At Hollyhock, we believe that every dollar spent is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. To help you make informed decisions, we have partnered with Shorefast to implement the Economic Nutrition(CM) certification. This is a framework designed to show you exactly how your purchase impacts local and national economies.
What is Economic Nutrition?
Just as a nutrition label on food helps you understand what you are putting into your body, the Economic Nutrition Label helps you understand what your money is doing for a community. This initiative, developed by Shorefast, provides a transparent breakdown of where money goes and what it pays for, encouraging “place-based” economics that strengthen local resilience.
Shorefast’s Economic Nutrition Partner Series
Hollyhock is proud to have played a pivotal role as part of the inaugural certification cohort, helping to test and refine this model as Shorefast prepares to scale it across Canada in 2026.
Our Ethics of Transparency
We don’t just talk about sustainability; we measure it. By using this framework, we are deepening our procurement practices to ensure that whenever possible, our staffing and supplies, from the oils in our spa to the kale in our kitchen, support the health of our local ecosystem.
Our Impact: The Hollyhock Breakdown.
“Economic Nutrition is a new way to encourage people to invest in the future of local economies.” – Shorefast Institute
Where the Money Goes
Based on our data as of December 31, 2024, the vast majority of our spending remains within our region:
- 33% stays directly on Cortes Island.
- 38% stays within British Columbia.
- 19% goes to the Rest of Canada.
- 10% is spent Internationally.
Our current Economic Nutrition Label reflects our commitment to Cortes Island and the province of British Columbia. By choosing Hollyhock for your retreats, workshops, or meals, you are directly supporting local livelihoods and sustainable business operations.
What the Money Pays For
We prioritize people and the local industries that make our restaurant, spa, and programs possible:
- 45% Salaries & Wages: Supporting our dedicated staff and faculty
- 26% Business Operations: Keeping our center running sustainably.
- 18% Programming & Facilitation: Investing in the world-class workshops and leadership training we provide.
- 6% Food & Beverage: Sourcing ingredients for our restaurant, often from local producers.
- 5% Professional Services & Retail: Supporting contractors and local artisans.
