Vermont Business Magazine Healthy Living Market and Cafe, located in South Burlington, has been named as a Northeast Sustainable Grocery Environmental Leader by the state of Vermont for their environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts. The standards to meet this designation were developed by state environmental agency workgroup members of NEWMOA (Northeast Waste Management Officials Organization). The State of Vermont’s Green Business Program provides assistance to businesses desiring to “green up” their operations and recognizes businesses of all sizes for meeting a set of environmental standards. These standards are posted on the program websites (www.vbep.org).
Installation of the electric car charger in 2011. VBM photo.
In addition to participating in an environmental assessment, Healthy Living Market and Cafe has:
- Developed a store compost and recycling project with Casella Waste Systems
- Sponsors Vermont Green Up Day
- Sponsors the Intervale Conservation Nursery Project
- Has an active Community Outreach Program that is involved in many environmental projects and donates to hundreds of non-profits every year
- Features an abundantly stocked Bulk Department that reduces all packaging by offering over 100 self-serve products
- Has worked for 30 years with local farms, farmers, and producers to bring products to market
- Developed the Bread and Butter Farm project that involved a loan for a new hoop house. That loan program is now available to other farms; our most recent project is with Vermont Edible Landscaping.
- Has organically grown edible landscaping and gardens at our Vermont and New York stores
- Offers Bicycle Benefits program for our staff and guests
- Has a solar powered no-charge electric car charging station which is currently being upgraded to serve more cars
- Installed energy efficient LED lighting throughout both stores
- Offers carpooling, bicycling and walking to work incentives for staff
- Proudly features a zero waste butchery in both stores, using local whole animals
- Uses Glycol (as opposed to Freon) refrigeration systems in both store systems
The Vermont Green Business Program is a joint effort between the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Vermont Small Business Development Center and is voluntary and free of cost to participating businesses. Vermont businesses designated as Green Businesses are recognized for going beyond compliance with existing environmental regulations, using resource conservation strategies and implementation of environmental best management practices.
About Healthy Living
For 30 years, Healthy Living Market and Café has been selling the cleanest, freshest foods to our valued guests. Independently owned and family operated, today we have two stores in Vermont and New York. Powered by 300+ staff, we are committed to providing good jobs to local people and keeping dollars in our communities. We work together to sell the finest, cleanest food; to support our local farmers and producers; to teach and give great service to guests, staff, vendors and truckers; to enrich the communities we love; and to energize everyone we meet. Learn more at HealthyLivingMarket.com.
Source: Vermont Small Business Development Center