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.
Menu
Menu
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.
Welcome to the 42 social enterprises, cooperatives, responsible businesses, civic organizations, and networks that became Good Market approved in February 2023! This month’s roundup includes new community members from Ecuador, Honduras, the United States, Canada, Uganda, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Palestine, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. More than 2,675 enterprises across 94 countries are now part of the Good Market commons. 
Cauauira, Honduras
Pili Luna promotes social inclusion and environmental sustainability through fish leather and innovative design. They work with remote coastal fishing communities in Honduras and Costa Rica to transform fish skin, which is normally discarded as waste, into a high-value material that can be used for sustainable fashion and interior design. Their unique vegetable tannin processing method creates a strong, versatile, water-resistant leather without harmful chemicals. No at-risk species are used. Pili Luna has created their own range of designer sneakers, dress shoes, handbags, and accessories and also sells by the square foot to other designers and manufacturers. They reinvest proceeds to provide training and tools to more coastal communities with high rates of unemployment. By enabling rural women to generate income from a locally available material that was previously considered waste, they increase economic security and reduce migration pressures. Pili Luna is a member of Catalyst 2030.
Just Creations is a values-driven marketplace that advocates for marginalized communities of artisans and farmers through the promotion of fair trade and social justice. They have been providing unique, handmade products, educational outreach, and community engagement programs from their Louisville store since 1990. Just Creations offers housewares, toys, clothing, accessories, coffee, tea, chocolate, and more from fair trade organizations throughout Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Their Llama League events give kids the opportunity to learn about fair trade and connect with cultures around the world, their Fair Trade Ambassador program provides experiential education to selected high school students, and their Community Shopping program raises funds for local nonprofits. Just Creations is a member of Fair Trade Federation, Green America, and the Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA). They are registered as a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.
Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society was founded in Bethlehem in 1981 to alleviate local poverty and unemployment, decrease emigration, and sustain Palestinian craft traditions. They offer religious handicrafts, jewelry, and housewares made from olive wood, mother of pearl, ceramics, recycled glass, wool, and traditional embroidery. Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society sources from 35 member workshops as well as local women’s groups and organizations that support people with disabilities. They maintain a fair trade shop in Bethlehem so pilgrims, tourists, and other customers are able to purchase quality, ethically sourced products directly from the local community. They also sell online and through a network of international fair trade partners. In addition to providing market access, Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society helps members obtain raw materials, build capacity, and improve working conditions. All olive wood crafts are made from pruned branches and are collected without harming the ancient trees. Holy Land Handicraft Cooperative Society is a guaranteed member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO).
Quito, Ecuador
Esperanzart offers handmade Ecuadorian jewelry that supports women coming out of sex trafficking, prostitution, abuse, or other vulnerable situations. Their beaded earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are made from locally available natural materials like tagua nut, açaí berries, and pambil seeds and are available online and through a network of wholesale partners. The Esperanzart workshop provides job training, community, and a steady income and helps women gain confidence and heal through art and positive relationships. The women who participate in Esperanzart also receive holistic support through other branches of End Slavery Ministries Ecuador (ESME). Casa Adalia is a residential safe home for women and their children, Caminos de Libertad is a non-residential program for women gaining independence, and Amadas provides street outreach to people currently in prostitution. They provide living stipends, case management, therapy, educational opportunities, medical care, and other services. Esperanzart has not-for-profit status in Ecuador. All proceeds are reinvested towards their mission.
Southwest Creations provides domestic contract manufacturing and industrial sewing services to alleviate poverty and build economic and educational opportunity across generations. Since 1994, they have provided dignified, living wage employment to women from low-income communities in Albuquerque while improving access to education for employees and their families. Southwest Creations offers cut-and-sew, handwork, kitting, assembly, packaging, and fulfillment services to local and national companies that want to free up floor space for higher return activities or reshore production for greater resilience and sustainability. Employees benefit from onsite childcare, paid School Involvement Leave, and onsite and offsite programs to improve their English, prepare for the GED, build facilitation skills, and participate in leadership opportunities. They have developed Hacia, a family engagement program for K-12 college readiness, and supported the development of the Social Enterprise Center, a public-private partnership in Albuquerque’s South Valley. Southwest Creations is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization and reinvests all surplus towards their mission.
4Africa produces environmentally responsible toys and accessories to empower vulnerable women in Uganda. They offer toy lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, and other animals that are hand-crocheted from cotton yarn and unique jewelry and bags made from hand-rolled paper beads. 4Africa provides skills training and materials and pays weekly. They also provide training in financial management and other life skills. Five percent of profits are used to support personal development and education of artisans’ children.
