Town & Country Markets has been recognized in the Puget Sound Business Journal’s annual Environmental and Sustainability Awards, honored for making impact through environmental leadership, innovation and stewardship in the region.
The family-owned grocer operates six family-owned markets across the greater Seattle region. Its award-winning practices include an 80 percent waste diversion rate through recycling, composting, packaging alternatives and food donations.
Additional efforts include sourcing partnerships with local producers and growers and the adoption of a carbon dioxide refrigeration system to reduce emissions.
Since opening its first store on Bainbridge Island in 1957, the independent grocer has approached sustainability as a central tenet of its core values – supporting local producers, protecting natural resources and reducing environmental impact.
“We are honored to be acknowledged for work that is deeply embedded in who we are as a company,” said Ryan Ritter, CEO of Town & Country Markets.
“For us, sustainability is an integrated initiative that influences how we source products, support local food systems, invest in our stores, and create opportunities for our teams and communities.”
Town & Country Markets has maintained a leadership role dedicated to sustainability since 2008. The position oversees initiatives across waste reduction, packaging, responsible sourcing, energy efficiency and carbon footprint reduction.
“At Town & Country, sustainability is about making practical, long-term decisions that support both our communities and the environment with systems that create a lasting impact,” said Marina Heppenstall, the company’s director of sustainability.
The grocer has built a reputation for prioritizing regional and responsibly sourced products with emphasis on seafood sustainability. The company follows Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch recommendations or sources from fisheries and farms with third-party sustainability certifications for its seafood departments, restaurants and prepared foods program.
Electrification efforts include the addition of electric grocery delivery in 2022 and electric vehicle charging stations and an electric car-sharing program in 2024.
Town & Country Markets helped develop Washington state’s fishmonger apprenticeship program, embedding seafood sustainability education into the curriculum while creating career pathways for employees.
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