Our Commitment

TO BE CARBON NEUTRAL (EFFECTIVE 2021):

investing in climate-smart agriculture and forestry projects as a self-imposed carbon tax in an effort to neutralize our business's carbon impact
offsetting each guide and guest's carbon footprint (both on tour and during R&D). Standard business practice would allow us to ignore this impact, but we don’t want to be a standard business. So far (2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024), we have offset estimated carbon emissions from all air miles (international and domestic, calculated from actual ports of departure/entry), road miles, accommodations, meals, and business-related internet use.
partnering with Vermont-based Native (another B Corporation) in 2021 and 2022:
- for 2021, we neutralized 200 tonnes by supporting equivalent emissions reductions of a composting project at Laurelbrook Farm in Connecticut
- for 2022, we neutralized 628 tonnes by supporting equivalent emissions reductions of a solar cookstoves project in Madagascar
partnering with Cool Effect in 2023 and 2024:
- for 2023, given inconsistencies in how to measure and calculate metric tonnes from air travel (in total, staff and guests, we flew 1,940.000 miles this year), we used the most conservative (highest) number and neutralized 729 tonnes (total carbon emissions, inclusive of all long-haul flights) by supporting the equivalent emission reductions of a biogas digester in rural Maharashtra, India
- for 2024, given similar travel patterns and a 15% increase in number of guests, we neutralized 838 tonnes (total emissions, inclusive of all long-haul flights) by supporting a project that obliterates super-warming methane emissions from decomposition of landfill waste in Brazil
- Cool Effect directs 90% of revenue to projects, so we covered the remaining 10% with Terrapass: neutralizing an additional 73 tonnes in 2023 through a landfill gas capture project in New Bedford, Massachusetts; and an additional 84 tonnes in 2024 through other carbon reductions projects

TO MINIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:

recycling plastic, glass and paper both at home and on tour, and minimizing water consumption whenever possible
avoiding food waste by always ordering food in the right satisfying amounts
purchasing additional carbon offsets (beyond the above, in order to assure carbon neutrality) from reputable organizations such as Terrapass, which supports emission reduction projects around the United States, and Treedom, which aims to make the world a better place one tree at a time

TO OFFER THE KIND OF TOURISM WE BELIEVE IN:

promoting sustainability, biodiversity, respect for people, animals, and environment on tour, during local events, through social media, and on our website
featuring pillars of cultural preservation on tour including Slow Food Presidia, agriturismi, and alberghi diffusi (see “Ingredients”)
visiting lesser-known, less-celebrated places that nonetheless hold deep stories of incredible people connected to beautiful landscapes and traditions
patronizing restaurants, farmers, and artisans who produce "good, clean and fair food"
considering all of our stakeholders—not only guests and guides, but also suppliers, local community, and environment. We work hard to leave a positive handprint on the Earth [see below]. We are a proud certified B Corporation.

TO INVEST IN THE PLACES WE GO AND NGOS WE BELIEVE IN:

donating at least 1% of sales revenues to non-profit organizations that move and inspire us (See below)

Who we have been supporting
- 1% for the Planet building, supporting and activating an alliance of businesses financially committed to creating a healthy planet
- Cooperativa Dalla Stessa Parte creating jobs for differently-abled people in agriculture and manufacturing
- Cooking Matters empowering families with skills to stretch their food budgets and cook healthy at home
- Hawthorne Valley Farm producing high quality, biodynamic and organic foods while providing farm-based learning experiences for children and adults
- Hawthorne Valley Association growing social and cultural renewal through the integration of education, agriculture and the arts
- Mass Audubon protecting the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife
- MassBike advocating for community wellness, equity, and inclusion, sustainable growth, vitality, and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
- Rainforest Alliance protecting both forests and the livelihoods of farmers and forest communities
- Shelburne Farms inspiring, educating, and cultivating a sustainable future
- Slow Food linking the pleasure of good food with a commitment to local communities and the environment
- The Nature Conservancy bringing an innovative spirit to preserving life on Earth
- Vermont Fresh Network advancing relationships among farmers, chefs, and eaters to grow markets
- Water.org visioning safe water and the dignity of a toilet for all
- Wholesome Wave fostering linkages between local agriculture and under-served communities, imagining a more vibrant and equitable food system for all
- World Central Kitchen using food to heal and strengthen communities in crises, and beyond
- Cool Effect whose mission is to reduce carbon emissions

Being a B Corp

Food.Stories.Travel. became a Certified B Corporation in 2014. B Corps are a new type of company that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Corp is to business what Fair Trade is to coffee and what USDA Organic is to milk.

Food.Stories.Travel. was certified by the non-profit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Unlike traditional corporations, Certified B Corporations are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions not only on their shareholders, but also on their stakeholders (e.g., workers, suppliers, community, consumers, and the environment).

As of the end of 2021, there are over 4,300 Certified B Corporations around the globe from over 75 countries in over 150 industries all with a unifying goal. We are proud to join them in redefining success in business, so that one day everyone uses business as a force for good.

To learn more about our certification, check out our most recent B Corp impact report.