Big box retailer Walmart, has announced in a recent press release, that they are going to start using more local farmers for produce needs.

locally grown produce

Walmart is a massive corp, and as such, has killed any and every local business it sits next to. However, in recent times, they have set up a number of environmentally friendly initiatives, including this most locally minded project.

The use of local farmers for produce would create a stream of revenue for small mom and pop farming operations, and boost local economies. Not to mention provide a significant savings boost for the box discount retailer, in shipping costs. And customers stand to benefit as well, with fresher locally grown produce. Fresh tomatoes anyone?

Walmart has a long way to go before it is considered a beacon or poster child of sustainability, but it is moving towards that likeness.

via - eat.drink.better

At eco friendly retailer Patagonia, you can voice your choice. This is a new initiative that allows you as a customer to tell Patagonia what local environmental groups to support with a $4,000 grant they are giving away.

Patagonia has the Voice Your Choice campaign in all its US based stores (except Boulder), and voting takes place in the stores. What are you voting for? Each Patagonia store has a $4,000 grant they are giving away to a local environmental group. Which local group gets the grant, is what YOU decide.

Voting ends July 19th, and winners are announced in early August. To find out more on which local groups are in the running for the $4,000 grant, head to the Patagonia store locator.

The Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla Parker Bowles have unveiled their new house, although it is unlikely that they will ever be staying in the old farmhouse known as Llwynywormwood Estates in Wales as it has been converted into a luxury eco bed and breakfast.

The prices are likely to in the region of $1,200 to $2,000 per week, but this residence is a fully eco design, with organic food, furniture made from wood that comes from the local Royal estate, underground tanks for rain water collection the eco list just goes on.

One of the most famous brewers in England has come up with an innovative new brand, East Green is the first carbon neutral beer to be made and sold in the UK. This takes beer drinking to a new level and offers drinkers to keep the full flavour of beers, but with the option to go carbon neutral in the process.

East Green – Another great tasting Beer from the Coast:

A light golden beer with subtle citrus and grassy hop aromas, dry and refreshing with well-balanced bitterness.

4.3% abv

£ 1.79 ($4) 500ml

Maris Otter malted barley

Boadicea Hops

Where did the name come from?

There are many Greens in Southwold – the one outside our brewery is called East Green. Southwold is one of the UK’s most easterly towns, the ingredients come from the area and the beer has the best green credentials – the name of this beer just had to be East Green!

What makes it carbon neutral?

High yielding barley, grown and malted in East Anglia

English Boadicea Hops are naturally aphid-resistant, reducing need for pesticides

Adnams energy efficient brew house

Adnams lightweight beer bottle

Tiny amount of remaining CO2 will be offset.

Source [Adnams]