Page 13 - Chicago Market Community - Action Plan

KEY STAKEHOLDERS & CLIENT REQUIREMENTS

One company in particular - Down at the Farms - is an important strategic partner for Chicago Market. Down
at the Farms is a farmer networking and distribution service that can play a meaningful role in realizing
Chicago Market's sustainability vision. Down at the Farms operates a "food hub" that collects produce from
local regenerative farms and creates an optimized distribution model, saving time and costs for smaller
farming operations. They will be the primary fresh produce supplier for Chicago Market.

Partner Organizations

Since its inception, Chicago Market, as a value-driven cooperative, has been building relationships with
like-minded community-based organizations in Uptown and across the City. While these organizations
may not directly influence the Market's environmental practices, they will be formative in creating a more
socially sustainable and just food system for Chicago. Additionally, Chicago Market embraces Principle 6
- Cooperation among cooperatives. Relationships with Chicago's other food and worker cooperatives and
involvement with National Co+op Grocers (NCG) provide useful learning and support tools for the Market.

CLIENT REQUIREMENTS

The overarching intent for the SAP is to enhance and document Chicago Market’s commitment to
sustainability and equity across all aspects of the organization.

Sustainability is a core value of Chicago Market. While no budget is explicitly allocated for sustainability
initiatives, the organization is committed to integrating sustainability within projected operating and capital
budgets to the greatest extent possible. As such, recommendations should be focused on value creation
(financial or otherwise) and supporting Chicago Market's principles and purchasing values.

Based on discussions with key stakeholders and a review of Chicago Market's core values, the following
areas of interest were identified for exploration in the SAP:

• Research best practices and innovative approaches to sustainability among peer food
cooperatives.

• Help Chicago Market comply with the City's Sustainable Development Policy, which
requires 50 points achieved through a "menu" of strategies.

• Develop an action plan for sustainable on-site operations to minimize resource
consumption, including food waste, packaging waste, water, and energy use.

• Highlight approaches that will help further differentiate Chicago Market from nearby
chain grocers, including transparency in the supply chain.

• Building on Chicago Market's established Purchasing Values, identify opportunities to
promote sustainable farming practices through strategic partnerships and supplier
relationships.

• Assess relevant ESG risks through a 3rd party assessment framework.
• Determine the feasibility of achieving USGBC LEED or WELL certification for the Gerber
Building interior space.

CHICAGO MARKET SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN 13