MZ Made partners with indigenous Zapotec designers and artisans to create fair trade handbags that celebrate the weaving traditions of Oaxaca, Mexico. The artisans develop designs based on their culture, life experiences, and the natural world, hand-dye wool yarn using low-impact dyes and natural dyes from local nuts, flowers, cochineal, and indigo, weave tapete on treadle looms, and sew the tapete into contemporary bags and clutches. Products are shipped in recyclable mailers that are made from recycled material. MZ Made is committed to brand transparency and shares information on costs, expenses, payments, and processes online and with their artisan team. They partner with Eden Reforestation to plant a tree for every order. MZ Made is a certified B Corporation and a member of Fair Trade Federation.
Satu Creative helps Malaysian entrepreneurs create innovative and sustainable businesses that positively impact communities. They offer training, mentoring, stakeholder management, public relations and media management, and consulting services. Satu Creative uses corporate sponsorships and proceeds from paying clients to offer free programs for low-income groups, women, youth, people with disabilities, incarcerated individuals, and other entrepreneurs from marginalized communities. By making cutting-edge strategies and tools accessible to all, they help create employment, drive innovation, support social and environmental impact, and stimulate local value chains. Satu Creative reinvests the majority of profits towards their purpose.
Kathmandu, Nepal
Himalayan Green Trips organizes environmentally responsible trekking, retreats, and travel experiences in Nepal. All itineraries are based on pack-in, pack-out principles. They bring refillable water bottles and reusable supplies, provide locally produced food with no plastic packaging, and use solar power. The team spreads environmental awareness on all trips and actively removes mountain waste. They clean everywhere they go and carry trash out for recycling or reuse. Himalayan Green Trips is a fair trekking agency that supports mountain communities. They partner with local businesses with shared values and ensure all guides and workers receive fair pay. For every trip booked, they plant five trees to fight climate change and save the mountains. Himalayan Green Trips supports Let’s Clean Up Nepal, a local not-for-profit organization.
Exhale Coffee offers specialty-grade organic coffee that is optimized for health, flavor, and sustainability. Through careful sourcing, roasting, and lab testing, they have developed coffees that are naturally rich in antioxidants and vitamins and free from the mycotoxins, molds, and pesticides found in standard coffees. Exhale Coffee is Fairtrade and Soil Association Organic certified, uses home compostable pouches with industrially compostable valves, and ships in mailers made from recycled and recyclable Forest Stewardship Council certified paper. To minimize the carbon footprint of their supply chain, all of their coffee is grown on the same farm and shipped once a year in a shipping container to the United Kingdom. Exhale Coffee donates to World Coffee Research, Counting Coral, and Trash Free Trails. They are a B Corporation and a member of 1% for the Planet.
Poplar simplifies food waste collection and impact monitoring in order to divert food waste from landfills, increase composting, support local food systems, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Their smart bin was designed for kitchen countertops and includes a charcoal filter lid to eliminate odor, a durable silicone handle, an easily washable and recyclable container, and a smart base that connects with the Poplar app to track impact in easy-to-understand metrics. Poplar is compiling information on compost solutions throughout the United States to make it easier for people to choose a local option. Depending on location, this might include curbside pickup, bucket exchanges, dropoffs at community gardens or farmers’ markets, or home composting. Poplar uses their platform to raise awareness about composting, waste management, and climate impacts.
Danfe Works creates livelihood opportunities for marginalized young women in Nepal by producing environmentally responsible clothing, accessories, and housewares. Their own line of products is made from natural fibers and azo-free dyes and is available through their Jhamsikhel outlet and online. They also offer custom manufacturing services to national and international clients, which includes product design, sourcing, sampling, procurement, cut and sew, and quality control. Danfe Works is committed to fair living wages, safe working conditions, and environmentally responsible operations. They partner with SAATH, their sister nonprofit, to provide living wage employment for graduates of SAATH’s skill training and livelihood programs. Profits are reinvested towards their mission.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Spring Activator empowers entrepreneurs, investors, and entrepreneurial ecosystem organizations to build better businesses and change the world through innovation. They provide impact entrepreneurs with tools, training, resources, networks, and support to help them validate their ideas, launch their businesses, grow, raise funds, and expand their impact. Key programs include Discovery Foundation Business Activate for early-stage entrepreneurs, Food Innovation incubators and accelerators for food and beverage businesses, and Impact Startup Visa for entrepreneurs looking to immigrate to Canada. Spring Activator teaches investors the basics of early-stage impact investing and activates impact capital through their Impact Investor Challenge. They also provide advisory services on entrepreneurship ecosystem building to impact incubators, accelerators, foundations, governments, and other entrepreneurship support organizations around the world. Spring Activator is a certified B Corporation and a member of 1% for the Planet. They donate to Canopy to protect the world’s forests and to local nonprofits in Canada.
