Environmental Initiatives

Good Food Shouldn’t Cost the Planet

As a locally owned co-op, we treat environmental responsibility as part of doing business — not an afterthought. Here’s how we’re putting that into practice.

City Market with solar panels on the roof and bikes parked outside.

Energy and Climate Change

At City Market, we know that a strong local food system depends on mitigating climate change. Recognizing the energy needs associated with the grocery retail sector, we work hard to reduce our energy use and optimize efficiencies. We’ve implemented the first transcritical CO2 refrigeration system in Vermont, significantly reducing our refrigerant emissions – and that’s just one way we’re addressing our climate impact.

Roll of green produce bags in a grocery store, surrounded by fruit displays.

Waste Management

Three Monarch butterflies perched on pink flowers with buildings in the background.

Natural Resource Management

Bicycles parked in front of a colorful mural featuring a moose.

Bicycle Benefits Discount

City Market is a proud participant in Bicycle Benefits, along with around 20 businesses in the Burlington area! This national program encourages bicycle use through discounts at participating retailers. Customers who purchase a $5 Bicycle Benefits sticker, put it on their helmet, and show the cashier the sticker each time they check out will receive a 5% discount at City Market. You can purchase a Bicycle Benefits sticker at our Customer Service Desk or at any of the participating businesses in our area.

Our Bicycle Benefits

Ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new City Market location with attendees gathered.

Sustainable Expansion

When we expanded to our Flynn Avenue location in 2017, environmental remediation work was central to our project. Our South End store is built on a remediated Brownfield site and remediation work included asbestos abatement, on-site stormwater treatment, and asphalt and concrete as remedial soil barriers.

The store is also the first in Vermont to use a transcritical CO2 refrigeration system, significantly reducing our refrigerant emissions. In addition, the store has solar tubes and uses LED lighting with an intelligent lighting system to reduce energy use. Because of this work, City Market received the 2017 Vermont Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence. We are grateful to our partners at Freeman French Freeman, DEW Construction Corp, VHB, Stone Environmental, Pomerleau Real Estate and many others for supporting this sustainable expansion.

A person leads a tour, wearing an orange hard hat and using a megaphone, with others listening.