B Corporations – the B stands for Benefit – represent a new generation                        of companies that are in business to solve social and environmental problems. The certification is                        awarded by the B Lab organization.
To further explain, Jon Zeltsman, President, Down to Earth Markets, shared this: “When my wife, Miriam Haas, started our first farmers market in Ossining in 1991, her goal was                        to rediscover community. The 1980s had ushered in the era of big, impersonal business. Since                        then, it’s become clear that the focus of big business has left the community. Our work of strengthening community – and the                        local economy – has only grown more vital.”

He continued, “We’re proud to be a certified B Corporation because it unites us with the                        movement to realign business values to the values of community and environmental care.”

During the rigorous assessment process, our company was evaluated in four                        categories: Governance, Workers, Community, and Environment. At the core of our                        successful bid for certification was our primary purpose of “creating economic opportunity for                        local farmers, processors, and consumers to trade with one another for mutual benefit.”

“When we first started, the rally cry was to save the family farm. And that’s still the rally cry.                        But, we realized that if farmers could earn their livelihood through strong sales at the market,                        they would save the family farm. We had to become business-minded,” Zeltsman said.

He added, “Sustainable business is an enduring way to secure sustainable food for everyone. If                        local food is not economically viable, then we won’t have local food. Our business structure keeps                        us innovating to make it viable. We very happy to be in business as a certified B Corp.”
Our final step of the B Corp certification process was to sign The Declaration of Interdependence. We love the vision stated in this document.
Thank you for supporting local farmers and food makers at Down to Earth Farmers Markets. We look forward to seeing you this weekend.