Greyston Bakery is announcing the release of their 2012 Annual Benefit Report and is further innovating on the social enterprise business model it established over 30 years ago. Last year Greyston became the first company to utilize New York State’s new law that permitted companies to register as Benefit Corporations. New York State lawmakers took a bold stance in enabling the Benefit Corporation legislation and allowing businesses to consider the welfare of its employees, their community, and the environment in addition to a focus on financial gain.

The new legislation requires all Benefit Corporations to create an Annual Benefit Report (ABR) that documents an organization’s commitment to its social justice and environmental goals, shows the organization’s outcomes to date and establishes benchmarks for the future. It is this transparency that will shape the future of the economy as business and consumers make informed purchasing decisions based on the operating values of an organization.

"Last year, benefit corporations opened New York for business in a huge new way," said Senator Daniel Squadron, who sponsored the legislation to bring benefit corporations to New York. "Benefit corporations like Greyston Bakery understand that profitable business and social responsibility can – and should – go hand-in-hand. It's clear Greyston has got the recipe down for this new socially-minded approach to entrepreneurship – and I look forward to seeing it continue to rise here and throughout New York."

Greyston’s Annual Benefit Report highlights the accomplishments from 2012, including the creation of 32 new manufacturing jobs and the Bakery’s new energy efficiency initiatives. All of its products will now be manufactured with the help of 36 solar panels from Green Mountain Energy®, including the brownies for its values led partnership with Ben & Jerry’s®. “We have spent the last year carefully assessing our community impact and challenging ourselves to achieve organizational targets focused on creating economic opportunity for the City of Yonkers,” says Greyston Bakery CEO, Mike Brady. “We are proud to be New York State’s first Benefit Corporation and we want to set the example for other socially conscious businesses to follow.”

There is a growing community of more than 700 Certified B Corps from 25 countries and 60 industries working together toward one unifying goal: to redefine success in business and to create prosperous corporations that act with a conscience. As of December 2012, twelve of the fifty States have recognized the positive impact that these companies can make on their economies and have introduced Benefit Corporation legislation into state law. New York State was among the first to codify this legislation, joining the growing movement to develop legal frameworks that accommodate the needs of upcoming social entrepreneurs and established businesses.

The digital report is available for download at: GreystonBakery.com/BenefitReport.

About Greyston Bakery:

Founded in 1982 in Yonkers, New York, Greyston Bakery produces quality brownie mix-ins for Ben & Jerry’s® Ice Cream along with other premium baked goods. For the past 30 years Greyston has been and continues to be a force for self-transformation and community renewal by offering on-site training and benefits to more than 75 local residents regardless of their work history. Greyston Bakery’s profits support the Greyston Foundation’s community development initiatives including low-income housing, childcare, health services, community gardens and workforce development.

Greyston Bakery

Greyston Bakery

Founded in 1982 in Yonkers, Greyston Bakery produces quality baked goods, brownie mix-ins for Ben & Jerry’s® Ice Cream, along with other premium desserts. The Bakery is a force for self-transformation and community renewal by offering on-site training fair wages and benefits to more than 50 local residents, regardless of their work history for the past 30 years. Greyston Bakery’s profits support the Greyston Foundation’s community development initiatives, including low-income housing, childcare, health services, community gardens and workforce development.

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