What makes Local First 'love' this ice cream

Loves Ice Cream 2

Love's Ice Cream owner Chris McKellar talks to Hannah Kennedy. (MLive file photo)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- What makes Love's Ice Cream special goes beyond its taste.

Local First gives Love's high marks for its commitment to sourcing local and organic ingredients by using dairy from grass-fed cows and produce from small Michigan farms.

That commitment to sourcing is why Love's earned "The Mover & Shake Award" from the Grand Rapids-based organization that promotes buying local and sustainability.

Love's received one of six LocalMotions awards presented by Local First at its annual meeting on Jan. 27 at the Goei Center.

Also honored were:

• Brewery Vivant received the "Change Agent" award for promoting active lifestyles in the community by hosting a bike race, and volunteer opportunities for both employees and customers. The Grand Rapids brewery is also investing in adding solar panels to its roof in 2015.

• Dan Broersma and Ken Freestone shared the "Local Hero" award for their sustainability efforts, which include creating the website, GreenMichigan.org, that chronicle ways to be a "conscious consumer."

• Catalyst Partners received the "Triple Bottom Line, Longstanding Business" award for helping business become more sustainable. One of Michigan's newest B Corps, the firm provides mentor services in the areas of engineering, architecture, interior design, and LEED certification.

• Gluten Free Bar took home the "Triple Bottom Line, Up & Coming Business" award. The six-year-old business is locally producing snack bars that are free of gluten, GMO, soy and dairy. The firm became B Corp certified in October.

• The city of Grand Rapids was given the "Guy Bazzani Local Legacy" award for several sustainable programs including mygrcitypoints, a recycling incentive program that partners with, local entrepreneurs and businesses to reduce waste.

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Shandra Martinez covers business for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email her or follow her on Twitter @shandramartinez.

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