For each reusable shopping bag, basket or box used in place of a paper bag, the Co-op donates five cents to the Montpelier Food Pantry through our Bag that Bag program.

Just Basics Inc., located in downtown Montpelier, is the parent organization of the Montpelier Food Pantry and addresses emergency food needs through two main programs, the pantry and Summer Meals for Kids. The food pantry is the primary source of emergency food for over one thousand area residents who do not have reliable access to affordable, nutritious food.

Over this past year, Co-op shoppers have replaced a record-setting 226,857 paper bags while collectively raising a Bag that Bag donation of $11,342.85! Since this program launched in 2016, shoppers have replaced 635,885 paper bags and raised $31,793.65 for the food pantry.

“For a small organization such as ourselves, this is a HUGE help to our mission, and it enables us to substantially boost our food budget as well as supplement our educational food justice programs,” says Jaime Bedard, the Executive Director of Just Basics, Inc.

Thank you for participating in our Bag that Bag program. Here’s to another record-breaking year!