Stores passed the assessment for re-designation in three years after the first designation in 2013

Stores recognized for facilitating green consumption by selling eco-friendly products, curbing greenhouse gases and energy consumption, introducing electric vehicles, etc.

ORGA has the total of 11 direct stores designated as Green Stores including the five selected in 2015

Six direct stores of ORGA Whole Foods re-designated as Green Stores by the Korean Ministry of Environment

ORGA Whole Foods (CEO Nam, Jei-Ahn) is an affiliate of Pulmuone with the brand slogan “LOHAS Fresh Market.” The company announced on September 23, 2016 that six of its directly managed stores (Bangi, Bangbae, Banpo, Mokdong, Dogok, and Apgujeong stores) have been re-designated as Green Stores by the Korean Ministry of Environment.

Since the Ministry of Environment implemented the Green Store Designation policy in 2011, ORGA Whole Foods has taken part in the pilot project, and six of ORGA stores that were designated as Green Stores in 2013 went through re-designation assessment and passed. Thus, ORGA earned the achievement of having 11 direct stores including five that became Green Stores in 2015 (Seohyeon, Yongsan, Yatap, Juyeop, and Jeongja stores) designated as Green Stores.

The Environment Ministry first introduced the policy in 2011 to set stores that contribute to spreading “green consumption” of consumers, which implies selling green products, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and energy consumption. The stores remain as Green Stores for three years, and afterward, they have to undergo re-designation assessment, evaluating operation performance for the past three years. The ministry has reinforced several standards since it first introduced the policy to further invigorate environmentally friendly consumption, and sales of green products.

The six ORGA stores that have been renewed as Green Stores have made meaningful contribution to spreading green consumption culture as Green Stores for the past three years. They sell over 5,000 eco-friendly products that received not only environment-friendly certification, but also eco-labels and good recycled certification marks. In particular, the stores allocated an area for Green Zone, where only eco-labelled products are sold, to highlight the importance of environment protection, and encourage purchase of eco-friendly products. Also, there have been efforts to boost the distribution of green products such as having LOHAS festivals, and special events for low-carbon agricultural products.

Furthermore, the stores operate in a greener manner as well. Their lightings were replaced with energy-efficient LEDs, and monthly power consumption is monitored to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As a case in point, the Bangi store adopted electric vehicles for delivery, practicing green delivery free of emissions.

ORGA also minimized environment pollution from wastes. ORGA stores use plastic trays made with corn starch, and their shopping bags made with sugar cane extracts, which are natural materials, have been verified by the Ministry of Environment to have the effect of lowering carbon emissions and toxicity. Thus, they successfully acquired an eco-label.

Efforts of ORGA stores do not stop here as they carry out diverse green programs to help consumers build eco-friendly lifestyle habits. ORGA rolls out campaigns encouraging the use of shopping baskets, and LOHAS lectures for customers to experience environmentally friendly farming sites, and learn about green lifestyle.

Mr. Nam, Jei-Ahn, the CEO of ORGA Whole Foods, mentioned, “Being able to run the Green Stores in continuation is truly meaningful in that we can mitigate environmental impact and at the same time, strengthen the awareness on LOHAS values as we face consumers.” He also stated that, “As a LOHAS Fresh Market, we will continue to implement eco-friendly management that considers both offering safe food that add to the health of consumers and sustainability.”