.

I have always had a dream to be part of a humanitarian mission that shares the same principles I believe in, to relentlessly save souls and alleviate suffering. When I joined Action Against Hunger as a humanitarian worker, I felt that my purpose in life had just begun; I was being given the unique opportunity to serve vulnerable people, particularly those in perilous situations.

From the beginning of the conflict in Gaza up until this very moment, Palestinians have suffered from horrific nutritional deprivation. The reality on the ground gets worse by the day, with constant border closures and blockades of all humanitarian aid, including nutritional supplies. Bakeries are forced to close their doors in the faces of hungry people. Obtaining a loaf of bread is now a wish, and staying alive is a challenge.

I never imagined that, throughout my mission, I would see children with frail, sunken bodies and eyes full of pain and agony; that I would see youthful faces telling a story of unimaginable suffering; or hear a child’s stomach echoing with hunger while he waits for but a drop in his bowl. I could not have anticipated the gut-wrenching sight of a lady gathering food scraps off the ground, or the sound of crying mothers, or the mournful silence of those praying for the crisis to end.

I come across so many cases of children facing malnutrition. My team and I try our best to help them so they can continue to live. I repeatedly ask myself: how can I offer mothers any sense of comfort, even a little? How can I reassure a mother about the wellbeing of her child when she does not know where she can get their next meal? And how can I speak to her about the importance of proper nutrition, when she has nothing that she can provide? Every time, this question haunts me: how can this mother stay resilient in the face of all these challenges and hurdles?

I work as a breastfeeding counselor with Action Against Hunger, and with every consultation, my worst fears are confirmed: there’s no end to this crisis. Breastfeeding and pregnant women are facing double the risk because their bodies are exhausted from pregnancy and childbirth, while enduring prolonged hunger and a severe lack of health and nutrition necessities. Not only are mothers’ health in jeopardy, but also the health of their babies. The situation continues to grow more catastrophic, and the acute shortage in aid is increasing alarmingly.

My colleagues and I continue to work with hearts full of determination despite all the challenges, continuously striving to find a glimmer of hope. Humanitarian work in Gaza is not merely a response to a crisis, but a testament to the resilience of people in the face of unthinkable hardships.

Our team believes that the work we do today, no matter how small it may feel, makes a difference in the lives of those children and women. For us, prospects of the continuation of humanitarian support and the reopening of the border crossings for aid delivery are not merely humanitarian demands and necessities for survival, but a crucial piece of hope that we cling to. Until then, between hunger and hope, countless stories of resilience and optimism for a better tomorrow will continue to be told day after day.