Donations
Advocacy
Renewable Energy
Recycling

Our Purpose is to protect and restore the environment. 

 

Here is what you’ve helped us achieve in 2021…

to 65 non-profits that align with Our Purpose.

worth of food to local food banks.

Did you know that MOM’s stores donate unsold food to over 60 different local food banks, soup kitchens, and churches? This program is not only good for our community, but it also cuts down on food waste.

Top groups we donated to in 2021:

  • Capital Area Food Bank
  • Arlington Food Assistance Center
  • Food Not Bombs
  • Community Food Rescue
  • Celestial Manna
  • Nourish Now
  • Compassion Center

Annual Alaffia Eyeglass Drive

Eyeglasses donated

Did you know- an eye exam costs as much as one month’s wage, and a pair of eyeglasses can cost up to four months of wages in Togo, Africa? In partnership with Alaffia, we sent your donated glasses to visually impaired people in this region. A pair of eyeglasses is life-changing for a child struggling in school, the elderly with failing vision, and adults who have never been able to see clearly.

Keeping Electronics out of the Landfill:

Phones are donated to Secure the Call to help COVID patients connect with loved ones!

Phones

Tablets

Phones

Tablets

We Recycled:

Tons of Batteries

Tons of shoes

Tons of Commingled Recycling

Tons of Compost

Tons of Corks

Tons of denim

Tons of Holiday Lights

pairs of eyeglasses

MOM’s Alexandria Purple Bin

Lbs of glass recycled

Glass collected is sent to a Fairfax County facility where it is processed and then recycled into new glass and crushed into sand and gravel, then used locally for public works projects.

MOM's Recycle Center

Oyster Recovery Project

We collected 16,380 shells in 2021– that’s enough to provide a home for 163,800 spat (baby oysters) to grow.

Oyster shells are the best material to raise new oysters and restore oyster reefs. We partner with Oyster Recovery Partnership for year-round Oyster Shell recycling to save this ecologically important by-product from ending up in a landfill.

Learn More 

We Partnered With:

environmental non-profits and environmental groups

Oyster Recovery Project X MOM's Winter Oyster Webinar Series

We partnered with ORP for a free three-part webinar series about our favorite bivalve!

Learn more

View ORP’s 2021 Annual Report

OTA Scholarship

In 2021 we partnered and donated to Organic Trade Association’s Organic For All: Diversity and Entrepreneurship Fund. The focus of this fund is to cultivate a deeper understanding of food justice issues and create new relationships and connections in organic trade.

Bat Conservation International

MOM’s annual “Save The Dandelions” campaign raises awareness of toxic lawn chemicals’ effects on our environment and health. This year’s campaign proceeds went to Bat Conservation International, whose mission is to conserve the world’s bats and their ecosystems.

Dobbs Ferry 5% Groups 

Opening in a new region creates the opportunity to grow our community of people that put the planet first!

We donated 5% of opening month sales to four local groups:

 

5% Watershed Cleanup Day

Local environmental organizations received 5% of MOM’s sales to help support their spring cleanup efforts:

 

5% Watershed Cleanup Day

Local environmental organizations received 5% of MOM’s sales to help support their spring cleanup efforts:

 

We Advocated for:

Maryland

Animal Cosmetics Testing Bill (SB 282/HB0611)
Prohibition on Releasing a Balloon Into the Atmosphere (HB391)
Neonicotinoid Pesticides – Sale and Storage (HB0208/SB0375)
Incineration is Not Recycling (HB0280)

Virginia

Arlington County – Adopts Plastic Bag Tax
City of Alexandria – Adopts Plastic Bag Tax
Fairfax County Adopts Plastic Bag Tax
Ban Single-Use Styrofoam Container (HB1902)
End Animal Testing for Cosmetics (HB2250/SB1379)

New Jersey

Environmental Justice Law (S232)
List Monarch Butterflies as Threatened Species (SR102)

DC

Polystyrene Food Service and Loose Fill Packaging (B23-0191)
Zero Waste Omnibus

MOM’s has been powered by 100% renewable energy since 2005!

