2013 Report on Sustainability

by Melissa Elkins, Sustainability Program Coordinator

Keeping it Local 15% of produce was purchased from watcom county farmers at Community Food Co-Op

Since opening our doors in 1970, the Community Food Co-op has followed a triple-bottom line business philosophy that places equal emphasis on economic vitality, social responsibility, and environmental responsibility.

animal stewardship at community food co-op meat department sold 87% free-range chicken 11% grass-fed beef, 29% free-range pork, 39% cage free eggs, 53% free-range, 52% organic eggs

In 2010, the Co-op started tracking its performance specifically as it relates to sustainability. In 2012, Melissa Elkins was hired as the Co-op’s Sustainability Program Coordinator. In 2013, the Co-op joined the Sustainable Food Trade Association (SFTA).

Along with a handful of our fellow food co-ops, we are the only grocers in Washington state that are SFTA members.

Reducing Waste 88% of community food co-op waste was composted or recycled

In April 2014, the Co-op filed its first full annual sustainability report to the SFTA—50 pages of detailed information reporting on the 2013 calendar year. The Co-op will continue to file reports annually to track our sustainability performance
over time.

Shown here are snippets from the condensed version of the report, which is available in our stores.

Paper Use at Community Food Co-Op 49% reduction in purchase of paper grocery bags, 79% of packaging can be recycled or composted, 54% of deli, bakery, and meat packaging is accepted by FoodPlus

“We’ve been collecting a vast amount of information and corralling it into a massive spreadsheet, so we could track our progress. Writing the first sustainability report based on that info was a huge undertaking, but it was extremely gratifying to see that the Co-op really is making great strides in our sustainability efforts!”

—Melissa Elkins, Sustainability Program Coordinator