RED TOMATO IS MASSACHUSETTS "CHANGEMAKER" WINNER
Canton-MA – July 19, 2010 RED TOMATO, the sustainable agricultural leader based in Canton, MA, has been selected as the Bay State’s winner of the “Changemakers Competition.” Sponsored by Green Mountain Coffee and Ashoka, a global social action network, the competition serves as a catalyst for mobilizing citizens to build stronger communities.
RED TOMATO won for its contributions to building a regional farm network. The organization coordinates the marketing, logistics and sales used to create the market opportunities needed in a regional network. It offers supermarkets one-stop access to season-long, farm-identified local food and increases consumer access to local produce. By ensuring that small and mid-size farmers can compete in the wholesale market, it solidifies farm sustainability.
“RED TOMATO truly appreciates the vote of confidence it has been given by the Changemakers community,” said Michael Rozyne, RED TOMATO founder and co-director. “We look forward to the competition’s ongoing success. It brings to light so many inspirational ideas for how we can all work to build stronger communities.”
At festivities held at the Boston Center for the Arts Cyclorama, Red Tomato was presented with $5,000 to support its innovations. A panel of five Northeastern business and academic community members judged the competition. Green Mountain Coffee selected seven additional state winners.
About Red Tomato
Red Tomato's mission is to connect farmers and consumers through marketing, trade, and education. Red Tomato believes that a locally-based, ecological, fair trade, family farm food system is the way to a better tomato. For information, visit www.redtomato.org where you can see Changing the Game: The Red Tomato story.
About Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc.
As a leader in the specialty coffee industry, Green Mountain is recognized for its award-winning coffees, innovative brewing technology, and socially responsible business practices. It supports local and global communities by offsetting 100% of its direct greenhouse gas emissions, investing in Fair Trade Certified™ coffee, and donating at least five percent of its pre-tax profits to social and environmental projects. www.gmcr.com
About Ashoka’s Changemakers
Ashoka’s Changemakers is a community of action that connects social entrepreneurs around the globe to share ideas, inspire and mentor each other. Through its online collaborative competitions and open-source process, it is one of the world’s most robust spaces for launching, discussing, and funding ideas to solve pressing social problems. It builds on Ashoka’s three decade history and belief that we all have the ability to be a Changemaker. www.Changemakers.com
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Contact: Laura Edwards-Orr
781-575-8911(O), 617-513-2691 (C)
ledwardsorr@redtomato.org
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