Welcome to Good Market Info!

Click the logo to return to the Good Market app

Welcome to Good Market Info! Click the logo to return to the Good Market global app.

New community members for December 2019

Good Market December 2019 Blog

Welcome to the 26 social enterprises, responsible businesses, and voluntary organizations that joined the Good Market community in December 2019! This month’s roundup includes new community members from Australia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Ghana. More than 1,190 enterprises across 37 countries are now part of the Good Market community. ❤ See them all at goodmarket.global.​

Esoko

Esoko

Accra, Ghana

Esoko is a pioneering technology social enterprise that drives economic empowerment to rural Africans through digital and financial inclusion. They started in 2008 by providing market prices to smallholder farmers over SMS. They now offer a wide range of mobile and web-based tools that help agribusinesses and development organizations reach rural communities with services that improve their livelihoods. Esoko connects more than one million farmers to weather forecasts, agronomic advice, market opportunities, insurance coverage, and other essential services via SMS, voice SMS, and call centers. Their Insyt Data Collection and Analytics Platform supports data collection, digitization, and analysis for large scale surveys, field deployment, and agricultural extension facilities. Esoko helps service providers reduce costs, save time, and eliminate data errors while gaining real-time visibility and insights into operations.
https://www.goodmarket.global/esoko

Plantation Villa

Plantation Villa

Dodangoda, Sri Lanka

Plantation Villa is a wellness center and nature retreat that operates as a social enterprise and specializes in ayurveda, yoga, and meditation. Fifty percent of profits are used to fund the Metta Trust, which maintains the local schools and temples and supports community development, wildlife conservation and forest preservation activities in the surrounding villages. Plantation Villa trains, employs, and mentors local community members from underprivileged backgrounds. They provide elder care including free doctor consultations and medicine and organize monthly functions for the village community and guests. Plantation Villa wellness products comes from a village Ayurvedic doctor. Profits support the Metta Trust.
https://www.goodmarket.global/plantationvilla

Socialtours

Socialtours

Kathmandu, Nepal

Socialtours specializes in curated offbeat travel experiences in the Himalayan region. They were founded in 2002 with a commitment to “be sensitive to the environment, be sensitive to the culture, and contribute to the local economy.” They offer experiences in multiple categories. Go Local is for half-day, day, and overnight programs around Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan. Be Active includes experiences like trekking, rafting, mountain biking, and paddling. Be Immersed are programs that go deep into topics like yoga, shamanism, culinary skills, or agriculture. Be Involved includes service learning experiences that place students or professionals in communities. Go Broad covers multi-destination experiences in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, or India. Socialtours was the first tour operator in Asia to receive Travelife certification and has played a leadership role in developing responsible travel in Nepal. They spread the benefits of tourism by working through a network of partners, contributing ten percent of profits to vetted social projects, and contributing an additional ten percent to staff welfare.
https://www.goodmarket.global/socialtours

RivAgro

RivAgro

​Panamure, Sri Lanka

RivAgro is farming 35 acres of land near Embilipitiya in Sri Lanka. The land had been abandoned for six years. Now they are using organic and regenerative agricultural practices including cultivation of live fences, maintenance of naturally forested areas, and compost production to enrich soil health. They are producing a diverse mix of crops with a focus on local fruits, vegetables, and spices. RivAgro is committed to the wellbeing of the farm workers and surrounding community. They are developing a purified drinking water system for the local area.
https://www.goodmarket.global/rivagro

Nibha Herbals

Nibha Herbals

Kathmandu, Nepal

Nibha specializes in traditional Himalayan rope incense that is handmade by women in the Kathmandu valley. Many cultural and ethnic groups in Nepal use incense for daily for rituals and prayers, but traditional herbal varieties are being replaced by mass-produced, imported incense that contains unhealthy synthetic ingredients. Nibha is helping revive the traditional incense making craft. Their rope incense is made from eight Himalayan herbs and rolled in handmade lokta paper. Nibha, which means sunlight in the Newari language, brings together women that have faced daily struggle and provides a new sense of connection and purpose. A portion of the revenue is used to support social outings and wellbeing activities.
https://www.goodmarket.global/nibhaherbals

