Food Waste
Jon Henry General Store is excited and honored to join the United States Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions. U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions are businesses and organizations that have made a public commitment to reduce food loss and waste in their own operations in the United States by 50 percent by the year 2030. This is a joint project between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Jon Henry General Store opened in 2018 as a corner market in Downtown New Market with a focus towards selling local Virginian products. Since opening, JHGS has engaged in numerous sustainability projects like upgrading all lighting and plumbing to be more efficient, increasing structural insulation, purchasing renewable energy credits, curating a plastic free drink cooler, and lowering carbon foot prints by buying from local sources.
It makes perfect sense for Jon Henry General Store to join the United States Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champion initiative from the USDA and EPA. Lowering food waste is not just an environmental concern but also a general business concern to streamline sourcing. Jon Henry General Store might be the smallest store in the Champions list but it remains committed to showing the reliance and community focus that small businesses provide.
The Jon Henry General Store will continue to partner with three local food rescue organizations to donate wholesome nutritious food to those experiencing food insecurity. The store and its associated farm will continue to reduce food scraps through compost collection, on-farm composting efforts, and feed supplements. Local farm livestock will receive damaged produce to supplement as feed. The store is upgrading its existing computer system to better manage inventory with products nearing "best by" dates. An 'ugly produce table' will continue as a successful strategy to offer discounted misshapen produce to customers via $1 half bushel 'Spot Boxes.'
Jon Henry General Store thanks its regional friends at Sustainability Matters for helping organize, strategize, and upgrade its sustainability commitments.
