In ecofriendly circles, there is no hotter topic than sustainability. Thanks to ever-growing environmental concerns, the demand to reduce and reuse waste has never been stronger. But there’s much more to sustainability than simply recycling. At its core, the term refers to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. Or at least that’s how the United Nations defines it. On a company level, however, sustainability requires a commitment to clean practices and renewable initiatives that are as productive for the local community as its own bottom line. It’s in this dual dedication that Adams is setting the standard.
In this Newsletter:
- Sustainability is talk of the town: Reports from the recent NGA conference.
- A greener greenhouse: Poughkeepsie’s sustainable initiatives.
- Too good to toss: How Adams fights food waste.
- Get the bag: Saving consumers money, and possibly the Earth along the way.

Adams hits the National Grocers Association Show
This March, Adams attended the annual National Grocers Association (NGA) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conference is designed to connect those in the grocery industry and keep them updated on the latest trends. For many in attendance, the need for more sustainable practices in the grocery biz was the main takeaway at its 2024 iteration. “Many retailers like IKEA, Zara, and Lululemon come to mind when talking about retail sustainability but I had not heard many talk about the importance in the grocery industry,” says Wendy Troncone, Adams’ Marketing Director, who helped represent Adams at the event.
She adds that it was one presentation in particular given by the Ratio Institute, a non-profit specializing in advancing sustainability with retailers, that really drove the point home. “It makes a lot of sense. Reducing our environmental impact whether it is energy efficiency, biodegradable products, or reducing our carbon footprint is equally important in grocery,” Troncone explains. Of course, Adams is already well on its way to enlisting and promoting useful sustainable practices acknowledging there is more work to do. Adams progress is evidenced by…

Poughkeepsie Creates Greener Pastures
Under the care of Sue and Mark Adams, the Adams greenhouse in Poughkeepsie features cutting-edge energy-saving technology. Its New York Grown and Certified plants are supported by 3,000 square feet of solar panels which augment the energy needed for cultivating a vast garden of over 100,000 plants, vegetables, and herbs. This is along with a double poly-insulated roof, passive cooling, retractable energy curtains, and triple-layer polycarbonate sidewalls, all of which help minimize the facility’s carbon footprint. However, that’s not the sustainability Mark Adams strives for. “To me, the definition of sustainability is producing a product that your customers can afford to buy,” he says. Each plant grown in this seasonal greenhouse enjoys a brief, less than 20-mile journey, to other Adams stores further reducing its energy output and, crucially, cost of production. A diminution that can then be seen in Adams’ prices.

Never Waste Time Wasting Food
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as much as 40 percent of this country’s food supply is wasted. One massive contributing factor is that sellers tend to discard any items that are at all damaged or imperfect. Adams fights this on multiple fronts, led by its cut fruit program. Through this, blemished portions of the fruit that would potentially make it unappealing to buyers are removed before the perfectly edible other bits are cut up, repackaged, and put out on the shelf. If the item is too damaged for that solution, it’ll be placed on a reduced rack and offered at a bargain rate. On these reduced-price shelves, you may also find day-old bread, pastries, and anything else nearing its expiration date that is still very much edible. Other impacted food, such as cracked eggs, are sent to the bakery to be used in the production of additional items rather than tossed in the trash and wasted.
These programs not only reflect a commitment to reducing waste but also an openness to try new ideas. “We’re always trying to find ways that have a decent environmental impact. Not just for us but methods that would benefit the consumer, as well. We’re always keeping our ears open and our nose to the ground to find out what’s new and trendy,” explains Garrett Dyal, Store Manager of the Adams in Wappinger. Beyond in-store programs, Adams regularly donates grub to food pantries and Meals on Wheels. But if you ask Dyal, those efforts to give back to the community are at the heart of the store’s ethos. “It’s a baseline of our culture, being in touch with our community and constantly giving back with regular donation programs. This is just another step of that,” he adds.

Adams Customers Secure the Bag
Speaking of giving back, Adams has been — literally — giving customers free money for years in the name of sustainability. Six years ago, the store began rewarding customers who used reusable bags to shop in the best way possible: with cold hard cash. Specifically, for every reusable bag you use, Adams knocks five cents off of your bill. Since the program’s inception, Adams has given $583,429 back to the community for exercising single-use plastic bags from their regular shopping experience. “It definitely encourages customers to switch over to the reusable bags as opposed to the disposables,” says Greg White, Controller at Adams.
Of course, this is all in response to mounting concerns over single-use plastic bags and the threat they pose to the environment. As plastic is non-biodegradable by nature, once used and discarded, it’ll sit in landfills for hundreds of years. This lingering presence then helps contribute to plastic pollution in oceans and waterways, harming marine life and ecosystems. Not to mention, their production consumes fossil fuels and enhances greenhouse gas emissions, therefore exacerbating climate change. So, for White, tacking over half of a million dollars off of the company’s bottom line is well worth the investment in our community and planet. “It’s an attempt to try and keep a healthy environment, as well as Adams Fairacre Farms and the customer. It’s a win-win-win all around,” he adds.