Kolpa

Kolpa

Lalitpur, Nepal

Kolpa is a social enterprise that works with communities in Nepal to create handcrafted accessories and housewares made with local materials and traditional techniques. Their goal is to develop a self-sustaining economy based on local natural resources, where people have the option to stay in their own community, be respected for their skills, and receive fair pay for their work. Popular products include Himalayan wild nettle (allo) and hemp bags, tablemats, and washcloths, corn husk baskets, lokta paper, vegetable-tanned leather wallets, and wooden crafts made by the Rautes, the last nomads of Nepal. Kolpa also supports organizations that work to reduce malnutrition in rural Nepal and provide free education to children.
https://www.goodmarket.global/kolpa

Agri. Education Pakistan

Agri. Education Pakistan

Lahore, Pakistan

Agri. Education Pakistan (AEP) promotes agricultural inputs and practices that are regenerative and climate adaptive. In Pakistan, the majority of farmers have small plots of land and little money for expensive synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and weedicides. To strengthen the farming community, AEP offers natural fertilizers and pest repellents that are affordable and safe for human health and the environment. They also provide open pollinated seed and consultancy services to help growers minimize external inputs and expenses and cultivate in harmony with nature. AEP organizes open and free awareness seminars, conferences, and family festivals to raise awareness about natural food, organic farming, agritourism, and agripreneurship.
https://www.goodmarket.global/agrieducationpk

COUTH

COUTH

Colombo, Sri Lanka

COUTH is a casual wear brand that focuses on consciousness, simplicity, and versatile styles that can be worn for years. Their clothing is made from handwoven natural fiber textiles, dyed with locally sourced dyes, and trimmed with handcrafted beeralu lace from Galle. COUTH maintains long term relationships with local Sri Lankan artisans and publicly celebrates their work.
https://www.goodmarket.global/couth

Aji’s

Aji’s

Lalitpur, Nepal

Aji’s mission is to support the elderly community in Nepal to live healthy and happy lives by providing a platform to showcase their skills and knowledge. Many elderly people feel lonely, isolated, and overlooked. Aji’s calls on the younger generation to recognize and value elders and create intergenerational exchange opportunities. The platform enables the elderly to share their stories and experiences, participate in #AskAnAji campaigns, and sell handmade products through the Aji’s online store, events, and retail outlets. Popular options include handknit blankets, socks, and accessories, glass bead bracelets, Dhaka fabric baby sets and shawls, lokta paper crafts, macrame, woven mats and stools, natural face scrubs, and more. Aji’s home based makers range in age from 58 to 86 years old.
https://www.goodmarket.global/ajisproducts

Lassana Kolonnawa

Lassana Kolonnawa

Kolonnawa, Sri Lanka

Lassana Kolonnawa Wetland Conservation Youth Network is a voluntary organization of young people working for the protection of the Kolonnawa wetlands and surrounding environment. They coordinate environmental education programs, waste cleanups, and water testing and encourage local residents to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Lassana Kolonnawa produces paper bags from old newspaper, cups from coconut shells, and housewares from recycled waste materials. The initiative developed with support from Emotional Intelligence and Life Skills Training Team and is now independently registered as an environmental organization and voluntary service organization.
https://www.goodmarket.global/lassanakolonnawa

BeeEco

BeeEco

Strickland, TAS, Australia

BeeEco’s mission is to enable and empower communities to transform their everyday living through education and the use of eco-friendly products. They offer simple alternatives to single-use plastic that can be used by cafes, restaurants, and people who are trying to #BeeMoreEco. For every reusable straw sold, they invest in planting trees. BeeEco participates in community events, speaks about environmental issues, blogs about plastic-free travel, and collaborates with cafes, yoga studios, and other like-minded enterprises to strengthen the eco-friendly community. They contribute to Sea Shepherd Tasmania.
https://www.goodmarket.global/beeeco

Ecoconscious Warrior

Ecoconscious Warrior

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Ecoconscious Warrior uses photography, art, and blogging to raise awareness about environmental issues and inspire others to take individual and collective action. The focus is on transitioning to a more environmentally responsible lifestyle, supporting local and sustainable enterprises, and reducing everyday waste. Ecoconscious Warrior distributes reusable straws and bracelets for sea turtle conservation, contributes to coral restoration and rainforest reforestation, and participates in initiatives by Extinction Rebellion and The Pearl Protectors.
https://www.goodmarket.global/ecoconsciouswarrior

