Black River Produce co-founder honored for good business practices

On Tuesday, September 9th, nearly 150 members and friends of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) came to Shelburne Farms for an event in honor of Mark Curran, Co-founder of Black River Produce.

 Photo credit: Tasha Wallis

http://www.springfielddevelopment.org/blog/?p=418

September 25, 2014 Black River Produce Co-Founder Mark Curran Honored for Good Business Practices Filed under: SRDC — admin @ 3:18 pm On Tuesday, September 9th, nearly 150 members and friends of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) came to Shelburne Farms for an event in honor of Mark Curran, Co-founder of Black River Produce and winner of the 2014 VBSR Terry Ehrich Award for Excellence in Socially Responsible Business. The sold-out dinner and award ceremony was a celebration of local food, relationships, and socially responsible business practices. ““We were thrilled to be able to honor Mark this with award”,” noted VBSR Executive Director Andrea Cohen. Named for the late owner of Hemming’s Motor News and a founding member of VBSR, the award is given to a VBSR member who best exemplifies Terry Ehrich’’s commitment to the environment, workplace, progressive public policy and community. “”Mark, and his business partner Steve Birge, have worked hard to grow Black River Produce in a sustainable way. They have been instrumental in supporting our local food movement and have taken a number of steps to reduce their carbon footprint and increase their energy efficiency while growing quality jobs in our state.” Chuck Ross, Secretary of Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets opened the award ceremony by discussing the importance of Vermont’s local food economy while highlighting how much Black River Produce has done to further that mission. After glowing remarks from VBSR Board Vice Chair, Chris Miller of Ben & Jerry’s, Mark spent a few minutes discussing how his upbringing shaped him into the business person he’d become. Curran explored how far his company has come (opening a new meat processing facility), how they had grown sustainably (reinvesting in the company), and how they practice social responsibility (supporting local farmers, utilizing renewable energy and biodiesel trucks). Curran also took time during his address to thank and highlight the leadership and vision of his business partner Steve Birge. Attendees expressed their appreciation of the moment by honoring both Mark and Steve with a standing ovation. (Photo courtesy of Tasha Wallis)