A friend just gave me this great book, “Shopping for a Better World” by Ellis Jones. It lists major retailers by category (ie. clothing, coffee, milk) and then grades them (A-F) based on ethical business practices and environmental sustainability. It then points out the biggest “heroes” and “villains” of the industry. For example, American Apparel was listed as a “hero” for clothing for their use of organic cotton and their employment policy (all US workers, paid living wages). Exxon was listed as a corporate villain, along with some other notables (Kraft, Acer, GE). The book lists the 10 best and 10 worst companies in the world. I was happy to see my organic milk brand, Stonyfield Farms, listed as one of the best.

Anyway, it’s a cool book to check out. I always get a good feeling when I buy something whose profits go to an ethical company that’s trying to help the world be a little bit better.