Ecoist

Ecoist

Yakkala, Sri Lanka

Ecoist promotes responsible gifting and conscious consumption. They source products from sustainable and ethical local businesses and create beautiful curated gift boxes and corporate gift packs. Popular options include handmade soap and skincare, clothing, accessories, tea, coffee, and natural foods. Ecoist minimizes plastic use and encourages suppliers to switch to environmentally friendly packaging. Three percent of profits are set aside for annual charity donations.
https://www.goodmarket.global/ecoistlk

Eco Earth

Eco Earth

Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka

Eco Earth supplies pure diatomaceous earth for natural pest control. Diatomaceous earth is silica that comes from the fossilized remains of prehistoric algae called diatoms. It is nontoxic to humans and other animals but it damages the exoskeleton of crawling insects like cockroaches, and bedbugs. The powder can be used to control household and garden pests, head lice, and fleas and tick on pets. Their diatomaceous earth is registered with the government as a natural pesticide, and every batch is checked to ensure that it is toxicant free. Eco Earth aims to reduce exposure to toxic insecticides and contribute to a safe and healthy environment.
https://www.goodmarket.global/ecoearth

Surf SK Town

Surf SK Town

Matara, Sri Lanka

Surf SK Town is a locally owned retail outlet on the beach in southern Sri Lanka that specializes in upcycled clothing and accessories. Their shirts, dresses, kimonos, bags, and wallets are made locally from garment factory offcut material and recycled rice bags. Surf SK Town organizes beach cleanups and encourages travelers and other local enterprises to protect the ocean and say no to single-use plastic. They donate to families in the community that do not have work and help with their children’s school fees.
https://www.goodmarket.global/surfsktown

Petal Scents

Petal Scents

​Gampaha, Sri Lanka

Petal Scents specializes in artisanal soap that is handmade from natural plant-based oils and butters. They offer offer mild, soothing, and moisturizing soaps for all types of skin. Ingredients include coconut oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, castor oil, shea butter, turmeric, moringa, carrot, aloe vera, red and white sandalwood, oatmeal, coffee, essential oils, and natural micas and oxides. All Petal Scents products are vegan and palm oil free. They offer workshops for anyone interested in soap making.
https://www.goodmarket.global/petalscents

Palmyra Organics

Palmyra Organics

Piliyandala, Sri Lanka

Palmyra Organics is focused on developing the palmyra palm sugar industry in the north and east of Sri Lanka and making the product accessible to vegan and natural food markets worldwide. They started production in Jaffna, Mullaitivu, and Vavuniya, a region with few employment opportunities. Small-scale farmers tap the palmyra palms, and boil the sap into jaggery, which is ground, dried, and packed. The final product is vegan certified and tested for sale in the EU and UK. Palmyra palm sugar is unrefined, low on the glycemic index, and contains B vitamins and essential minerals. Palmyra Organics reinvests a portion of sales to improve the lives of palmyra toddy tappers and jaggery makers in the region.
https://www.goodmarket.global/palmyraorganics

Dharshana Bio Packaging

Dharshana Bio Packaging

Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka

Dharshana Bio Packaging emerged out of a local packaging company to support the shift to environmentally responsible alternatives. They offer compostable garbage bags, shopping bags, and lunch sheets for both residential and commercial requirements. Products are certified by TÜV Austria to be compostable at home and in industrial compost facilities. Dharshana Bio Packaging is licensed by the Central Environmental Authority in Sri Lanka.
https://www.goodmarket.global/dharshanabiopackaging

Caveman Redux

Caveman Redux

Maharagama, Sri Lanka

Caveman Redux makes bath bombs from all natural ingredients including traditional medicinal plants like venivel, kokum pothu, valmee, sepalika, aloe vera, neem, jasmine, lime, vetiver, Indian madder, holy basil, sandalwood, red sandalwood, wild turmeric, cluster fig bark, tulip bark, arjun bark, and banyan bark. These herbal skin treatments can be used in a bath tub, a basin, or as a substitute for face wash. Most commercial bath bombs are made with synthetic coloring and ingredients. Caveman Redux has reinvented the product and hopes to make the benefits of these Ayurvedic plants more accessible to people around the world.
https://www.goodmarket.global/cavemanredux

