9 Local Nonprofits to Benefit from New Leaf's Envirotoken Program

Nine local nonprofit organizations have been selected as beneficiaries of New Leaf Community Markets’ Envirotoken program for the next six months. Every time New Leaf customers reuse a shopping bag, they receive from the cashier a token worth 10-cents to direct to one of the beneficiaries.

Customers at each New Leaf store voted on a roster of organizations, and the six with the most votes were selected, as follows: Capitola New Leaf: Grey Bears, Homeless Garden Project, Native Animal Rescue, Planned Parenthood, Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation, and Save Our Shores. Downtown Santa Cruz New Leaf: Food What? Friends of Santa Cruz Parks, Homeless Garden Project, Native Animal Rescue, Planned Parenthood, Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center. Westside New Leaf: Homeless Garden Project, Native Animal Rescue, Planned Parenthood, Santa Cruz Animal Rescue, Save Our Shores, Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center.

New Leaf’s Envirotoken donations make it possible for Native Animal Rescue to receive and care for every injured and orphaned wild animal brought to our door,” said Lisa Rose, board chair of the local nonprofit. “Sometimes the donation was as much as 10% of our operating budget, enough to ensure better care, better food, and better shelter. All of us at Native Animal Rescue are grateful to New Leaf Community Markets for providing a direct way for the community to find out about and support our work.”

A ten-cent per token donation is small, but over time donations add up. Since New Leaf introduced the Envirotoken program in 1993, New Leaf has donated over $700,000 to local groups based on customers reusing bags seven million times. New Leaf was the first on the Central Coast to launch a program to encourage grocery bag reuse; many other area retailers have followed suit.

About New Leaf Community Markets
An organic and natural grocer with four stores along the Central Coast, New Leaf Community Markets has been serving the community for 33 years. New Leaf is committed to offering customers foods and products that have the most beneficial impact on their health and the health of the environment. Helping customers make informed decisions is an integral part of this commitment. A wholly owned subsidiary of New Seasons Market since November 2013, New Leaf Community Markets is the first grocer in California to achieve B Corporation certification, which means that New Leaf uses the power of business to solve social and economic problems. New Leaf’s mission, to nourish and sustain our community, is reflected in the 10 percent of profits given annually to support local nonprofits working to improve the quality of life. Connect at: www.newleaf.com.