The BFC has formed an Environment Committee!

Would you like to join our Green Team?

The Bethlehem Food Co-Op is a diverse community encouraging physical, social, and economic health by providing healthful, affordable food; emphasizing local, sustainable, humane and natural food systems; and offering unique educational opportunities to the entire community.

Since its beginnings in 2011, our food co-op has articulated its support for sustainable, environmentally-friendly practices. The store we will bring to 250 E. Broad St. affords us many opportunities to embrace sustainable materials, operations and practices.

Now it’s time to start getting specific! We are recruiting members and friends who are interested in joining our ‘Green Team’.

The first priority for this group will be to create a Sustainability Checklist (wish list) for the co-op. We’ll discuss building and infrastructure (indoor and outdoor); water usage; waste reduction and removal; and energy efficiency measures.

Examples could include what kind of building materials to use, installing an EV charging station (above, Willy St. Co-op in Madison, WI), avoiding use of plastics, and bird-friendly exterior lighting.

A second phase will include articulating suggestions on purchasing, programs, incentives and partnerships. Purchasing options could include paper choices instead of Styrofoam, and compostable produce bags. We could consider programs like offering returnable bottles for bulk purchases, and incentives for shoppers to bring refillable containers and reusable bags, or maybe riding their bike (we’ll have racks!). And we’ll explore partnerships with other like-minded organizations and businesses in our community.

We will present our compiled lists to the Board of Directors for their consideration.

The Bethlehem Food Co-op has an opportunity to highlight our grocery store as a role model in the city, for our expanded use of sustainable practices.

Your ideas are welcome! If you are interested in participating, please contact us at info@bethlehemfood.coop.

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