We support renewable energy projects by purchasing Wind Power Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to offset ~75% of our company’s electrical usage (the rest is generated through MOM’s solar projects). In 2021, MOM’s purchased 10,000 Wind RECs. The benefit of MOM’s purchasing wind power is equivalent to…

Homes powered for a year

miles driven by electric car

Homes powered for a year

miles driven by electric car

Dobb’s Ferry MOM’s Community Solar Project

When we decided to open our first store in NY, we scoured the region for renewable energy projects to join. MOM’s Dobbs Ferry will be sponsoring a local community solar project in Yonkers, NY, through Sustainable Westchester’s program.

This municipal solar energy initiative will decrease community reliance on dirty energy and help community members save on electricity costs!

Carbon Offsets

We offset our customers’ gas mileage to and from our stores, meaning your drive is carbon neutral!

In 2021 we offset 47,891,084 miles!

Metric tons of CO2 Offset:

Equivalent to:

Environmental Restoration in our stores

bags credits were given each day at MOM's in 2021

total disposable bags avoided by our customers in 2021

Saving Gas & Fighting Climate Change

MOM’s Annual We Love Inflation Campaign

Inflated Tires

Learn More

Community Supported Agriculture

We partnered with 8 small and local organic farms and farmers.

Learn more

Community Supported Agriculture

We partnered with 8 small and local organic farms and farmers.

Learn more

The People Behind MOM’s Purpose

Our Purpose: To Protect And Restore The Environment. 

ER Captains help their store fulfill MOM’s Purpose and see it upheld at each store; this includes educating staff on upcoming initiatives, connecting with local environmental groups, attending educational field trips and meetings, planning volunteer events, advocating for local and statewide policy, and more!

MOM’s Alexandria, VA

Organized a kayak clean-up- removing fifty-five pounds of trash from Four Mile Run stream!

MOM’s Ivy City, D.C.

Helped build a greenhouse at a community garden with a local non-profit.

MOM’s Jessup, MD

Volunteered monthly at Freetown Farm, an ecology center whose mission is to educate the community about organic farming.

Upcycled Food

  • Reduces methane emitted by landfills
  • Conserves energy and resources
  • Rescues nutrients that would otherwise be waste

1/3 of all food produced in the U.S is wasted.

Renewal Mill: Okara Flour
Made from upcycled soy milk production leftovers

Renewal Mill: Oat Milk
Made from upcycled oat milk pulp

Renewal Mill: Brownie Mix
Made from upcycled soy milk production leftovers

Pulp Pantry: Chips
Made from upcycled vegetable juice pulp

Fruu: Lip Balm and Deodorant 
Made from upcycled unloved fruit

Reveal: Prebiotic Beverage
Made from upcycled avocado pits

Cocokind: Sea Moss Exfoliator
Made from upcycled grapes used in wine production

Cocokind: Scrubbing Clay
Made from spent coffee grounds

The Cleanest Ingredient Standards

Our Ingredient Standards are essential to who we are. Since 1987, we have only offered the highest quality organic produce. We take pride in the selection that we offer and even more in what we don’t.

We have banned over 250 ingredients from our products store-wide and take into account animal welfare, the environmental and social impact of products, and more.

And we don’t stop there- we strive to exceed industry standards by reevaluating our Ingredient Standards regularly to ensure that our communities are getting the best products available.

Learn More 

Equal Exchange Avocados:

In 2021, MOM’s customers purchased 673,624 organic Equal Exchange avocados- resulting in $555,980 paid to 91 small scale farmer co-ops in Michoacán, Mexico, and an additional $16,311 paid into a fund for:

 

  • Assistance with farmer medical bills
  • Collaborative reforestation projects
  • Solar panel installation on local child care facilities

Equal Exchange Bananas:

In 2021, MOM’s customers purchased 3,951,120 organic Equal Exchange bananas- resulting in $568,295 paid to 1,208 small scale co-op farmers and an additional $44,889 paid into a fund for:

 

  • Pandemic relief and prevention
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Hygiene stations and healthcare support

Equal Exchange Bananas:

In 2021, MOM’s customers purchased 3,951,120 organic Equal Exchange bananas- resulting in $568,295 paid to 1,208 small scale co-op farmers and an additional $44,889 paid into a fund for:

 

  • Pandemic relief and prevention
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Hygiene stations and healthcare support

Vendor Sustainability Shoutouts

We’re all in this together. Here’s how our vendors are helping us fulfill Our Purpose: to protect and restore the environment.

Vendor Sustainability Shoutouts

We’re all in this together. Here’s how our vendors are helping us fulfill Our Purpose: to protect and restore the environment.