Maplewood, Missouri, United States
Zee Bee Market prioritizes people and the planet by selling ethically and sustainably sourced products from fair trade organizations around the world. They offer unique, handcrafted housewares, clothing, accessories, jewelry, toys, personal care, chocolate, coffee, tea, and more through their St. Louis retail stores and online. Zee Bee Market uses their platform to raise awareness about fair trade and maintains a mix of products at different prices to ensure fair trade is accessible to all. They partner with local nonprofits to organize fundraiser events called Giving Back Days where 15 percent of online and in-store sales are donated over a four-day period. Zee Bee Market is a member of Fair Trade Federation.
PERF creates natural vegan body care and home care products from organic ingredients to empower and support women in Scotland and Uganda. Their moisturizing body butters, deodorant bars, body bars, shampoo bars, and dishwash bars are plastic-free and handcrafted from plant-based butters, oils, powders, and essential oils. In Scotland, PERF partners with Streetwork to deliver workshops for homeless women, donates surplus stock to local food banks, refugee centers, and women’s shelters, and uses their platform to challenge patriarchal beauty standards. In Uganda, they create livelihood opportunities through ingredient sourcing and partner with Volunteer Action Network to support programs at the Gulu Women’s Resource Center. PERF uses renewable energy and offsets carbon by planting trees with Ecologi. They are part of Firstport, Made for Good, and Social Enterprise Scotland.
FairChange helps businesses and entrepreneurs put their higher purpose into action and grow their positive impact, so we can cocreate a better world. They offer strategy coaching, training and consulting services, online learning, and practical tools in English, Spanish, and Dutch. Their From Purpose to Performance program provides socially committed startups and enterprises with a five-step strategy to couple profits with purpose, and their Business and Social Impact Roadmap program covers the six-step FairChange Social Impact Management Cycle. They also offer free checklists, quick guides, templates, ebooks, and other online resources. FairChange is a member of Catalyst 2030.
Panevėžys, Lithuani
Pasitikiu provides emotional and material support for families experiencing difficulties in Panevėžys, Lithuania. They mobilize clothing and furniture donations, provide Christmas gifts and learning supplies for children in need, and offer movement therapy sessions and community for single mothers and their children. Pasitikiu is developing handmade products and income-generating activities for the families they work with. They are registered as a not-for-profit organization and reinvest all proceeds towards their mission.
The Indian Sparrow creates ethical slow fashion in Pune, India. They focus on versatile clothing that is designed to live in and to last. They use handwoven local fabrics colored with azo-free and natural dyes and sell through like-minded retailers and pop-up events. The Indian Sparrow contributes to animal rescue and fostering.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
ecoHQ specializes in content consulting, communication services, and creative advocacy for sustainability and social impact. They help brands market their products and services ethically for impactful outcomes. Their content development work includes articles, speeches, podcast scripts, brochures, business emails, white papers, website content, social media content, professional profiles, press releases, advertorials, and more. ecoHQ uses their own blog, newsletter, social media, and guest posts to help Indians make informed choices about sustainable practices. They raise awareness, disseminate research-based information, and increase the visibility of local initiatives and sustainable businesses. ecoHQ contributes a portion of their profits to carbon offsetting and not-for-profit organizations.
Lightbear Lane promotes the arts, culture, performance, and music in community spaces, heritage sites, and nature. They repurpose spaces for creative practice, provide cultural heritage facilitation and consulting services, and support placemaking and wellbeing. Lightbear Lane has been involved in the Hidden Exeter walking tour app and the reopening of St Nicholas Priory, Exeter’s oldest building, to the public. They prioritize environmentally responsible materials and practices and offer tiered and subsidized pricing to ensure inclusion. Lightbear Lane is part of a local heritage partnership, a local Fairtrade steering group, a community builder network, and Social Enterprise UK. They are SME Climate Hub committed and contribute to Devon Wildlife Trust. All profits are reinvested towards their purpose.
