How Local Vendors are Sustainable

December 6, 2014 – I did not know I would rediscover my passion for sustainability practices from visiting this unique and fascinating Pawtucket Wintertime Market located at the Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket RI. I have been to a handful of farmers market before and have volunteered at Thai Craft Organization, a non-profit organization that supports Thai local artisans to be self-sufficient. During my visit to the Pawtucket Wintertime Market, I talked to two vendors: Apponagansett Farm and BABS.

Apponagansett Farm

Apponagansett Farm is a family farm located in Dartmouth, MA. All their products are of high quality and sustainably grown. Their crops are grown without synthetic chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. Their pasture raised eggs come from hens that are raised on free-range and fed organic and GMO-free grain.

I was particularly interested in their pasture raised eggs because I have been to a farm where hens are raised in a coop. I wondered how this difference could make one egg better than the other egg. To test my hypothesis, I bought a dozen of eggs from the vendor and gave it a try. I can conclude that the eggs taste more delicious and the yolks are golden, making it perfect for a sunny side.     

On a supply chain, this vendor is also a producer. They grow their own crops and raise free-range hens. All their products are sold at their community supported agriculture, farm stand, farmers market and local natural food stores. Sustainability is communicated since the start of the supply chain since they are a producer themselves. As they sell their products, they inform their customers about how their products are sustainably grown.  

Interesting Fact:

The 150 hens on the farm are protected by a small number of roosters

BABS

BABS is a small retailer located in Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket, RI. The owners, Gail Solomon and Barbara Materna, design and make handmade handbag collections in-store. The material used in these handbags come from Asia, Germany, Peru and Italy. 

During our conversation, Gail brought up an organization, Aide to Artisans. It is a non-profit organization that brings American designers and artisans to help artisans in third world countries to better market and bring their products back to the United States to be sold. They hope to help local artisans be economically sufficient. Within the local community, Gail and Barbara hope to offer jobs along the way by opening a place, because as of now, they outsource the handbag handles to be made by a third party.

On a supply chain, BABS is a retailer and a producer. Although the raw material used in the handbags are from other producers from around the world, Gail and Barbara make these handbags themselves. From the point of producing the bags up until the point of selling them, it is under the control of Gail and Barbara to communicate their passion for sustainability and handcrafts to customers through their amazing collections. 

Interesting Fact:

Barbara is a writer 

Gail is a graphic designer

Both vendors are producers and retailers. They have the advantage of relaying their passion and information on sustainability to their customers since they make and sell their own products. Based on the conversations I had with these two vendors, Apponagansett Farm has a higher commitment to sustainability than BABS. All in all, both vendors are committed to keeping their products local, giving back to the community and being sustainable.  

Written by Eaindra Aung

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