Why is sustainability important to you? It is very important because I have 2 your children and I want the world to be a better place for them!
 
How do you define Green? Green for me is doing what is good for Mother Earth and what is good from Mother Earth.
 
Were you involved in the Celebration last year? Yes, I was, and it was fantastic!
 
What was your impression of the event? The event encompassed how you can enjoy food, have some fun while being green and organic.  I really enjoyed it--that is why DKD is back again this year.
 
If this is your first year why did you decided to become involved? n/a
 
How long has your business been in existence? DKD  (Doorknockdinner.com) has been in business since 2005.
 
Can you sum up your business in one sentence? DKD  offers homemade, healthy and wholesome food that is delivered fresh to your door.
 
What is your favorite thing about living on the South Shore? (since this is a South Shore celebration)  I would have to say my favorite thing about the South Shore is the ocean and the seafood!
 
Do you have one green tip that you'd like to share?  Composting organic waste at home is a win-win-win situation!  You win by turning your kitchen scraps into fertilizer for your garden. Your wallet wins because you don't have to pay for fertilizer.  But most importantly, the planet wins since your waste does not end up in a landfill.
 
What is you favorite locally grown or produced food?   South Shore Organics! -Duxbury
 Restaurant?   Fishtail Kitchen in Weymouth 
Ice Cream destination? Gerard Farms in Marshfield  
Clam Shack?  Summer Shack in Hingham
 
Anything else you'd like our guests to know? We now sell some of our food wholesale at Shields General Store in Norwell and I have opened 3 cafes in Braintree in the last year.  Life is good!

Q&A with Joy Higgins of Family Secrets Bakery, located in Plymouth, MA.
 
"We believe that food can taste good without using preservatives so all of our items are made fresh to order using only the simplest of ingredients such as butter,  eggs, and milk.  We believe that using natural and as many organic
ingredients in our products that the items made for you will not only be good for you but also good for the environment.  We STRONGLY believe in supporting local agriculture and businesses by purchasing as many of our
ingredients and packaging even if the overhead is more costly.  We believe that great customer service is the best form of advertisement so we strive to please our customers and we encourage feedback as we continue to grow and
develop.  We know that life is too short so enjoying a delicious sweet to celebrate special occasions or to take to a party or a gathering or to just have because you want it, is a guarantee way to bring a smile to one's face.  Our mission is to provide you with a tasty homemade, handmade product that includes all of our beliefs."               
 
Why is sustainability important to you?  The earth isn't getting any bigger so we need to start living in such a way that reduces the stress we have placed on our earth and its resources.

How do you define Green? We define green as living in such a way that preserves the earth.

Were you involved in the Celebration last year? No

If  this is your first year why did you decided to become involved?  It's a great way to network, meet like-minded people and enjoy some of the best things the South Shore has to offer.

How long has your business been in existence?  Since July 2008.

Can you sum up your business in one sentence?  Delicious baked goods from family recipes using locally sourced and organic ingredients.

What is your favorite thing about living on the South Shore?  The quaint towns, harbors, and friendly atmosphere.

What is you favorite locally grown or produced food? Restaurant? Ice Cream destination? Clam Shack?
 Anything from Plato's Harvest; Ziggy's Ice Cream, Blue Crab in Plymouth, 

by Katherine Rossmore

 As an avid viewer of programs like the Food Network’s “Chopped,”  I can’t wait to see what our region’s own celebrity chefs come up with at the South Shore Celebration’s Seafood Throwdown, which runs from 11:30am to 1 pm on   Saturday, October 6th, during the festival.  South Shore Celebration!

 The chefs are Brian Houlihan of the fabulous Bia Bistro in Cohasset, (formerly of the Tinker’s Son in Norwell) and Michael Tondorf of the wildly popular Riva restaurant in Scituate. Both men orchestrate the food at very successful and wonderful local restaurants, and I’m sure each is well-versed in seafood preparation, given their respective seaside-town locations. Houlihan and Tondorf will show up with their own cooking utensils and tools, along with three of their favorite ingredients.  
 
Once the Throwdown begins, each chef will be provided with a secret seafood (caught by local fishermen), plus fresh local produce from South Shore Organics in Duxbury. They will be timed: one hour to prepare, cook and plate dishes for our three judges. 

The judges, all luminaries of the local landscape, are:  Representative Jim Cantwell, Marshfield and Scituate’s state congressman;  Martha Stone, the innovative chef extraordinaire, former owner of Martha’s Galley and Stone Soup (both in Plymouth), and a founder of the non-profit Plymouth Eats!; and Bridget Alexander, Executive Director of the Southeastern  Mass. Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP). 

