OXNARD, Calif. (April 6, 2009) The award-winning Oxnard Salsa Festival, a Celebration of all things Salsa, announced today that it has joined with Social Good Consulting and the City of Oxnard in new efforts to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly event.

The festival will be held July 25 and 26 in Downtown Oxnard, California, USA.

"In our efforts to one day build an entirely 'green' event, we will continue to strengthen partnerships with environmentally conscious companies and organizations," said Elizabeth Alvarez, Festival Director. "We're delighted to work again with the City of Oxnard to recycle materials and divert waste from the landfill.  This year, we are also proud to have a new partner, Social Good Consulting, to help in our Path to Sustainability.  We plan to leverage both organizations’ expertise in guiding us to achieve a 100 percent Climate Neutral rating for the event at some point in the next 10 years."

This year, organizers will continue to build on the recycling efforts implemented in 2005 by incorporating the following goals for the 2009 event:

1. Track recycling efforts to measure pounds of waste generated and diverted;

2. Collect all food safe uncooked and nonperishable food items for distribution to FOOD Share pantries;

3. Transition all forms and administrative paper to electronic form and encourage the use of paperless technology for all vendors and sponsors;

4. Reduce plastic water bottle use, and encourage festival attendees to recycle at the event;

5. Reduce Styrofoam use by 75% by working with vendors to source alternatives;

6. Sell reusable totes and bags;

7. Exhibit the Festival’s Path to Sustainability to provide attendees with information and background about why the above efforts are needed and what they can do, both at the Festival and in their daily lives, to minimize their own ecological footprints.

About the Oxnard Salsa Festival - The Festival features salsa bands, non-stop salsa dancing, 75 flavors of salsa to sample, a vibrant vendor marketplace, international foods, ‘Kids Korner' attractions, recipe contests and chef demonstrations. The festival attracts an estimated 45,000 attendees each year. The event runs from 11 am to 7 pm both days; admission and parking are free.

Festival organizers are seeking exhibitors who sell spicy foods, gourmet salsa and sauces, chili pepper souvenirs, hand-crafted jewelry, original art, pottery, garden décor, unique clothing and accessories. Vendor applications are available on-line at www.oxnardsalsafestival.com. The deadline for submission is May 18.  For other information or to become a festival sponsor, call the Oxnard Downtowners at 805-247-0197.

About Social Good Consulting - Social Good provides strategic and sustainable marketing and business tools to businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations who seek to create lasting, positive change in their community, and in the world.  For more information, call (805) 658-8196.