It’s here! Our 2022 handbook of holiday gift advice offers environmentally and socially friendly options for those on your list who are big into supporting local companies with a conscience. With this nifty list of 63+ North Carolina B Corp gift choices, you can feel extra good about your purchases, while supporting local businesses that are making a positive impact on people, the planet, and your community.
Larry’s is deeply dedicated to protecting the environment and using our resources more responsibly. Whether from their natural lighting, biodiesel van, or supporting Fair Trade farmers, Larry’s is looking out for the world we live in. Larry’s Coffee prides itself on using shade grown, organic coffee, and on pulling out all of the wonderful flavors from those beautiful brown beans.
Since their founding in 1995, Counter Culture has been a relentless pursuit of coffee perfection through a dedication to real environmental, social, and fiscal sustainability and a commitment to creating cutting-edge coffee people. Their Seeds program gives financial grants to producers and producer organizations to implement social and environmental sustainability projects.
Gaia founds their work on the principle “do no harm to people, plants, or the planet” and is on a mission to spread the equation “Purity + Integrity = Potency.” They assure all of their herbs are as natural and pure as possible, while also committing to creating quality jobs and supporting social and environmental impact work.
Green Heffa Farms is a 14.84-acre organic, regenerative farm that works to expand agricultural access for underserved communities and under-represented farmers. Green Heffa carries its mission through its 4Es: Economic Empowerment, Equity, and Education. One of a handful of Certified B Corp farms, they are the first with a Black Woman CEO!
Vital Plan’s mission is to help people overcome chronic health challenges through the use of physician-formulated natural supplements, guided online wellness courses, and personalized coaching and support. Since 2008, Vital Plan has continued to educate, inspire, and empower customers to leverage natural remedies to find their personal path to wellness. All Vital Plan products are manufactured in the USA.
From lip balm to awesome outdoor apparel, Murphy’s is your one stop shop when finding a gift for the person who is always answering the call of the mountains. Murphy’s uses all natural products and strives to promote health and wellness. They also donate 2% of their gross revenue to cause based organizations in an effort to change the world both with their products and by giving back as a company.
Through Rainwater Solutions’ affordable and safe process, harvesting water has never been easier. Their products allow homeowners to conserve water by using reclaimed rainwater. Rainwater Solutions’ goal of protecting the earth has led to communities all over the United states to develop ways to increase sustainability and protect the environment. Their products are the perfect purchase for the green-thumb conservationists on your list!
Leaf & Limb’s vision is to increase the health and population of trees to overcome pressing environmental issues and restore the balance of life on Earth. As a B Corp, they care for trees because they love our planet and their commitment doesn’t stop with tree care services. Meet Project Pando, Leaf & Limb’s volunteer-driven tree farm with a mission to supply free trees!
French Broad Chocolates, Asheville’s local chocolate tasting room and factory, is a great treat for every season. Owners Dan and Jael Rattigan have embraced the life of chocolate ambassadors, creating positive and delicious environments along the way. As a certified green restaurant, French Broad Chocolates serves up a double portion of sustainability: they sustain the Earth and the sweet tooth on your list’s appetite for treats this holiday season.
Founded in 2001, Vert & Vogue has become a community favorite in Durham. Creators Nadira and Ryan Hurley are dedicated to helping downtown Durham grow as a shopping and social destination. They offer a wide array of products from home goods to stylish clothes, allowing Vert & Vogue to truly encompass the spirit of the Bull City. Through their work with nonprofits like SEEDS and Urban Ministries of Durham, and their commitment to sustainability shown in their location and use of natural fibers, Vert and Vogue earned the B Corp certification in December, 2017.
According to the National Intimate Partner Sexual Violence Survey, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men in the U.S. have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Thread Talk was founded on a mission to provide comfort by selling high-quality blankets and cozy products that fund shelters for other survivors. 10% of all proceeds are donated to domesticshelters.org which has helped to fund critical wish-list items for 2600+ domestic violence shelters nation-wide.
Established 2009, East Fork crafts durable, North Carolina made ceramics with a vision for social & environmental good baked in. From accessibility, to equity, and working toward more sustainable practices, East Fork’s commitment to using business as a force for good is evident at every turn. Recent initiatives include fundraising with justice-minded organizations in Western North Carolina, hosting community events that amplify the voices of POC, especially queer and gender nonconforming POC, and developing an initiative to reinvest their self-imposed carbon tax into land trusts that secure property for Black farmers while funding regenerative implementation on Black-owned farms.
