Folks won’t be able to miss the tent set-up outside our main entrance; we’ll have the grill fired up handing out free veggie dogs and veggie burgers for those that stop by from NOON – 2PM. Local vendors and program ambassadors. Limited edition t-shirts. It’s going to be a blast, and we all need a little fun, right?!
Earth Day Birthday History
Abundance Cooperative Market first came into being in 1998, when a group of employees from the Food Store at the Genesee Co-op on Monroe Avenue (which was not a co-op) decided to set up Rochester’s first retail cooperative grocery store. These Rochesterians, our founders, were tireless advocates for the benefits a food co-op would bring to their community.
Working together towards their goal of opening the first co-op in Rochester, the Abundance Buyers’ Club found an old car maintenance facility on 62 Marshall Street that looked like the perfect place to open a retail store.
Abundance’s first shareholders were committed to making the store work. They did countless tasks–from carpentry and electrical fitting to getting the word out in the Rochester community about the new store–to make that first day of business possible. The Abundance Grand Opening was held on Earth Day, 2001, twenty years ago. Then Rochester Mayor Bill Johnson and County Legislator Bill Benet spoke to everyone who came to celebrate the momentous occasion.
We were growing out of our Marshall Street location, and a new store front was needed. After many years of searching for a new location a long term lease was signed at 571 South Ave. The construction and opening of the new store was a long and stressful process but the reward was well worth it. Our new South Avenue store Grand Opening was celebrated on Earth Day 2017.
Earth Day 2021
EARTHDAY.ORG’s theme for Earth Day 2021 is Restore Our Earth™, which focuses on natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems. In this way, the theme rejects the notion that mitigation or adaptation are the only ways to address climate change. It is up to each and every one of us to Restore Our Earth not just because we care about the natural world, but because we live on it. We all need a healthy Earth to support our jobs, livelihoods, health & survival, and happiness. A healthy planet is not an option — it is a necessity. (link)
For this year’s Earth Day birthday celebration, the co-op is focusing on three main categories: Food Sustainability, Food Waste, and Food Security.
What to Expect
The main outdoor event will begin at 10AM on Saturday, April 24th, and end at 2PM. Our grill will be fired up from noon-2PM and we will be handing out free veggie hots and veggie burgers, as well as grilled zucchini and portobello mushrooms (vegetables kindly donated by Four Seasons Distributors).
We are very happy to have Double Up Food Bucks New York, as well as Impact Earth set up at the event speaking on their wonderful programs. We will also have a table set up talking about the different programs available here at the co-op.
Local vendors will be set up as well with samples, things to buy, and a friendly face to speak about their company.
Time to get out, shake the dust off, say hi to fellow members in your community and help to celebrate TWENTY years of us being a co-op. We are very excited to see each and everyone of you!
PSSST… Did we mention the limited edition tees yet, because they are FIRE!
Vendors & Program Ambassadors
Double Up Food Bucks New York
Double Up Food Bucks is a national model for healthy food incentive programs that provides those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits with a $1-to-$1 match that encourages the purchase of healthy, locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Impact Earth Rochester
Since 2014 Impact Earth has been collecting food scraps for the greater Rochester and Finger Lakes Region as the one stop shop for zero waste services and products. Composting greatly reduces greenhouse gases, curbs the need for landfills, and replenishes our soils!
Four Seasons
Fruit and Vegetables for the event, very kindly donated by Four Seasons Distributors.
GoodHealthy by Agbotic (Sackets Harbor, NY)
The future of farming is rooted in healthy soil. Regenerative. Local. Organic. An elegant union of Ecology + Technology to shape the leading SmartFarm platform. At Agbotic, plants grow in wholesome soil the way nature intended. With responsible technology so farms can profit and communities everywhere can participate. It’s an old (and new) way of doing things. Healthier for people and the planet.
Kouzini (Webster, NY)
Kouzini Greek organic, unfiltered extra virgin olive oil and vinegars. Family owned and operated. Bringing our traditions to you. “Kouzini,” or little kitchen, is inspired by the 100% pure, true Greek extra virgin olive oils that are the staple of Greek cooking and culture for 5,000 years. Our olive oil is cold pressed within hours of harvest from family owned Greek groves only and bottled in dark green glass for maximum freshness.
Mark & Amy's Homemade Pickles (Rochester, NY)
Amy’s own recipe, these are our simple and delicious traditional pickles. Eat on the side or add some to the top of your favorite sandwich. Mark’s pickles add a bit of jalapeño spice for our heat-lovers out there, the pickle juice for these bad boys are perfect for Bloody Marys!
Small World Food (Rochester NY)
Great ingredients, fresh from local organic farms, transformed into amazing foods by local artisans. Since 2007, we have been providing delicious & nourishing food to our community while supporting local organic farmers. Small World is a cooperatively run business where each person involved, including several local farmers, is paid based on what their inputs produce for the company rather than a flat amount per hour of work. Your support directly impacts everyone that works with us. We each do different things here at Small World, but we all love growing, making, and eating great food!
