The Grocery Stewardship Certification (GSC) expanded beyond its pilot stage recently with the addition of new stores in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

 

The GSC is the nation’s only grocery sustainability certification program and recognizes stores for reducing energy consumption, water use, food waste and other related measures. The point based certification lasts for two years.

 

A pilot version of the project was launched in late 2012 with Maine-based Hannaford Supermarkets. So far, 37 Hannaford stores in five states have been certified.

 

“The grocery sector increasingly recognizes the importance of sustainability and they’re excited that Manomet has developed a tool to make it a reality,” said GSC Program Manager Peter Cooke. “There is a lot of interest and a lot of momentum and we’re excited to expand the program.”

 

In Maine, the program has recently added the Rising Tide Community Market in Damariscotta, and Lois’ Natural Marketplace in Scarborough. In New Hampshire, GSC staff certified the Monadnock Food Co-op in Keene late last month.

 

A Whole Foods Market in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was also certified this summer as part of a pilot for that company’s New England region.

 

To learn more about the GSC or to find a store near you visit www.grocerycert.org.

 

– Dave McGlinchey