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RETAIL SUSTAINABILITY AWARD WAKEFERN/SHOPRITE
A Sustainable Outcome, Naturally
This cooperative structure has been a critical asset in propelling its members’ sustainability efforts by creating an ideal balance. On one hand, members enjoy advantages that avail an independent family retailer — risk-taking agility and flexibility to change course on a dime. They also benefit from close ties with their communities and grassroots-savvy ability to adapt to their changing marketplace and tailor programs to the local customer base. Yet members can capitalize on the corporate advantages of joining forces, whether gaining efficiencies with buying power and economies of scale or participating in Wakefern’s Biennial Sustainability Summit. It is here, according to Meleta, where members present their findings on various sustainability projects, meet vendors, attend workshops with experts and swap brainpower on what worked and in some cases what didn’t.
It led members to highly successful food waste recovery, composting and recycling programs, drastic reductions in energy use by revamping store refrigeration and lighting systems, while experimenting with hopeful
technologies, such as solar and electric car charging stations. From Fair Trade to locally-grown to food bank partnerships and community outreach, sustainability envelops the cooperative with the produce department being an integral component.
Honoring Members
select several storeowners to profile. “These are members in the forefront of sustainability, taking the lead in piloting programs or doing something exceptional,”
says Meleta.
On the following pages, PRODUCE BUSINESS
set out to tell their personal stories of investing in sustainable alternatives based on needs and circumstances within their stores and communities; as well as the role Wake-
With members at varying stages in their
sustainability journeys, PRODUCE BUSINESS
elicited the help of Wakefern executives to fern plays in bringing their goals to fruition.
MAY 2014 • PRODUCE BUSINESS 37