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Donita Anderson
North Union Farmers Markets

The Nominator: Tiffany Leeper, North Union Farmers Market

How has the nominee implemented sustainable business practices in his or her business or organization and what are the triple bottom line benefits (people, planet, prosperity) of the nominee`s work?
Donita Anderson has worked hard to bring safe, local food to Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio by working with key players in Cleveland to create a network of farmers markets.  Donita cares deeply about the people purchasing food at the market, but she also looks out for the farmers, making sure they are "selling the whole truck load" and are able to support their families.  She is always conscience of the triple bottom line benefits to people, the planet and prosperity.  She is supporting a wide range of people (at the market) by promoting a healthy environment (sustainable agriculture) through hundreds of small businesses (farms).

How has the nominee inspired you to implement sustainable business practices?
Donita sees the entire picture of how local food affects the public, the environment and the farmer.  Her broad view has allowed her to take an approach that promotes all aspects of the local food movement in Northeast Ohio.  I am inspired to promote people, planet and prosperity in my own work and in my community.

How can someone else translate the success of the nominee? Is the work of the nominee an example or model that others can follow?
YES!  Donita is open-minded but works slowly and meticulously to create markets in key areas that will benefit the public and the farmers.  She is strategic but is always willing to learn.  In this way, she does very great things with little resources.  While North Union Farmers Market appears large (running 8 farmers markets in 2009), the staff and volunteer pool are small.  This is due to Donita`s excellent leadership.

How does the nominee actively participate in the sustainability community? How do they collaborate and share their knowledge with others?
Donita has worked closely with Cleveland State Univeristy and the Cleveland Clinic as well as communities in the area to promote local food through farmers markets and in their food service facilities.  THe markets are the main outlet for education, but through North Union Farmers Markets e-newsletters and website, we are connecting even more people to local food.  Donita was also a participant in the Sustainable Cleveland 2019 Summit and continues to work with other participants on clean water and soil issues.