The event will be fun and inspiring. What a compelling challenge: to produce a meal using all local ingredients in one hour, and to face judges who represent so many aspects of our local food economy! 

Q&A with Paulette Harwood Lamparelli of Authentic Birthing/Sacred Space RYS 
 
Why is sustainability important to you?  It is vital that we learn to only use what we truly need, to reuse whenever
possible and to renew, pass along, share and make better any situation! 
 
How do you define Green? Green is a commitment to our present moment and our future prosperity. It is a lifestyle choice that encompasses all aspects of our health and soul.   

If this is your first year why did you decided to become involved?  I attended last years celebration. I was deeply moved by witnessing such a dynamic group of like minded people who care deeply about our communities and enriching our quality of life. I decided to become a sponsor, vendor, participant and guest speaker as I felt a need to share my love for helping women birth their babies as close to their hearts desire. Many do not know that birth need not be a fearful, matter of fact, powerless event.  I also love to teach yoga and Pilates. I have met so many students who humble me with compliments regarding my ability to help people with body awareness, posture, breath and vitality. It can change your life for the better when living consciously is instinctual.
 
How long has your business been in existence? I have had a Registered Yoga School... Sacred Space Yoga School since last May! I never meant to have my own school until so many students encouraged me to follow my path and find my voice. Teaching has been a passion of mine since I began teaching Ballet and Performing Arts at 18 while in College. 30 years ago I learned that I could only teach what I knew... Hence my desire to be a lifelong learner. Adding Prenatal, Birth Coaching and Postpartum processing to my skills have deepened my Being beyond words. Summing up my life's work in one sentence .... When the student is ready... The Teacher will come. 

What is your  favorite thing about living on the South Shore? My favorite thing about living on the South Shore... The energy!! The people, food, beaches, seashore, education, history, architecture, beauty and culture have a
distinct dynamic energy! The pulse has casual elegance that feeds my soul.
 
What is you favorite locally grown or produced food?  I could not live without South Shore Organics! It is a gem on the South Shore...Pam is spectacular. The delivery, quality, price, service and variety is unparalleled.
 
The  shopping in Scituate Harbor is fabulous!

 Q&A with Chris Bertarelli of Simpson Spring Company
 
Simpson Spring is a family owned and operated company that provides pure bottled spring water and all-natural hand-mixed soda in a variety of classic flavors. Our family prides ourselves on Simpson Spring's storied history, which began in South Easton, Massachusetts more than 135 years ago with the discovery of a natural, bubbling spring.  Since that time, the company has been an adventure in the American dream, flourishing with advances in technology, remaining independent amidst industry consolidation. There are less than 100 independent bottlers left in The United States. We endeavor to keep the spirit of America alive. We strive to preserve and protect Simpson Spring – a vital part of our local history, the foundation of our business and the source of the high quality of our products.
 
Why is sustainability important to you? Being a sustainable business means choosing practices that will not harm our land, our air or our families. Being sustainable means supporting and giving back to the people and businesses in our communities. Being sustainable means making decisions that will keep you thriving today and 100 years from today. Sustainability is important because it makes companies like ours stand out from our big box competitors‘.  Supporting local business is one of the most sustainable acts someone in our community can complete. You live in our community, you work in our community. You raise your kids in our community. Supporting your local business keeps our community growing and thriving.’  We are true believers in maintaining the integrity of our resource--our spring which has been flowing for at least 500 years. We have placed all the adjoining land in forestry management and work closely with a registered forestry person to maintain the 49 acres of woodland that protects the watershed for the spring.

How do you define Green? Green for us is returning your glass soda bottles so we may refill and re-use. Green is visiting our self service spring water centers and refilling your water bottles.

Were you involved in the Celebration last year? No

If this is your first year why did you decided to become involved? The South Shore is where we live and work.  It is very important to be part of the festival that celebrates both!

How long has your business been in existence? We are the oldest bottling plant in the USA. We have been in
business 134 years!

Can you sum up your business in one sentence? Spring water and hand-mixed soda made with spring water in
old fashioned flavors

What is your favorite thing about living on the South Shore? (since this is a South Shore celebration)
Since we are a water company, I will say the beaches!

Do you have one green tip that you'd like to share? Take your water bottle and refill it at our water
centers.

What is you favorite locally grown or produced food? Everything in season and found fresh at the Farmer's
Markets!

Anything else you'd like our guests to know? We are one of the oldest soda producers and have always tried to use reusable glass even when the state was forcing everyone to go to plastic. We also have always had a $.10 deposit, trying to force the consumer to recycle and re-use--even before the  term was a common one.

