Earth Month
Our co-op exists to create and sustain a vibrant community of healthy individuals, sustainable local food systems, and thriving cooperative commerce. Achieving our mission includes supporting the natural environment, and the environmental returns outlined in our ends policies are just as important as the economic and social returns.
For our environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts, our co-op was designated one of the first Green Grocery Environmental Leaders by the state of Vermont in 2016.
Sustainability at the Co-op
The Co-op continuously seeks to lessen our local and global environmental impact throughout our business operations. We actively track our sustainability metrics, including energy usage and volume of compost, recycling, and trash through Co+efficient, a national sustainability program developed by National Co+op Grocers. For example, last year, we diverted 76.1% of our waste to composting and recycling streams, and the Co-op experienced no perceptible refrigerant leaks, which contribute to greenhouse gases.
In recent years, our co-op has made innovative improvements in energy efficiency by targeting refrigeration and HVAC systems. We reduced our refrigeration demand in the winter by installing a system for walk-in coolers that circulate in cold, outdoor air. Additionally, we installed a heat reclamation tank that captures excess heat from our refrigeration system to preheat water used on-site.
The carport in our parking lot has solar panels and a free electric vehicle charging station for customers to charge their electric vehicles. The solar panels generate energy that is returned directly back into the grid, and the Co-op gets a credit applied to our electric bill. They currently offset nearly two percent of our energy use. In February of 2022, the Co-op purchased two solar arrays. The power generated from the solar panels will equal almost all the Co-op’s electrical consumption.
Shop Bulk Foods & Save
Bulk departments have always been a staple in food co-ops. You can find as little or as much as you need of items like spices, oils, rice, pasta, flour, beans, grains, nuts, dried fruit, maple syrup, candy, and coffee. Have you taken our cool new grinders for a whirl yet? In addition to almonds, cashews, and peanuts, we’ve also added some sweetness with the honey peanuts and a chocolate peanut combo.
Buying in bulk is better for the environment and can help you save money. Reducing packaging and reusing containers means less energy is used to bring the product to you, and less waste is sent to the landfills. Reduced packaging also allows you to save money by paying for the product and not the packaging.
From April 11 – April 22, Co-op member-owners will save 20 cents, and nonmembers will save 10 cents on their bulk foods purchases when using a clean, reusable container.
From April 18 – April 24, Co-op members will save 20%, and nonmembers will save 10%, on bulk food purchases.
- Offer includes bulk coffees, herbs, teas, and packaged bulk items.
- Offer excludes wellness bulk items (shampoos, conditioners, soaps, lotions) and bulk deli foods (olives, pickles, kimchi, sauerkraut).
- The member discount is only for member-owners in good standing.
- This discount cannot be used for special orders.
- Other shopping discounts, including senior, Co-op Cares, working members, council, and staff, will be applied before the bulk discount.
Environmental Workshops
- 350VT will be tabling outside the Co-op on April 22 from 11 am – 6 pm. They will have information on their Climate Action Plan, Rewilding and their legislative agenda.
Check out these great environmental-themed Co-op workshops from years past:
