Community Involvement

From the day we first opened our doors 15 years ago, we were committed to supporting our community. And as Quality Greens has grown, so has our commitment.

We are thrilled to be a major sponsor of the CIBC Run for the Cure for over 10 years; every fall we support participants with a vast array of complimentary snacks after the event. In 2009, more than 170,000 Canadians supported local runs raising $26.5 million. In 2010, Kelowna raised over 311,000; the largest amount raised in Kelowna to date!

Again this past August we supported participants of the 28th annual Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon, back for our second year to provide nutritional food at the finish line. Held in Kelowna, this event draws athletes of all calibers. We were pleased to sponsor the food and beverages for the over 1800 athletes and 800 community volunteers.

Over the past 15 years we have supported local environmental initiatives and this year we have become an official sponsor of the City of Vernon's Sustainability Program - Earth. It's my turf. With events throughout the year, each little act we engage in will help make a world of difference. We are thrilled to participate in Earth Day celebrations, Bike to Work Week, Environmental Week, Car Free Day and Rivers Day. Quality Greens Vernon was recently honored with the 2010 'Seed Award' for Sustainable Business - awarded for ongoing contributions to environmental and social sustainability efforts.

We are committed to supporting our community - people and furry friends alike. This year we were regional sponsors for the Paws for a Cause walk throughout the Okanagan Valley helping animals in need in our communities. And thanks to sponsors like ourselves the BC SPCA is confident that they will reach their goal of $1 million dollars! The BC SPCA is a not-for-profit reliant on support from the community. Proceeds from this event will support the BC SPCA and allow them to continue to care for and protect animals in need.

People ask, what happens to the un sellable fruits and vegetables in your stores? We assure you that nothing goes to waste! Each day boxes are picked up or delivered to local farmers to help feed their animals. Items that can be consumed are taken to our local Food Banks to distribute to the folks who come through their doors.

In the back room at each of our locations you'll see pictures of our foster children from all over the world. Each of our locations sponsors a child through World Vision and each year we receive their progress reports and new pictures of the little boys and girls that we are providing assistance to from afar.

And keeping it within our family, every year Quality Greens awards a $500 bursary through the Central Okanagan Bursary Society to one of our deserving employees helping them reach towards their future goals. In 2009 the award was proudly given to Colton Vogelaar who has been employed with our West Kelowna store since the Spring of 2008.

Every month we generously support other fundraising initiatives throughout the Okanagan Valley and take great satisfaction out of the little gestures that help our community. It's our way of giving back...

Earth. It's in good hands

Reusable Bag Design Contest

Congratulations to our Reusable Bag Design Contest Winners!

We were overwhelmed with the response from all our young customers. Thank you to everyone who entered.

We were really inspired by the talent and understanding of our environment these kids displayed, it was very hard to pick the winners!

Congratulations to the following entrants, click on each link to see the winning designs:

Great job!

Down to Earth for Earth Day

At Quality Greens we believe that a healthy environment is important for the well being of our community. Last year alone over 9 billion plastic bags were given out by retail outlets and the majority of them were never recycled. That's a lot of plastic sitting in our landfills. We want to help lead the clean up! Quality Greens is working to eliminate the use of all plastic shopping bags in all four of our Okanagan locations. As an alternate to plastic, we offer customers reusable bags available for purchase and cardboard boxes free of charge.

Please join us in this commitment to our community!

Frequently Asked Questions about plastic and reusable bags:

What about cross contamination of meat and other food?

We will continue to use small plastic bags for packaging of meats and other deli items as well as the small plastic produce bags. These bags are an important safe guard against cross-contamination.

Aren't reusable bags a health hazard?

No, not if they are washed and replaced when necessary. Again, we will continue to use small plastic bags for meats, deli and produce items to ensure the health and well being of our customers.

Aren't degradable plastic bags good enough?

Unfortunately no. For the most part degradable plastic bags are not eligible for recycling programs and will only degrade under specific conditions of heat and light, conditions not often found in landfills.

What if I forget my reusable bags at home?

No problem. We have cardboard boxes available free of charge in each location for your convenience and a limited supply of plastic bags will be available upon request at a cost of $.05/bag.

More information about why it's important to be plastic bag free!

http://www.greenerfootprints.com/
http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/battleofthebag/video.html
http://www.plasticbagfree.com/facts.php
http://www.poconorecord.com/_flash/soundslides/20080505plasticbags/soundslider.swf
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/06/10/top-un-environmental-official-ban-plastic-bags/

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