Every month we get a whole array of new products that land on the shelves of the Monadnock Food Co-op. Here are just a few that we think you should check out the next time you’re in the store!
May 2020
With all of our attention on the Covid-19 pandemic, April’s Earth Day and Earth Month definitely did not get the love it deserved. So, we’re going to highlight a few brands we carry in the co-op that are really going above and beyond in the fight against climate change—with everything from packaging to landscaping at their facilities.
DR. BRONNER’S
We love their soap and cleaning products but after learning about all they do in every facet of their business, we love them even more. At their manufacturing plant in Vista, CA, for example, Dr. Bronner’s is reducing waste, water use and energy consumption both inside and outside.
—Solar panels were installed in their employee parking lot allowing them to generate a significant portion of the electricity they use.
—To reduce their water use, they developed a system that lets their liquid soap filling machine operators know exactly when to wash out the filling machines reducing rinse water use by 85%!
—-Drought-tolerant native species perfect for the San Diego climate replaced grass and tropical species landscaping around their site.
—They’ve committed to reducing the amount of waste they send to landfill to just one dumpster a month and are well on the way to reaching that goal! Waste-sorting stations throughout their plant help them divert waste that can be recycled or composted.
—Shipping boxes use 100% PCR (post-consumer recycled) corrugate. They’ve switched to cardboard that’s 30% thinner, and have slowly removed 90% of the dividers from inside their cases. They’re able to reuse their cases several times before they lose their rigidity— not only saving materials but reducing greenhouse gas emissions because there is less weight to be shipped. And they’ve worked closely with their label manufacturer to build an industry-leading model for recycling the rolls of backing on their labels.
Find out more about their goal to become a near-zero-waste operation here.
KETTLE Potato Chips
“Sustainability comes first” is what Kettle Brands lives by. “We all need to care for the planet. After all, it’s where we grow all those fresh, natural potatoes.”
In 2019 Kettle launched an initiative that uses 43% less packaging than before. This reduces their annual greenhouse gas emissions from packaging by 51% and keeps over 2 million lbs. of plastic waste out of the landfill. Same taste, same amount of chips, less waste!
After chip production, the excess vegetable oil is stored in a tank and, when enough accumulates, it’s picked up and taken to a biodiesel production facility. At this facility, 100% of their excess oil is converted into biodiesel, a distilled vegetable oil used for fueling vehicles, which emits 74% less CO2 than petroleum diesel fuel.
And their sustainability commitment continues to the areas surrounding their buildings. The facility in Salem, Oregon, is located adjacent to a nearly 2-acre wetland that serves as an overflow zone when nearby Mill Creek, a native salmon stream, overflows its banks. The area is home to many species of animals and plants. Over the years, they’ve introduced native plants such as Aster, Camas, Red Alder, Lupine, and Sword Fern. They’ve also introduced aquatic plant species such as Wapato and Marsh Pennywort to enhance biological diversity in the wetland pond. In the process, a variety of native wetland animals have taken up residence, including a family of herons. They’ve created a trail system for people to enjoy the area, complete with interpretive signs and benches for sitting and enjoying this natural area.
Surrounding their factory in Beloit, Wisconsin, they’ve planted five acres of native tall grass prairie. This is the naturally-occurring vegetation that was endemic to the Midwest for thousands of years until the land was cultivated. Mature prairies require very little care, needing no watering or fertilizing, and attract a variety of songbirds and other native wildlife.
Some nice things to think about the next time you’re snacking 😁
PUKKA Teas
Pukka was built upon the values of organic farming, fair trade, and conservation through commerce. From sourcing organic ingredients to becoming carbon neutral in 2019 they believe a healthy world means a healthy you. Being part of a global non-profit organization called 1% for the Planet is their way to help change the world for a positive future—one cup of tea at a time.
As members of 1% for the Planet, Pukka gives 1% of everything they sell to environmental and social causes. You buy, they give back. There are innumerable ways that this partnership has made a difference. Here’s just one example:
Triphala is a traditional digestive tonic used in some Pukka teas. It’s made using bibhitaki and haritaki fruit grown in the Western Ghats in India. The trees on which these fruits grow are part of the rich ecosystem in one of the world’s most biodiverse areas and are home to rare animals and birds, including the great pied hornbill.
But these trees are under threat. Their timber is valuable and tempting to local landowners who are struggling to make ends meet. They realized that if people could make a livelihood by collecting the fruits from the trees, they wouldn’t have to cut them down. That’s how Pukka came to work with Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF) to create India’s first international Fair Wild certification for bibhitaki and haritaki. This project provides jobs for many locals, who work to collect, process, and sort the fruits for a fair wage.
Find out more about Pukka’s projects here and thanks to all you Pukka tea drinkers – together we are all doing something really special. 🌎
