by Anna S. Mills

All business owners sign contracts, and some even read them before filing them away. If you do nothing more than this, you are missing an opportunity to protect your business and advance your green goals.
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by Travis Smuckler, Van Winkle Summer Associate

If you’re operating a green business in North Carolina, you may qualify for grants from the State. Over the last several years, North Carolina has been allocating funds for businesses and non-profits that are working to improve environmental conditions within the state. In particular, two programs focused on renewable energy and clean water have begun distributing funds to small businesses.

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by Jeffrey D. Zentner

A common sight along the roadsides of Western North Carolina in the spring and summer is the roadside produce stand, where growers sell fresh produce directly from their fields and orchards. If you are a producer or handler of food products, especially produce, you may have wondered whether you may legally label or call your food products “100 percent organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic ingredients.”

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by Anna S. Mills

From grocery stores specializing in organic foods to green builders, Western North Carolina is home to a growing number of businesses that provide “green” products and services intended to provide benefits to the consumer and the environment. Because of the strong market for these products and services, businesses may be tempted to “greenwash” or exaggerate the environmental benefits of their product or service. Even if a business’ motives are pure, it can be difficult to know how to market products and services because the “green” market is evolving so quickly.

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