Page 2 - Chicago Market Community - Action Plan

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EXECUTIVE

SUMMARY

Local. Sustainable. Connected.

Sustainability is at the core of Chicago Market's vision — literally and figuratively.

This Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) is not intended to preach the importance of social and
environmental impact to an already conscientious organization. Instead, it is focused on action -
identifying ways that Chicago Market, as it transitions into its permanent home, can mitigate risk
and achieve its goals for itself, its owners, and the Uptown community.

Working with Board leadership and the General Manager, the consultant identified goals to help
focus and prioritize SAP recommendations. The proposed strategies seek to recognize Chicago
Market's achievements through third-party certification, maximize in-store resource efficiency, support
sustainability across the supply chain, and create a positive social impact for Uptown and beyond.

Nine recommendations are organized into the four focus areas below to correspond with the SAP
goals. Multiple strategies are offered to help achieve each goal, maximizing flexibility and allowing
Chicago Market to select the most appropriate interventions.

B Corp Certification. B Corp certification is considered a top-tier designation for the most
environmentally and socially responsible organizations willing to operate transparently.
Chicago Market is well-positioned to achieve B Corp status as an owner-cooperative with
a triple-bottom line of people, planet, and prosperity. Full certification is only granted
after a year of operation. As a start-up organization, Chicago Market can apply for a
Pending B Corp status and implement some of the SAP recommendations in the interim
to ensure it meets the required scoring threshold.

In-Store Resource Reduction. To fulfill its mission for a more sustainable food system,
Chicago Market must first ensure its own operations have minimal adverse impacts. There
are significant climate impacts to waste - especially organic material - and Chicago
Market must strive to divert as much food and solid waste from landfills as possible.
Chicago Market should also address equipment selection, cold storage maintenance,
and heat production methods to minimize energy and water use.

Supply Chain Sustainability. The food system is responsible for almost a third of global
carbon emissions (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2021). To address our collective climate
change challenge, Chicago Market must help make the shift toward a more sustainable
food supply chain. By supporting and sourcing from low-impact farmers
and producers, Chicago Market can leverage its buying power to push
the industry toward more regenerative and less wasteful practices.

CHICAGO MARKET SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLAN 2