River Valley Market

330 N. King St.
Northampton, MA
(413) 584-2665

www.rivervalleymarket.coop

Rochelle Prunty, manager of the newly opened River Valley Market in Northampton, had a clear idea why the co-op was selected as the Valley's Best Green Business. Instead of jumping into a commercial about why the products they sell are the best, she explained her commitment to the members who wanted the business "done right. They wanted a building and business that's sustainable." Before she even uttered "soy" or "organic," Prunty bragged about the 165-panel solar array on the store's roof and how they have been able to reclaim heat off of the refrigeration rack. She explains how the huge windows help light the store naturally, and how local, sustainably harvested lumber and recycled materials were used to build it. River Valley Market recycles over 70 percent of the waste it generates, and the shelves are stocked with local products to lessen the market's carbon footprint: almost half of what is sold here is from the area. On April 30, staff and customers will celebrate its first birthday in the parking lot with food and music.