Our Philosophy
(See the article from the June 2005 Onion Skin!)
VTea Limited is redefining the way business is conducted by providing the highest quality products in a way that maximizes the social, environmental and economic benefits for all.
We hold all of our products, and the work done to produce them, to the values outlined below
Green Mountain Mycosystems Business Philosophy:
Food and energy production systems modeled after, and integrated into, the natural environment will provide environmental, social and economic returns greater than systems designed out of context with nature.
Locally produced foods are superior to foods grown a great distance from where they will be consumed due to their freshness and the reduction in energy required to transport them to their destination.
The quality of the food and drinks a person consumes has a substantial impact on their overall health and quality of life.
Our society needs to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels as rapidly as possible, with the goal of developing an economic system that no longer relies on fossil fuels.
Individual and business purchase decisions have a tremendous effect on the direction our economy takes, therefore it is important that the social and environmental impact of each purchase be weighed in addition to the economic cost. This many times involves making tough decisions, with no clearly right answer, but as more businesses begin to employ full cost accounting it will become easier to see the benefits of one product over another. Sometimes the decision becomes easier still: don't buy anything (except for GMM mushrooms and related products, of course).
Happy people work more effectively, and have fewer health problems, than people who are unhappy; therefore it is economically prudent, not to mention socially essential, for a business to strive to maximize the quality of life of all its employees.
Businesses are not people. Individuals have inalienable rights that must be respected and protected at all costs; businesses have a responsibility to society to provide worthwhile products in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of individual people.
A healthy society needs to avoid concentrations of power in the hands of only a few, and maximize the free exchange of diverse ideas among all its citizens. These ideas are as important in the business world, as they are for a democratic government, because they increase the ability of a business to find new revenue streams and adapt to changing market conditions while maximizing the productivity of each employee because of their sense of ownership in the company.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" - Mohandas Ghandhi as quoted by Sam Granger, an amazing woman whose years here were few but who truly embodied what it means to make the world a better place through your actions.