Sustainability

BOULDER, Colo. -- Wild Oats Natural Marketplace here is literally throwing caution to the wind by committing to buy wind power for 10 percent of its energy purchases for its Pacific Northwest stores, according to the Portland Business Journal.

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Responding to a rapidly changing food industry and seeking to leverage their $626 million-a-year retail sales clout by speaking with one voice, 94 independent natural food co-ops with 111 retail locations among them coast-to-coast have voted to restructure the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) as a direct-membership cooperative.

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - Today Shaw's Supermarkets is hosting an Earth Day event for associates at its Store Support Center here in anticipation of the annual observance of Earth Day (Thursday, April 22).

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Voters in Inglewood, Calif., have rejected a ballot measure that would have cleared the way for a colossal Wal-Mart in this Los Angeles suburb, according to an Associated Press report.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Calpine Corp. today said its retail energy service provider subsidiary, Calpine PowerAmerica here, has entered into a three-year power sales agreement with Safeway, Inc. to provide approximately 110 megawatts to Safeway facilities throughout California.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has once again made the top of a list, this time as the leading corporation for multicultural business opportunities in 2004.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. and SAN DIEGO, Calif. - NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit company specializing in public health and safety risk management solutions, has acquired Quality Assurance International, Inc., which offers organic certification services.

TUCSON, Ariz. - Wild Oats Natural Marketplace here has begun offering biodegradable containers in its deli sections that resemble regular clear plastic made from petroleum products, but the tubs are really made from cornstarch that's said to break down in seven weeks if composted, the Arizona Daily Star reports..