We are happy to announce that to celebrate its first festive season the association has planted an Avocado Tree in Kenya, joining the Treedom community. The reason behind this decision is twofold. On one hand, it aims at showing BSSF commitment to a greener and more sustainable planet. Secondly, it represents a wish for the association’s initiatives and projects to grow and be valuable. Moreover, it is not by chance that BSSF has opted for an Avocado Tree. Indeed, the selection process has been mainly driven by the meanings that the trees carry, according to the trees’ descriptions showed on the online product catalogue, and their powers (as they are called in Treedom’s website) in terms of Environmental protection, Economic development, CO₂ absorption and Food security. In particular, the Avocado has always been considered as a fruit of fertility and creativity, that if considered in their broader sense are essential for a newly founded organisation, like BSSF, to grow. From an environmental perspective, not only the tree will contribute to the soil and biodiversity protection, but it will also absorb 500kg of CO₂ emissions, offsetting those produced by 1000km by car. Finally, the fruits will be used by the local communities either as food resource or as support for their income, selling them in the local markets. Thanks to the geo-location services, the association will be able to track the tree history and growth. Given that the association’s values and beliefs are aligned to Treedom’s ones, this is the perfect opportunity to spend a few words on the company’s business model and to promote its activities. Treedom was founded by Federico Garcea and Tommaso Speroni in Florence, in 2010. Its value proposition relies upon an online platform where every user can plant a tree with a click and then follow it online. The philosophy is to realize small agroforestry systems, that favor the virtuous interactions between the different species and a sustainable use of resources and land, and allow thousands of farmers – especially those living in the south of the world – to support the initial costs of planting new trees, ensuring food autonomy and income opportunities over time. To do so, Treedom agricultural and forestry experts collaborate with many NGOs in rural communities. There, they help train farmers to switch from destructive slash-and-burn practices, which themselves cause climate change, to more sustainable and productive methods. Since 2014, it is part of the Certified Benefit Corporations’ Network, thanks to its sustainable business model, which combines profit and growth with a higher end: positive environmental and social impacts. Certified Benefit Corporations are for-profit businesses that meet the highest standards in terms of social and environmental performances, public transparency and legal accountability and the certifications are issued by B Lab, after having carried out the proper assessments. On top of that, with its planting activities in Asia, Africa, South America and Italy, Treedom contributes to the achievement of 10 Sustainable Development Goals, namely: No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Economic Growth, Responsible Consumption, Climate Action, Life on Land, Reduced Inequalities and Partnerships for the Goals. In early December Treedom has reached an incredible achievement, planting its 1500000th tree. The company has experienced an incredible growth throughout the years and today its community comprises more than 500000 participants worldwide and 3000 companies, such as H&M, Enel, Axa, San Benedetto, Timberland, Hyundai, Unilever and Intimissimi, that have planted their own forests. On a final note, the association hopes to plant many more trees in the nearest future and wishes that those people that believe in the same principles and values will join the Treedom community!