The Center for Leadership and Service at the University of Florida created the Purpose 20 Awards to honor the contributions made to Alachua County by local for-profit businesses. These 20 businesses provide invaluable cash and in-kind donations while supporting the community with efforts in environmental sustainability, serving as role models for change within the community and encouraging staff members to give their time to local causes. All of this work often goes unrecognized. The Center for Leadership and Service hopes that by recognizing these businesses, we inspire others through their example and demonstrate that business is about more than making a profit — it is also about having a purpose to build a better community.
Frog Song Organics broke ground in 2011 to provide healthy food for the Alachua County community on a daily basis, and they continue to serve hundreds of people each week through their CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program. The CSA program, which has been operated by Frog Song since 2012, is a partnership between community members and the farmers that feed them; they cultivate their crops in a manner that protects the groundwater, air and soil resources. They do not use any synthetic fertilizers or pesticides and make an effort to find local sources of fertility inputs. Frog Song also donates to various groups who prepare meals for families at the Ronald McDonald House. They are also a strong supporting member of Florida Organic Growers, a nonprofit education and advocacy organization. Frog Song believes sustainability is a moving target and plans to employ solar power for all of its energy use and use biodiesel in their tractors in the future. The organization also advocates and educates customers, CSA members and the general public about policy issues relating to farming and farmworker issues. Throughout its business, Frog Song purses a goal of providing healthy food and jobs the right way.