Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Chickpeace Planet Forward
June 17, 2020 - 4:00 PM
Kelowna’s second zero-waste food store had a soft opening last week aiming to reduce plastic waste amid the global pandemic.
Chickpeace Planet Forward had a quiet launch on Saturday, June 13, and things have been going well, owner Allisha Heidt said.
“We’ve had an overwhelming amount of community support,” she said, adding customers seem excited to have an opportunity to reduce their waste, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It seems like we’re all going backwards in terms of sustainability,” she said, pointing to the amount of waste, like disposable masks and paper cups, produced during the pandemic.
Working closely with Interior Health, Chickpeace is offering returnable containers available by deposit which will be sanitized upon return, and free compostable paper bags for the first month of opening.
READ MORE: Here’s a good starting point if you’re trying to get to zero waste
The launch during the pandemic went well as most places were closed in March, so Heidt was able to renovate the space without having to worry about neighbours or construction delays.
The store features everything from beauty products, to cleaning supplies to bulk products and also has a rentable community kitchen.
The bulk food section and shampoo and conditioner bars has been popular so far, Heidt said.
READ MORE: Low-waste concept store arrives in Penticton
Located at 103-1851 Kirschner Rd., operating hours for June are from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and hours may change over the next few weeks.
Kelowna’s first zero waste food store, Farm Bound Zero Waste opened last year.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2020