Community Involvement

From the day we first opened our doors 14 years ago, we were committed to supporting our community. And as Quality Greens has grown, so has our commitment.

We are thrilled to be in a position 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. We look forward to seeing you at this year's event on October 3, 2010.

This August we will be supporting participants of the 28th annual Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon as we are back for our second year to provide nutritional food at the finish line. Held in Kelowna, this event draws athletes of all calibers. And with more than 1600 participants and 700 community volunteers in 2009, we are pleased to add our support on August 22 and 23, 2010.

Over the past 14 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 the upcoming Earth Day celebration, Bike to Work Week, Environmental Week, Car Free Day and Rivers Day.

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.

We take boxes of fruit and vegetables to our local Food Banks to distribute to the folks who come through their doors. When we cut the greens off the tops of your carrots, we give them and other food to the Kelowna SPCA and local farmers to feed their animals.

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 foster child through World Vision.

Earth. It's in good hands

Reusable Bag Design Contest

For the 40th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22, 2010), Quality Greens wants to see the Earth through your eyes. Show the Okanagan how Down to Earth you are by designing your own reusable bag and supporting Quality Greens commitment to eliminating the use of plastic bags.

The contest is open to children aged 5-13 and runs from April 22 to July 31. Simply bring in your completed bag design to one of our Quality Greens Farm Market locations across the Okanagan and receive a $2 in-store coupon. All submitted designs will be displayed in-store. One winner will be selected from each age group (5-7, 8-10 and 11-13). The winning designs will be posted on the Quality Greens website and two winners will receive a $25 gift certificate to Quality Greens. The grand prize winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Quality Greens and may see their design used as a reusable bag available to Quality Greens customers later this year.

Look in-store and online for the winners to be announced this August.

View/Download the Contest form View/Download the Contest form

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 million 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/