Together for our planet, together for our community, together for our members. We are better together.
We can all do our part to reduce our impact on the planet. Calgary Co-op takes steps to reduce waste and increase energy efficiency.
All six fragrances are made with Calgary’s recycled carbon dioxide (CO2) using a clean carbon capture program. Since launching this product one year ago, we’ve captured over 4 tonnes of carbon dioxide, and repurposed it into 2000 bars of soap! Removing 4 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere is equivalent to planting 200 trees! This unique product assortment demonstrates our dedication to the planet and offers our members a high-quality, clean ingredient, natural product that is both better for you and for the environment.
Plug in and power up at one of three our EV charging stations, located at our Crowfoot, Sage Hill and West Springs stores. We’re excited to provide this service and we’re just getting started. Watch for more EV charging stations to pop up at our other locations.
Our Sage Hill food store is small and mighty at only 30,000 square feet, using less energy but offering the same conveniences as other stores. Sage Hill along with many others has LED lighting throughout that uses 80% less energy than traditional lighting. We’ve upgraded all our refrigeration systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and we give used equipment a new life by repurposing it in our stores.
Calgary Co-op is on the only grocery store in Western Canada to make use of high efficiency cogeneration systems CHP (combined heat and power) to provide energy as efficiently as possible
Our stores need a lot of energy for lights, refrigeration and heat so we look for every opportunity to be smarter about our energy consumption, like cogeneration. Calgary Co-op is the only grocery store in Western Canada to make use of high efficiency cogeneration CHP (combined heat and power) to provide that energy as efficiently as possible. Currently, six of our stores have CHP systems.. These free standing cogen units are amazing:
1) Low emission natural gas powers a large engine that generates electricity for the store (sometimes enough to power the entire shopping mall).
2) Waste heat generated by the natural gas engine is captured and used to boil water that is in turn used to heat the store (that’s the co-generation part).
Cogen has real impact:
Lower costs – We can cut utility costs by 30% to 40%.
More efficient – Power from the grid is around 40% efficient, while our co-gen power is over 85% efficient. That means we not only use less energy, we can get far more power for less energy.
Lower emissions – The efficient use of natural gas makes co-gen for more environmentally friendly.
Cutting 700 tonnes of green house gases every year
That’s pretty smart tech! We have co-gen units in operation in six stores. Co-generating our own power is just one of the ways we are shrinking our carbon footprint.
At Calgary Co-op our purpose is to enrich our member communities wellbeing through positive actions. Through our environmental, social and governance initiatives, our goal is to protect our environment, foster our shared passion to support those who most need it, and sustain our co-operative for the long term. Community is at the heart of everything we do. Whether it’s helping address food insecurity, helping local groups or fundraising for important causes, Calgary Co-op leaves no one behind.
As part of our commitment to the communities we serve, we have created space in a number of our food stores that can be used free of charge by community groups. Access to registered, licensed charities, non-profit groups, youth and adult sports teams and more is available.
Contact your local Calgary Co-op to discuss your requirements and book a room today!
Calgary Co-op’s Fresh Food Rescue program sends fresh foods to the Calgary Food Bank as part of their Fresh Tote Food Rescue, as well as to other community Food Banks. We’re able to redirect perfectly consumable foods to the food bank, rather than the compost bin, by planning ahead. All Calgary Co-op food stores donate fresh produce, meat and fish, dairy and eggs, bakery, deli and prepared meals, dry groceries and frozen items to the food banks for collection, and same-day distribution through emergency food hampers. The result is an effective program that is transforming lives in our community and helping to reduce waste. In 2022, we donated over one million pounds of fresh food.
Calgary Co-op is honoured to have received the ‘In Cahoots’ award, presented by Food Banks Alberta for our Fresh Food Rescue Program in partnership with the Calgary Food Bank!
Calgary Co-op’s charitable foundation supports our most vulnerable including: seniors, children, the homeless and families at risk. We also provide members an opportunity to provide a donation when they are shopping at our stores.
In 2022 we donated $2.8 million back into the community through food drive programs, partnering with other agencies or directly through the Calgary Co-op Community Foundation. In 2023 we’ll continue to look out for our community and the people within it with a goal of donating $3.1 million.
Through our Calgary Co-op Community Foundation, we’re committed to improving the lives of real Calgarians by focusing on food security. By supporting local food banks, we strive to provide families in need with easy access to affordable and nutritious food. And for a healthier future, we’re committed to educating the community about nutrition, and investing in programs that provide sustainable food solutions for the next generation.
To further support our community, we help local organizations raise funds by supporting charitable events.
Proud to partner with Calgary Transit, Calgary Food Bank and local radio station XL 103 and AMP Radio to host one of the largest single day food drives in Calgary. The 26th annual “Stuff A Bus” event took place at 23 of our food stores and we collected over $215,000 worth of food and cash donations. This annual event raises not only food donations and money for the Food Bank, but also awareness around the kinds of products needed on a weekly basis.
Meals on Wheels has been active in the Calgary area since 1964, providing nutritious and affordable meals to Calgarians in need. Meals on Wheels delivers “more than a meal” to their clients in many special ways throughout the year, and we were proud to be partnered with such a great cause through our “Time for Turkeys” event.
The Mustard Seed has been meeting the needs of Calgary’s most vulnerable since 1974. Providing shelter, food, clothing and acceptance for men and women experiencing poverty, the Mustard Seed also helps to find sustainable housing and employment and is a well-known community advocate in Calgary. For the “Turkey Ham Jam Food Drive” we were proud to partner with the Mustard Seed to help collect turkeys and hams to put in Christmas food hampers for individuals and families in need.
Thanks to our members, $54,000 was raised during our second annual “Fuel Good Day”, where 5¢ from every litre of fuel sold on September 18 was donated to local food banks in Calgary, Airdrie, High River, Okotoks and Strathmore.
One of our most popular events is the Charity Golf Classic Tournament. The day features a buffet breakfast, 18-hole golf tournament with food and beverage stations, a silent auction, whisky tasting, dinner and charity cheque presentation. Started in 1993, this event has raised over $5 million, in support of deserving charities and not-for-profit organizations in the Calgary area.