Brown Boar Farm is a family-owned and operated business run by Marshfield resident Peter Burrows.  They are completely committed to producing wholesome, naturally raised food in an environmentally friendly way and their heritage breed pork is available at the Marshfield and Plymouth Farmer's markets, and by preorder at Holly Hill Farm in Cohasset.  
 
  Q&A with Peter Burrows of Brown Boar Farm:

Why is sustainability important to you? We owe it to future generations to properly manage our natural resources. 

How do you define Green?  We see green as a health-related aspiration – not to use or eat harmful substances
that have long-term health consequences for living things.  

Were you involved in the Celebration last year? Yes, we participated in the farmers market, and we gave two presentations about Brown Boar Farm. 

What was your impression of the event? It  was great. We did not see anyone who was not smiling that day. 
 
How long has your business been in existence? We purchased the property in Vermont in 2002, and spent the first five years putting up buildings and opening trails. We started seriously operating the farm in 2007. 

Can you sum up your business in one sentence? Sometimes greater success in the future can be found by following the ways of the past. 
 
What is your favorite thing about living on the South Shore? (since this is a South Shore celebration)
 Living among the evidence of the early settlers to a new world. 
 
Do you have one green tip that you'd like to share? Eat meats raised in pasture without any hormones and non-therapeutic antibiotics. Some scientists are rightly concerned that unnecessary antibiotics used by crowded factory farms are leading to treatment-resistant superbugs. 
 
What is your favorite locally grown or produced food?  What would Thanksgiving be without locally grown
cranberries?

 Restaurant? Ice Cream destination? Clam Shack? Restaurant:  Oro in Scituate Harbor has been a customer of Brown Boar Farm, so naturally we have to go there frequently!  Jakes in Hull or Lobster Hut in Plymouth for fried seafood!

 Anything else you'd like our guests to know? One advantage of raising pigs is Vermont is access to plentiful whey from local organic cheese-makers. The famous Italian “Parma” hams are fed whey, and it is a wonderful diet supplement that pigs really enjoy. 


 
 

Why is sustainability important to you? With volatile fuel costs and the release of harmful greenhouse gasses from fossil fuels, sustainability has become very important to us all. It is because of this that we must take control of what we can, our homes. At Next Step Living, we are a socially-conscious, environmentally focused, results-driven organization dedicated to helping our customers lower their energy bills, increase the comfort of their homes, and reduce their carbon footprint.

How do you define Green? Green is a mindset of taking action today in order to help our planet and ensure a
healthy tomorrow.

If this is your first year why did you decided to become involved? We decided to become involved in order to meet with likeminded people and help homeowners decrease their carbon footprint by saving them money through
a No Cost state program called Mass Save. 

How  long has your business been in existence? We have existed since 2008 and growing fast!!

Can you sum up your business in one sentence? Next Step Living is a residential energy efficiency company, providing home energy diagnostics and improvements to the greater New England area.  
 
What is your favorite thing about living on the South Shore? The best thing about living on the South Shore is that we might have some wicked winters but we also have some beautiful beaches.

 Do you have one green tip that you'd like to share? Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) use 75% less energy when compared to traditional incandescent bulbs and last 6 times longer! Sign up with Next Step Living for your home energy assessment if you would like us to replace all of your light bulbs with CFLs for no cost!!

 What is your favorite locally grown or produced  food? The raspberries found at the Marshfield Farmers Market  are amazing.

 Anything else you'd like our guests to know? If you have ever wondered about the science behind your home, find out for no-cost. Take advantage of the Mass Save program with Next Step Living. We  promise to save you money and make your home a green machine!

St.Ours & Company is a family owned and operated business, established in 1978 by company president, Frederick St.Ours.  St.Ours& Company produces St.Ours Clam Broth and St.Ours Lobster Broth. Both all natural dehydrated broths are used as a base in soups, sauces, dips and more. St.Ours’ broths are the primary ingredients in many nationally known brands and award winning chowders. Additionally, we offer IQF (individually quick frozen) clam meat, lobster meat, crab meat and shrimp to customers in the New England area. 
 
Q&A with Sharon St. Ours

Why is sustainability important to you?  Sustainability is important to me to ensure that my children, and future generations, have a healthy environment to live in with plenty of resources available to flourish.

How do you define Green?  Green is using only what you need, and making responsible choices so little is wasted.

Were you involved in the Celebration last year?  Yes, I was on the planning committee.

What was your impression of the event?  It came together as we had envisioned. Everyone had a great time. I hope to have a repeat of that experience this year.
 
