Organic Insights Magazine - Spring 2023

8 / Organic Insights / Spring 2023

/ Continued fromprevious page

Innovative Green Hub development places sustainability at its core

With the prevalence of greenwashing claims, being honest and transparent with customers is critically important, according to Brian. “We plan to develop a public dashboard that will measure our progress against Plan targets, to provide transparency and drive progressive improvement.” He says that the reaction from customers has been positive to the Plan and initiatives run in store.

Adelaide’s Finest Supermarkets were part of a successful consortium who have been appointed to develop a prominent, disused parcel of land in the inner south- west of Adelaide (Forestville) as an innovative, food-oriented, Green Hub. The development will feature mixed residential and commercial development to a minimum 5 Star Green Star rating,

“It’s what customers expect of us, it’s giving people what they want, and it’s been really well received.”

HEALTHY EATING WITH INTEGRITY

with centrepiece Locale store, cafes and eateries; a Green Urban School, where students will learn about sustainable food production, a rooftop urban farm, and market square. An allocation of 30% for open and green space is included in the development. Brian is part of the environmentally sustainable design team supporting the development and is looking at ways to integrate sustainability programs within the community precinct, including identifying potential employment opportunities that support a circular economy. “Forestville will be a culmination of all of the great work that has been done at Adelaide’s Finest Supermarkets so far, and the opportunity to take it to a new level,” says Brian.

HOUSE OF HEALTH COLLECTIVE’S GROWTH TRANSFORMATION CONTINUES TO DRIVE THE FUTURE OF ETHICAL RETAILING, WITH THE OPENING OF A NEW SUBURBAN STORE IN ADELAIDE. House of Health Collective was borne of two Adelaide Central Market

institutions – with the merger of Australia’s longest standing certified organic retailer, Central Organic, and wholefoods retailer, House of Health, creating a holistic and unique customer shopping experience.

Further Information Find out more about Adelaide’s Finest Supermarket’s Sustainability Plan.

The Norwood store opened in December 2022 and continues the legacy of the market presence, with an expanded footprint offering more products, a café with ready-made offerings, and a community wellness space. The store offers an increased range of organic, plant based and gluten free options (some 5,000 product lines), with additional wellness and lifestyle products. The fresh fruit and vegetable produce stocked is 100% certified organic. Co-owner Chester Frank says the issue of greenwashing is “huge” and becoming more and more prevalent with the “majors swamping into the ranges that we have. Terms like natural, eco-friendly, compostable – it’s confusing.”

“The difference in a major is that it is the product that carries the message; for us, it’s the education and story behind the product,” he says. “We are big on the provenance and the origin of food, and organic is one of the best regulated, as we have full pedigree and traceability through certification.” “As part of our induction process, we train all new staff on what certification means, the difference between organic and non-organic.