Earth Day used to be viewed in some quarters as a slap at business, a protest against a paradigm that exploited the environment. But the upcoming celebration of the 40th Annual Earth Day at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck celebrates among other things, businesses that work with and protect the environment and ways that all businesses can profit from adopting an environmentally protective ethos.
The change in outlook is evident in the many vendors who will pitch wares at the weekend-long event, April 24-25.
Perhaps the sweetest surprise is that among the businesses on hand will be three separate offerings of organic chocolates.
“We want the Hudson Valley to know there are lots of companies that are mindful or work beneficially with the environment,” said Laurie Rich, coordinator of the Earth Day events at the fairgrounds.
Rich said that even businesses whose nature doesn”™t necessarily suggest participation in Earth Day events could benefit from visiting the vendors who do participate because they may uncover opportunities to save on energy bills and promote themselves as green-friendly.
Among the vendors are Malcarne Contracting in Rhinebeck. “We do green buildings and we implement energy efficiency measure to help our customers make their homes and businesses more safe and energy efficient, so this is a natural venue for us,” said Petra Averback, the office manager.
A perhaps less-logical, but more-delicious business displaying on Earth Day is Bluestocking Bonbons, offering vegan and organic chocolates. “Basically I”™m trying to make really good chocolates with ethical values,” said Lagusta Yearwood, whose candy business is among a trio of food-related enterprises she owns.
Organic ingredients are increasingly popular with customers and do not harm the environment through use of toxic material anywhere in the process, she said, but added there is another major reason to choose one”™s chocolate carefully.
“It”™s a huge ethical and human rights issue because of the child labor used in producing main stream chocolate, there are some serious modern day slavery issues going on,” said Yearwood. “So I wanted to create a chocolate company that is truly ethical.”
Yearwood said she uses Fair Trade-certified chocolate purchased from Tcho, a San Francisco-based chocolate company.
Such interesting and tasty tidbits are standard fare at Earth Day celebration, said Rich, who said organizers are keeping the event affordable, charging  $5 for adults, with children under 12 and seniors admitted free.
The event runs both days 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
