One year ago, the Monadnock Food Co-op launched our Green Team. They say time flies when you’re having fun, and the past year with the Green Team has been no exception!
Green Team Members from L to R: Megan, Kevin, Neil, Pamela, Tuul, Seth and Peter
When I became the Sustainability Coordinator last summer, one of my first projects was to create a Green Team for the store. I felt passionately about this being a priority because of how engaged the staff already was on topics related to environmental sustainability. We had many excited conversations over how we could improve the store: solar, compost, more recycling and less disposable items were things at the top of the list. And I’m proud to say we have made headway in all of these areas!
Here are the initial Green Team objectives I identified at the start of our venture:
- Generate enthusiasm and excitement for sustainability related projects
- Contribute ideas and energy for improvements within the store
- Act as a sustainability liaison, informing staff and members about projects the Green Team is working on as well as soliciting ideas and feedback
- Help build a stronger culture of sustainability within the Monadnock Food Co-op
After one year, the Team has executed all of these objectives even beyond my original vision.
Kevin enjoying the fruits of his labor: a smoothie in his new MFC insulated tumbler—the project he worked on as a member of the Green Team!
The Team has changed some over the past year given staffing transitions, but we’ve had 3 folks along for the whole ride: Seth, from the Produce Department, Peter, our Perishables Buyer and Kevin, our Receiver Extraordinaire, who also manages much of our in-store recycling. Other current fabulous Green Team members include Pamela, from the Front End, Neil, from the Meat Department, Tuul, from the Deli and Crystal, from the Wellness Department.
I feel so incredibly lucky to have been able to work with this amazing Team over the past year and I can’t wait to see what the next year brings! Happy Anniversary Green Team!