Mountaintop empowers communities to solve their own problems through locally-rooted moral leadership in order to build a just, loving, and peaceful world for all. They offer a paid, one-year, full-time fellowship for exceptional leaders under the age of 30 who are committed to staying in or returning to their home community in the Global South. Mountaintop partners with local governments, non-governmental organizations, and social ventures to develop high-impact fellowship projects that address a critical community need related to youth empowerment. They match fellows with projects and amplify their potential for impact through Leadership Institute training, mentorship, grants, and a lifelong community of inspiring peers. Mountaintop is registered as a not-for-profit organization and reinvests all surplus towards their purpose.
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Lil Leche produces fresh plant-based milk alternatives in Mesa, Arizona with a focus on building lasting relationships within the community and promoting inclusion and positive social impact. They make small-batch oat milk, almond milk, cashew milk, vegan horchata, chai, chocolate milk, and more in the Local First community kitchen. Lil Leche uses natural and organic ingredients and sources from local, family-owned businesses. They collect back their glass bottles for sterilization and reuse.
Prathyahara by Sala offers yoga, meditation, curated wellness retreats, and consulting services. The founder is a Sri Lankan wellness practitioner and creative enabler living on the island’s southern coast. They are a cofounder of Konectiv Wellness & Research, a platform to bring resident practitioners and spaces together, make wellness more accessible to everyone regardless of ethnicity, gender, or social status, and promote everyday healing by connecting to self, nature, and community. Retreats and workshops give back to the land and the people who make wellness experiences possible.
ARDPURE offers a range of natural, handcrafted, environmentally responsible products to support holistic health and rural livelihoods. They work with women weavers in rural areas of Northeast India to create affordable housewares and accessories from water hyacinth, kauna grass, bamboo, and cane. ARDPURE also provides sustainably sourced green tea, turmeric, coconut oil, and other wellness foods and skincare products.
Durham, North Carolina, United States
The Handmade Mentor is a podcast for anyone who embodies the creative spirit. It features the creative, artisan, and maker (CAM) community and the organizations and associations that support them. The Handmade Mentor shares inspiring stories, educational insights, and practical resources for nonprofits and businesses.
Inspirante promotes permaculture ethics and sustainable agricultural practices. They are developing a permaculture model farm, windrow composting facilities, and a plant health, soil, and microbiology research center. Inspirante aims to be self-sufficient in the production of soil amendments and organic inputs. They share 10 percent of profits with workers and donate school supplies to children from low-income families.
Pack’d Smoke makes premium seasonings from fresh, regional produce to enhance flavor and nutrition, support the local food system, and minimize environmental impact. They source onions, garlic, and peppers from organic farms and from farmers with a commitment to responsible practices. These ingredients are infused with smoke, dried, ground, and made into seasoning blends with no salt, sugar, or fillers. Products are available in reusable glass jars and refill bags. Pack’d Smoke is a veteran-owned family business.
Design5 Studio specializes in upcycled functional art that supports environmental sustainability. They create unique handpainted tableware, furniture, and wall art using natural pigments and scrap wood that would have otherwise been thrown away or burnt. Design5 Studio works with Grow-Trees to plant a tree for every order. Patrons receive an e-certificate in their name with a unique tracking number to follow the tree’s growth.
Gomarankadawala, Sri Lanka
Diriya Organic is a farmers’ group in eastern Sri Lanka that promotes organic cultivation for healthy future generations. They grow seasonal vegetables, legumes, ginger, turmeric, aloe vera, banana, papaya, lime, orange, guava, soursop, woodapple, mango, coconut, jackfruit, and moringa. Members save seeds and produce their own compost, biochar, and organic inputs. Diriya Organic is verified under a local organic participatory guarantee system (PGS).
Samagi Organic is a farmers’ group in eastern Sri Lanka that aims to create a healthy community through organic agriculture. They grow seasonal vegetables, legumes, sorghum, turmeric, ginger, aloe, amla, pineapple, papaya, banana, pomegranate, ambarella, woodapple, soursop, avocado, guava, oranges, mango, areca, coconut, cashew, jackfruit, and more. Members save seeds and produce compost, liquid fertilizers, and natural pest repellents. They practice mixed cropping, cover crops, and crop rotation. Samagi Organic is verified under a local organic participatory guarantee system (PGS).
Mustard Cottage creates handmade housewares and accessories to support economic development, education, and positive change in their community. They work with self-help groups of marginalized women in Delhi on crocheting, knitting, and macrame techniques to produce toys, blankets, storage containers, coasters, bookmarks, ornaments, and more. Mustard Cottage uses natural fibers and aims to minimize environmental impact. They pay fair wages to artisans and focus on providing supplementary income that can be used for education, health, and other expenses.
