- Time to Pumpkin Spice up your life. Luckily, socially conscious enterprises are stepping in to offer impactful ways to get your pumpkin on.
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Is it almost autumn? As the world enters its third (!) season in a pandemic, there’s still something comforting about crisper air, warm treats, and everyone’s favorite debate topic: pumpkin spice. Love it or hate it, the “pumpkin spice industrial complex” was worth $600 million in 2018 — and social enterprises are an important part of it, as the original PSL may not have the cleanest environmental record.
Coffee By Design, the award-winning Portland, Maine B corp roastery has a pumpkin pie spice blend that does good while doing (pumpkin) well. Milwaukee’s Franciscan Peacemakers employs women recovering from addiction and human trafficking to make their pumpkin soy candles and other handcrafted goods. Across the Atlantic, Berlin-based B corporation Your Super suggests making energy bomb pumpkin spice oatmeal with its plant-powered mixes. Employee-owned New Belgium Brewing is unleashing their seasonal Voodoo Ranger Atomic Pumpkin Ale just for fall. And remember — those actual pumpkins should be disposed of sustainably.
In Other News: Financial First Responders, Nickel
How can public systems build back better? “Financial first responders” are piquing the interest of big names in tech. Yes, it is possible to exit to community ownership. Electric cars may be carbon-friendly, but they require the mining of nickel (as Elon Musk reminded the world on Twitter). Plastic mutant fish are the next thing to keep you up at night.
Levity Break
Another gripping 2020 vote, this time from a concerned boneless chicken wing consumer.
