Mindful Consumer - Want to give back but don't have time? Buy from B corps

Y’all know I’m a crunchy SortaRican and most of the food products we bring into our house are healthful, whole foods that have clean ingredients.

I nerd out when those good foods also come from good companies that are working hard to do better for communities and ultimately the world. Sounds like a big effort, but every little act makes a difference. Just think of the possibilities if more companies are building safe havens while working toward a more just and equitable world.

I wish I had more time to give toward the effort. I’d love to volunteer more and generally be more involved with charities and non-profits. But sometimes my own life gets so busy that I just don’t have time left to give. When I found out about Certified B Corporations, I was stoked because finally I could weave impactful decisions into my daily routine. It takes just a few seconds more in the grocery store to check labels and see if my money is going toward companies that practice social good.

What is a B Corp?

B corp certifications are designated by the non-profit organization B Lab. Before a company can become certified, it has to go through a series of tests and evaluations to measure how it interacts with customers, community, workers and the environment, then it’s given a score. The higher its score, the more a company is doing to make a positive impact and work as a force for good.

Some of the indicators are diversity and inclusion, community engagement, and transparency.

Here’s the score for one of my favorite drink companies, ZYN.

The cool thing is that B Labs has made it super easy to find certified B corps by building an online directory. The list is growing, which is absolutely something to celebrate and support. You can search the B Corp Directory here and find a conscious company in just about every industry.

I love this effort, and I love seeing the various industries that are becoming listed as B corps because it helps me be more mindful about the products I buy and the companies I put my money behind.

So next time you go shopping, look for the B on the package and feel confident that your purchase is actually making a difference.