Haritha Organic is a farmers’ group in eastern Sri Lanka that cultivates organically for a healthier lifestyle. They grow rice, vegetables, legumes, ginger, turmeric, aloe vera, banana, passionfruit, soursop, orange, mango, coconut, moringa, and more. Members practice companion planting and crop rotation and produce compost, natural liquid fertilizers, and pest repellents from locally available materials. Haritha Organic is verified under a local organic participatory guarantee system (PGS).
Beruwala, Sri Lanka
BlueOceanSL aims to reduce ocean plastic by offering affordable alternatives to plastic products in Sri Lanka. They supply bamboo toothbrushes, toothbrush cases, hairbrushes, and pen drives throughout the country. BlueOceanSL focuses on bamboo because it is fast-growing, renewable, fully compostable, and naturally antimicrobial. They use their platform to raise awareness about microplastics and ocean pollution.
Saubhagya Organic is a farmers’ group in eastern Sri Lanka that aims to produce healthy food for people and the planet. They grow seasonal vegetables, legumes, medicinal plants, ginger, turmeric, aloe, passion fruit, banana, lime, oranges, ambarella, avocado, guava, pomegranate, mango, cashew, areca, coconut, and more. Members practice mixed cropping, cover crops, and crop rotation. They save seeds, build soil using sunn hemp, compost, and liquid fertilizers, and use natural pest repellents. Saubhagya Organic is verified under a local organic participatory guarantee system (PGS).
Nothing Goes Away creates upcycled bags to protect the environment and provide flexible employment for women from low-income families. The bags are hand-crocheted from cotton T-shirt yarn which is made using fabric waste from local garment factories. They provide an affordable, environmentally responsible alternative to single-use plastic bags and imported products. Nothing Goes Away participates in village-level Praja Sathkara programs, provides school supplies for children in need, and donates a portion of their profits to tree planting and beach clean-up initiatives.
Abimaan Organic is a farm in northeastern Sri Lanka committed to organic cultivation for a healthy community. They grow organic paddy, legumes, vegetables, banana, papaya, pomegranate, lemon, mango, cashew, moringa, and more. Abimaan Organic saves seeds and produces and sells compost and organic inputs made from locally available materials. They are verified under a local organic participatory guarantee system (PGS).
Authentic offers affordable traditional Sri Lankan food made from healthy, local ingredients to support the local economy and minimize environmental impact. They source fruits, vegetables, kithul, cashew, and other ingredients from home gardens in Kalutara, Matara, and Badulla. Authentic uses clay pots, cane trays, and coconut shell utensils and serves food wrapped in lotus leaves, banana leaves, and recycled paper. Malay and Sinhala pickles are sold in reusable glass jars. Authentic provides discounts to customers that return their glass jars or bring their own containers and shopping bags.
Sampur, Sri Lanka
Vasantham Organic Farm aims to provide healthy food for a healthy nation. They grow dry zone vegetables, legumes, cassava, sorghum, maize, banana, passionfruit, mango, and more in eastern Sri Lanka. Vasantham Organic Farm produces compost and liquid fertilizers, saves seeds, maintains pest repellent plants, and practices crop rotation, mulching, and cover cropping. They are verified under a local organic participatory guarantee system (PGS).
Sampur, Sri Lanka
Sampur, Sri Lanka
Iyarkai Elil Organic Farm uses natural resources to produce healthy food for a healthy nation. Their farm in Trincomalee district grows dry zone vegetables, banana, pineapple, pomegranate, king coconut, and more. They save seeds, maintain a nursery, make compost and liquid fertilizers, and try to use all available space. Iyarkai Elil Organic Farm is verified under a local organic participatory guarantee system (PGS).
Sampur, Sri Lanka
Sampoor Vetri Vinayagar Organic Farmers is a producer group in eastern Sri Lanka that aims to make healthy organic food affordable and accessible. They keep production costs low by saving seeds and using local materials to produce compost and organic inputs. Members grow dry zone vegetables, leafy greens, legumes, rice, moringa, lime, papaya, banana, pomegranate, mango, coconut, and more. Sampoor Vetri Vinayagar Organic Farmers is verified under a local organic participatory guarantee system (PGS).
Know an initiative that’s good for people and good for the planet? The application is currently available in English, Sinhala, Tamil, Urdu, Spanish, and Japanese and started in Nepali: www.goodmarket.global/apply. Want to help make it available in another language? Learn more about the community translation project here.