With a vision to reduce waste generated by plastic, paper and Styrofoam dining products, Vangie and Lyndon Pullins from Sebastopol founded Bamblu to distribute their Arthware products: plates and platters made from tapioca starch, bamboo and palm leaf sheaths. Pullins then created a logo fitting the concept of their sustainable plates and bowls: a panda munching on a blue-hued plate.
Now expanding into cutlery in addition to tableware, Bamblu offers a sustainable option for catering events, both large and small, without the concern of filling landfills with plastic and other petroleum-based products (like traditional picnic cups and plates). Able to hold many times their weight in food, there’s no concern of collapsing, splintering or otherwise destroyed tableware or cutlery during intended use. With products shelved in a growing amount of convenient stores, including a pick-up and order location in the Vullin’s former stained glass store in Sebastopol, Bamblu offers a truly renewable way to keep picnics and catering events clean and green.
www.bambluware.com
A Green Thumbs-up for SGN
Founded in 2003, the School Garden Network of Sonoma County (SGN) has provided more than $130,000 in grants and financial support to nearly 30 schools in Sonoma County. A partnership with the California Alliance of Family Farmers (CAFF) in the form of a $211,902 grant for SGN has provided the resources for a two-year collaborative program to introduce farm-to-school practices in its areas of influence.
SGN will provide financial and technical assistance on top of nutrition education classes to its supported schools. Food access and nutrition workshops for participating families will be held throughout the year. SGN will focus on schools with a high percentage of students on free and reduced meals in order to provide proper nutrition and nutrition education to those who need it most.
A Harvest of the Month program established by CAFF will showcase locally grown, fresh fruits and vegetables to students, supplementing their meals. SGN will coordinate farm field trips for schools to visit the farms, particularly ones that supply produce for Harvest of the Month.
www.schoolgardens.org
According to Statista, one of the world’s largest statistics portals, California is trailblazing as the leader of solar-powered homes in the nation. The Golden State may soon be known as The Sunshine State at this rate.
www.statista.com