How long has your business been in existence?  My father, Fred St.Ours, founded St.Ours & Company in 1978.

Can you sum up your business in one sentence? St.Ours Clam Broth is made from steaming fresh, sustainably fished North Atlantic clams. The broth is then dehydrated so it can be enjoyed in seafood recipes all year without refrigeration.

What is your favorite thing about living on the South Shore?  (since this is a South Shore celebration)
I grew up on the South Shore and have many memories here. I have lived in other areas of the country, but always come back to the South Shore. There are few places more beautiful. I also love the seasonal changes and the proximity to the
ocean.

Do you have one green tip that you'd like to share?  I can't say enough about composting. We used some of our beautiful compost to plant grass seed this year and two cherry tomato plants popped up! It also keeps waste to a minimum.

 What is you favorite locally grown or produced food? Restaurant? Ice Cream destination? Clam Shack?I love seafood. I can't wait until summer each year to have steamed lobster and garden tomatoes with fresh basil. For fine dining it's a tie between Oro in Scituate and Bia Bistro in Cohasset. I love Bryantville Deli's sammies and no one can beat Maria's for subs. For Ice Cream we like Dairy Twist in Pembroke and Dribbles in Scituate. I love the fried clams at the Satuit Grille in Scituate and the Lobster Hut in Plymouth.


 

Island Creek Oysters began when Skip Bennett planted his first
oysters in Duxbury Bay in 1992.  In the early days there weren’t enough oysters to supply restaurants, so chefs simply said when you have them, we want them. Through this commitment to chefs,  Island Creek Oysters has grown into one of the largest oyster companies in the United States.
 
After witnessing the effects of their own shellfish farm on the local economy, diet, and environment, Island Creek Oysters became committed to creating a world where all people have uninterrupted access to nutritious, sustainably grown food.  They believe that aquaculture will play an important role in meeting the food production needs of a growing human population. The Island Creek Oysters Foundation supports projects that use sustainable aquaculture as a food source. Additionally, we educate and inform people about the value of aquaculture as a solution to the global issue of food production.

  
Q&A with Chris Sherman
  
This is your first year sponsoring the South Shore Celebration, why did you decided to become involved? We like to support local sustainability initiatives where we see fit.
 
Can you sum up your business in one sentence? We grow some of the best oysters in the world and have a damn
good time doing it.

What is your favorite thing about living on the South Shore? Duxbury Bay.


 

Family owned South Shore Organics offers a convenient service delivering fresh local and organic produce to conscientious residents who want a  food source they can trust. Everything is certified organic, or locally sustainably grown.   

Q&A with Pam Denholm of South Shore Organics
 
Why is sustainability important to you? Because our yesterdays have taught us that we are responsible for our tomorrows.

 How do you define Green?  Green is about being conscientious, it’s about being aware of the impact of little decisions we make every day be it paper or plastic, on or off, or just eating fresh and buying local. Green is not a revolution, little things make a big difference.
 
Were you involved in the Celebration last year? Yes.
 
What was your impression of the event? I LOVED it!!! The event really took on a life of its own, yes we worked hard, but we were carried along by the enthusiasm of the South Shore community.  The event had an energy of its own, it exceeded our expectations and by the looks of things, it will do that again this year!
 
How long has your business been in existence?  18 months
 
Can you sum up your business in one sentence?  We source fresh food from local and organic growers, and deliver it to  residents on the South Shore through a flexible and convenient delivery service – it lowers the carbon footprint of our community, virtually eliminates
packaging, and supports local farmers.
 
What is your favorite thing about living on the South Shore?  The beaches and coastline are nice, the culture and heritage interesting, and the farm stands, apple picking and local markets are a treasure, but what I love most are the people. I feel as though the South Shore is a community of people with values and pride, they care about each other, are family oriented and neighborly. Combined with everything else it has to offer, who wouldn’t want to live here?
 
Do you have one green tip that you'd like to  share?  Buy food that comes from farms, not factories. It is so much better for you, and one of the greenest things you can do in your  home.
 
What is your favorite locally grown or produced food? Restaurant? Ice  Cream destination? Clam Shack? How do you choose? Local corn, blueberries, apples, peaches, lobsters,  fish, eggs, cheese, milk, ice-cream, freshly baked bread – we’re pretty spoiled  and I love it all!

 Anything else you'd like our guests to know? If you don’t come to the South Shore Celebration this year, you truly  will be missing out. This event is about so much more than just sustainability –  it is a community event like no other and you can’t help but leave feeling  inspired and proud to call the South Shore home.