Draw for Hope

Draw for Hope

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Draw for Hope is a voluntary initiative to benefit children being treated at the Apeksha Hospital National Cancer Institute. They raise funds by organizing concerts and events, collecting community donations, and selling blank canvases. Supporters are encouraged to do their own paintings on the blank canvases. The finished artwork is collected and donated to brighten the children’s ward of the hospital. Draw for Hope is also working with Apeksha Hospital management to develop art programs and exhibitions for children receiving treatment.
https://www.goodmarket.global/drawforhope

Good Food Naturals

Good Food Naturals

Piliyandala, Sri Lanka

Good Food Naturals specializes in traditional Sri Lankan foods and cooking methods at affordable prices. In additional to offering prepared foods, they freely share recipes to encourage more people to use local, sustainably sourced ingredients. Examples include roti, pittu, and kenda made from kurakkan millet, manioc and local yams like kukul ala and katu ala, diyabath, mung kiribath, and local vegetable curries served with heirloom rice or meneri. They also offer herbal drinks like belimal, ranawara, karapincha, and hibiscus. Good Food Naturals sources ingredients directly from home gardens in their own village and offers above market rates to farmers. Any excess is distributed fresh to people in need. They also donate consistently to Salina Elders’ Home in Suwarapola.
https://www.goodmarket.global/goodfoodnaturals

Dee Lanka Wanderers

Dee Lanka Wanderers

​Galle, Sri Lanka

Dee Lanka Wanderers’ mission is to help redefine the concept of travel in Sri Lanka by introducing elements of sustainability, circular economy, and community empowerment. They work with clients to develop carefully curated, authentic local travel experiences that benefit small-scale entrepreneurs and rural communities. All partners are paid directly. Dee Lanka Wanderers has organized tours focused on environmental sustainability, adventure, food and agriculture, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, and cottage industries and has experience coordinating travel for people with disabilities. They avoid polythene, actively promote compostable and reusable alternatives, raise awareness about responsible travel principles and ethical photography and videography, and partner with other enterprises and networks focused on social and environmental responsibility.
https://www.goodmarket.global/deelankawanderers

Spice Lab by Ceylon

Spice Lab by Ceylon

Kahangama, Sri Lanka

Spice Lab by Ceylon focuses on value added sauces and spreads to promote healthy living and prevent agricultural waste in Sri Lanka. They source materials directly from small-scale rural producers. Popular products include soursop spread, passion fruit jam, and jam, chutney, and barbecue sauce made from nutmeg pericardium. Spice Lab by Ceylon is a member of Green Map Sri Lanka, a volunteer-driven environmental organization.
https://www.goodmarket.global/spicelab

Husma

Husma

​Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka

Husma, which means breath of life, was started to “empower a community of wellness.” They work with a network of farmers to produce heirloom rice, herbal tea, and other foods using organic methods, they encourage the Sri Lankan public to transition to healthy, nutritious food, buy local, eat local, and support local farmers, and they make it easy by offering online sales and delivery. Husma has a revenue sharing mechanism for all stakeholders and donates to elderly care facilities, the National Kidney Foundation, and Maharagama Apeksha Hospital.
https://www.goodmarket.global/husma

Mezmereza Ceylon

Mezmereza Ceylon

Colombo, Sri Lanka

Mezmereza Ceylon produces herbal skin care and hair care products from plant-based ingredients like sandalwood, licorice powder, orange peel powder, wild turmeric, vetiver, neem, and essential oils. They do not use palm oil, artificial colors or synthetic fragrances. Mezmereza’s mission is to make it easier for people to access effective herbal products that are good for health and the environment.
https://www.goodmarket.global/mezmerezaceylon

Keily

Keily

Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Keily is a herbal tea that helps alleviate discomfort before and during menstruation and ovulation. It contains natural Ayurvedic ingredients like coriander, venivel, amla, and rasakinda and was developed based on research at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka. Keily keeps margins as low as possible so that product is affordable for women of all backgrounds. They use recycled unbleached material for packaging and compost all material waste.
https://www.goodmarket.global/keily

Know an initiative that’s good for people and good for the planet? Encourage them to get involved. The online application is available in English, Sinhala, and Tamil at www.goodmarket.global/application.

Want to help make it available in another language? Learn more about the community translation project here.