EPA Recognizes Shop-Rite of Roxborough as #1 Grocer with Food Recovery Challenge Award on America Recycles Day

EPA Press Release:

EPA Recognizes Shop-Rite of Roxborough as #1 Grocer with Food Recovery Challenge Award on America Recycles Day

PHILADELPHIA -- (Nov. 15, 2013) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s national Sustainable Materials Management Program recognized Shop-Rite of Roxborough as part of the agency's Food Recovery Challenge. The store, part of the Brown Family Shop-Rite group, placed first nationally in the FRC data-driven award category for grocers. Based on 2012 reporting data, Shop-Rite of Roxborough achieved the highest percent increase in food waste prevention and recycling comparing 2012 data to 2011 in the FRC’s grocers sector.

"By committing to donate food and to compost food waste, Shoprite of Roxborough is serving as a significant environmental steward" said Shawn M. Garvin, EPA's Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator. "As a result of their efforts, Shop-Rite of Roxborough diverted food waste while providing nutritious meals to members of the local community in need. Food not suitable for consumption was recycled into a nutrient-rich soil supplement which will nourish crops and landscaping, thereby reducing the use of fertilizers, pesticides and water."

More than 36 million tons of food waste was generated in 2011, 96 percent of which was thrown away into landfills and incinerators. Food in landfills decomposes rapidly and generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Conversely one-in-six Americans are in need of food, not knowing where their next meal will come from.

“I am proud of our achievements, not only in reducing our waste through our food donations, but how this practice assists our local communities,” states David Deets, Director of Store Development and Sustainability. “Supermarkets are very large facilities that run 24/7, which can take a toll on the environment,” said Jeff Brown, President & CEO of Brown’s Super Stores.  “We empower our employees to critically examine how we can reduce supermarkets’ carbon footprint and work toward a brighter, more sustainable future.”

The Food Recovery Challenge encourages grocers and organizations to donate and divert as much of their excess food as possible. Organizations that join EPA's challenge find that they can save money on disposal costs while helping to feed families in need and protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information on the Food Recovery Challenge, go to: www.epa.gov/foodrecovery challenge