SeeingGreen ™

There’s something about a locally owned and operated grocery that appeals to the hearts and stomachs of the [Seeing] Green leaning people of Portlandia. Although the history behind New Seasons is worthy of a page or two in a business school textbook (staff jump ship after a corporate buyout of a local nautral food chain to start new store to compete with said old store), it’s what New Seasons does best that should be biggest lesson to the pinstripe world.

New Seasons stated “commitment to its community, to promoting sustainable agriculture and to maintaining a progressive workplace,” sure sounds good in theory. But how does it work in practice? Seems to be standing the rigors of the business world quite nicely. Perhaps it is the price tags that indicate the origin of its produce (mostly Pacific Northwest) or that even people who work 12 hours a week receive health benefits (almost unheard of) that sets New Seasons apart. Or maybe it is that New Seasons’ flagship store opened in a previously underserved and racially mixed part of town that shows an actual commitment to community. Or could it be that New Seasons’ success is rooted in its customer service and tagline “the friendliest store in town” that harkens back to an age where you could actually speak to a live person who is pleasant and willing to help you. Any way you look at it, with its six bustling neighborhood stores and four more on the way, New Seasons is living proof that there is green in being green.

Check New Seasons’ website
for locations and hours.
Tip: Go on the weekends for free mega samples of all sorts of good eats - from chips and chocolate to curry and crackers, you won’t leave hungry.