New Seasons Market announced today that it has become the first retail grocer to be certified as a B Corporation, joining a community of more than 750 mission-based, triple-bottom-line companies around the world. B Corp certification is an independent, third-party assessment of a company’s business practices. It recognizes businesses that place as much value on taking care of their staff, the community and the environment as they do on growing and operating their business. It is to sustainable business as fair trade certification is to coffee, or LEED is to buildings.

As a B Corp, New Seasons Market has committed to adhering to and constantly improving business operations that benefit people and the planet – just as New Seasons Market has always done and always will do.

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“B Corp is unique in that it recognizes truly sustainable companies; those that have a higher purpose for business beyond just profit,” said Wendy Collie, President and CEO of New Seasons Market. “We see achieving B Corp certification as an incredible recognition of our commitment to being a socially, environmentally and financially responsible company. Since day one, New Seasons Market has placed as much value on taking care of employees, our communities and our environment as growing our business. To have an external organization acknowledge and verify that our business practices reflect true dedication to staff, vendors, communities, environment, accountability and transparency is not only wonderful news, but it sets our mission and our values in stone not just today, but into the future.”

To earn B Corp certification, New Seasons Market completed a comprehensive and rigorous assessment of its practices, governance, environmental and community impacts, staff benefits and culture. New Seasons’ assessment score can be viewed online at bcorporation.net.

For New Seasons Market, B Corp certification provides a framework within which the company can measure its success at living up to its mission and values, and maintain its commitment to continuously improve. As the first grocer to earn B Corp certification, New Seasons Market hopes to set an example for its peers in the grocery industry, as well as inspire others in the local and national business community.

“The levels of complexity in the grocery industry are very high,” said Collie. “We offer more than 40,000 different products. We work with thousands of vendors, contribute to hundreds of non-profit organizations, welcome millions of customers every year, and divert 19 of the 20 tons of waste we manage at each store every day out of the landfill. For a business with our level of intricacy to achieve this recognition is simply remarkable. It’s a testament to our staff’s commitment to using the power of business for good.”

About New Seasons Market
Founded in 2000, New Seasons Market is proud to be homegrown and locally owned, operating 12 stores in the Portland-Vancouver area. With 2,400 employees, New Seasons is one of the region’s largest private employers, a leader in the grocery industry and a progressive workplace. Recognized as one of the greenest local companies by Oregon Business Magazine, New Seasons Market was recently verified to be a Zero Waste company, diverting 92 percent of its waste away from area landfills and into something others can use. New Seasons also gives 10 percent of its after-tax profits back to the community. In 2012, the company partnered with nearly 900 local nonprofits committed to addressing hunger in the community, public education and conservation. Connect with New Seasons Market at facebook.com/NewSeasonsMarket and visit InItForGood.newseasonsmarket.com for more information on New Seasons Market’s sustainability efforts.

New Seasons Market

New Seasons Market

Founded in 2000, New Seasons Market is proud to be homegrown and locally owned, currently operating 12 stores in the Portland-Vancouver area, with three more opening soon. Since the day we welcomed the first customer through our doors, our goal was to build community, champion the regional food economy, and be sustainable to our core by keeping our footprint small and gentle on the earth. With more than 2,400 employees, New Seasons is one of Oregon's largest private employers. Dedicated to creating a progressive workplace, and giving back to the community. Recognized as one of the greenest local companies by Oregon Business Magazine, New Seasons Market was recently verified to be a Zero Waste company, diverting 92 percent of its waste away from area landfills.

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