~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Phillip Nabors
Mustard Seed Market and Cafe

The Nominator: Vicki Todd-Smith, Mustard Seed Market and Cafe

How has the nominee implemented sustainable business practices? What is the triple bottom line benefit (people planet prosperity) of the nominee`s work?
Phillip Nabors IS the face of the organic/all natural supermarket industry in Ohio. Long before it because fashionable, he and his wife, Margaret, were pioneers in opening the Mustard Seed over 26 years ago.
In the intervening years, his name has become synonymous with purity of products, sustainability and customer education. Because of his commitment to the Mustard Seed philosophy, he has inspired thousands of people to change their lives by re-examining the products they buy for themselves and for their families. Mustard Seed Market is arguably the company that has the best relationship with local farmers of any comparable organization. In the summer, 97% of the produce found in the store comes from local farmers. Phillip has encouraged this very important symbiotic relationship. By strongly supporting local farmers, he has aided our local economy year after year, and has become a champion to the sustainability movement.

How has the nominee inspired you to implement sustainable business practices?
I am part of the Mustard Seed family and thus I am inspired by our commitment to the organic and all natural movement that Phillip created in northeast Ohio.

How can someone else translate the success of the nominee? Is the work an example or model that others can follow?
It is obvious that other major players in the supermarket industry are enlarging and expanding their organic departments. The Mustard Seed through Phillip has been the poster child for our competitors to understand the importance of the organic movement.

How does the nominee actively participate in the sustainability community? How do they collaborate and share their knowledge with others?
I cannot begin to name all the organizations that count on Phillip to sponsor events, either through monetary donations or through in-kind donations. He has always believed that educating our customers is the best way to change people`s lives and the lives of their children. The Mustard Seed offers a large selection of seminars and classes for this very purpose.