A self-publishing company out of Morrisville, Lulu press is one of the most successful independent publishers in North Carolina. In 16 years of business, Lulu has helped creators in over 220 countries have their stories heard. The foundation of Lulu has always centered around finding an easier way to publish and consume content, so what better way to kick off the holiday season than by getting the creative someone on your gift list’s novel published?
Starting out as a small screen printing company in 1977, TS Designs quickly grew into an automated shirt printing organization. They soon came up with a new beneficial business model focused around People, the Planet, and Profits. TS Designs follows a dirt to shirt supply chain approach for their cotton tees by partnering with local NC cotton farmers. In 2020, their B2C brand, Solid State, launched a 10,000 pounds of cotton project where consumers could invest in a share of NC grown cotton!
A craft distillery out of Pittsboro, Fair Game Beverage Co. has just what you need to get in the holiday spirit or to get some holiday spirits in you. Focused on staying true to their Southern roots, Fair Game carefully ages their spirits in alembic copper, bringing you the true flavor of the south. They also use fruit from across the South- to create their wines, infusing them with brandy to develop a truly unique and local flavor. Spread cheer this season by creating a holiday spirit kit filled with recipes and the ingredients to “eat, drink, & be merry”. Fair Game beverages can be found at NC ABC stores or at their tasting room in the Chatham Beverage District.
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Makers of well-known classics, like Fat Tire Amber Ale, Voodoo Ranger IPA, and more, New Belgium has been brewing beer as a Certified B Corp since 2013. At the core of using business as a force for good, New Belgium believes that business is a human endeavor and that those humans should be central to everything they do. By focusing on “Human-Powered Business” New Belgium is committed to supporting healthy profit balanced with prioritized benefits for people and the planet. In doing so, Fat Tire earned the title of the first certified carbon-neutral beer in the U.S, and New Belgium has plans for a fully carbon-neutral beer portfolio by 2030!
Bella Tunno was launched in 2005 with the purpose of changing lives. A brand with heart – fun and functional baby products that have a greater purpose. The company gives one meal to one child for every product sold. Bella Tunno has given over 4.5 MILLION MEALS to date.
Firsthand Foods is a woman-owned food hub, that sources livestock from farmers who raise their animals humanely, outdoors on pasture without growth-promoting antibiotics or added hormones. They work closely with their supply chain to make sure farmers are taking care of the land, water, and air in their communities. If you’re local to the Durham area, you can purchase Firsthand Foods meats at these locations, and find them served at these restaurants!
Seal the Seasons offers “The Farmers Market in your Freezer,” by creating a platform for smaller farms to freeze their produce at the peak of their freshness. Seal the Seasons has also been working with the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services to supply locally sourced frozen produce to smaller retailers throughout The Great North State. They also give back by working with non-profits and other partners that support small farms and healthier food options. Heading to a holiday party? Make and take one of these recipes using Seal the Seasons’ North Carolina Grown products found in the frozen section at a local retailer near you!
Formerly known as HQ Raleigh, in October 2012, Raleigh Founded was born out of the idea that problem solvers and innovators should work under one roof to help spread change. The impact of this has been tremendous! Raleigh Founded has grown to one of the top options for co-working space in the Triangle, creating a hub for companies, communities, and start-up organizations across the region to create and collaborate. An HQ membership is a great gift for the entrepreneurs, telecommuters, and consultants on your list.
360 Impact is led by Maria Kingery, our very own co-founder, and chief impact officer! After implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System at Southern Energy Management, Maria untapped a newfound passion in working with leadership teams and unleashing their hidden potential. From that, 360 Impact was created to help entrepreneurial leaders build the right plan and team to achieve their vision and make a lasting impact in the world.
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But wait… What does this have to do with a solar power and energy efficiency company?
As a B-Corporation, we strive to lead the change we want to see in the world while treating people, the environment, and all other interactions with respect. We believe that business should be conducted with the goal of benefiting all parties, with the knowledge that we are responsible for future generations.
As you begin making your list this holiday season, it’s a great time to start the routine of casting your “Vote Every Day” by choosing to spend your money with companies you believe in. Learn more about Vote Everyday here!
Are you a purpose driven business striving to lead social and environmental change? Do you believe businesses ought to benefit all stakeholders, not just shareholders? If so, the B Corp community is here for you! We’d love to connect and answer any questions you have about becoming a B Corp or the B Corp movement.
Reach out to our project teams to share your goals and learn more!
North Carolina’s solar power and building performance expert. Founded in 2001, we’ve worked for 20+ years to improve the way people make and use energy.
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