by Pam Mount

The tenth annual Local Living Expo: Being Green Pays Off is set for March 19th.  The Living Local Expo will run from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Rider University gymnasium, which is located on the main campus, 2083 Lawrenceville Rd, Lawrenceville, NJ. It is free and open to the public. The popular event will feature sustainable local businesses, community groups, local farms, demonstrations and speakers throughout the day. 

This year’s Expo is organized by Mercer County Sustainability Coalition (MCSC), a partnership of green teams from Lawrence Twp., Ewing, Hopewell Valley, Princeton, West Windsor, East Windsor and Trenton and sustainability nonprofits, Sustainable Princeton and Sustainable Lawrence. Other partners include Mercer County Office of Economic Development and Sustainability and the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association.

Members from the community are invited to apply to be vendors, presenters and sponsors during this event. Small Central Jersey businesses and non-profits focused on sustainability are invited to highlight their services and products with hands-on demonstrations and engaging conversations with new customers. Spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis.  This is an excellent opportunity to educate the public about your business’ sustainability goals and to encourage Mercer County residents to take steps toward a greener lifestyle. The focus of the event is to learn how to save money while being green.

Sponsors are welcome to support the Living Local Expo at four different contribution levels to support this incredible grassroots effort. All sponsors will be recognized in event program and signage and publicity materials

In addition to more than 60 eco-friendly vendors at the expo, visitors can learn about a variety of sustainability issues and exciting community projects such as bike paths, food waste recycling, energy efficiency and wellness. A farmers market will feature local farms and local artisan food producers. A lunch celebrating locally sourced and seasonal ingredients will be available for purchase.

Vendor and sponsor applications are available at the Living Local Expo website – http://www.livinglocalexpo.net/.  Look there for information as it develops about speakers, presentations, vendors and sponsors.