Following the launch of the City’s new Zero Waste Partnership Program, the Zero Waste and Litter Cabinet is sitting down with new Partners to discuss their goals and achievements in the Program.
Our latest conversation was with Jared Cannon, founder of Simply Good Jars. Simply Good Jars provides fast, healthy and delicious meals via their Simply Smart Fridges. Their mission is to make healthy choices easier, while fostering a strong and critical connection between local growers, consumers, communities, and those in need. Simply Good Jars goes “beyond Zero Waste” by providing meals served in 100% reusable packaging and by employing inventory management that minimizes or eliminates food spoilage.
Simply Good Jars was the Partnership Program’s first Zero Waste Gold Partner and has a 100% waste diversion rate. To achieve Gold tier Partnership, Partners must accomplish 9/10 Zero Waste Actions and 90% waste diversion. We had the opportunity to discuss the company’s Zero Waste philosophy and ask Jared how he’s growing Simply Good Jars’ presence in Philly’s neighborhoods.
What motivated you to join the Partnership Program?
Simply Good Jars is a Philly-founded company and we’re always looking for ways to engage with the City and the community. The Zero Waste Partnership Program mirrors our own goals to go “beyond” Zero Waste by integrating the philosophy throughout our entire business model and creating a product that results in literally no waste. Joining the Partnership was an obvious step for us, and we signed up as soon as we learned about it. It’s a great way to keep Zero Waste at the forefront of our conversations about food and community in Philadelphia and allows us to share our experience with a wider audience.
What are your goals as a new Partner?
As a new Partner, we have both internal and external goals. Internally, we want to keep finding ways to offer healthy food that is both fast and accessible where it is needed most. Now that we’re connected with the Partnership, we’re excited to see how we can extend our reach to new neighborhoods in Philadelphia in collaboration with the City and community partners. Externally, the Partnership Program is a great opportunity for us to inspire others and show the benefits of Zero Waste, particularly for other small and independent companies and food service providers. We’ve achieved a lot, but we still make strides every day to improve our own practices and share the positive impacts of Zero Waste with the whole city. We want the community to know that Zero Waste is realistic and achievable in Philadelphia.
What are some Zero Waste Actions you’ve implemented or are working towards?
Simply Good Jars has always been deeply tied to the Philly community and we’re looking into ways to bring our meals to a wider audience – particularly to Philadelphians who live in food deserts or lack access to healthy meals on a regular basis. Simply Smart Fridges recently made their way into some Jefferson Health facilities, which is already connecting us with a wider audience and allowing us to play a role in introducing healthy, Zero Waste meal options there. We’re now looking for opportunities to install our Smart Fridges at corner stores and bodegas that accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or ‘food stamps’) to make our meals accessible and affordable for all. Since the beginning, for every Jar returned, we’ve donated a meal to Philadelphians in need; this is a great step, however, expanding access to our Jars for those in need furthers our mission of creating a strong connection between communities and their food.
The Zero Waste Partnership Program is a new way for the City to collaborate with local businesses and organizations on achieving Zero Waste in Philadelphia. Partners take the extra step to report on their Zero Waste practices, including several Zero Waste Action Items and monthly waste diversion rates. Not only does this program encourage Zero Waste practices throughout the city, but it encourages knowledge sharing between the City and Zero Waste Partners: the Partnership will give the City access to additional waste diversion data and give Partners the opportunity to share their best practices with the City and influence future goals. Plus, Partners will earn special incentives for implementing Zero Waste practices, such as eligibility for the Sustainable Business Tax Credit, and exclusive marketing tools from the City.
Partners are added to an online directory of all Zero Waste Partners across Philadelphia. Recognition of Partners should not be construed to mean that the City of Philadelphia favors Partner businesses or organizations in any way or recommends patronage or tenancy at these properties over non-partner properties. Recognition, whether in the form of a directory, blog, or social media post by the City of Philadelphia, serves to promote the Zero Waste Partnership Program, not individual Partners.