Superette, one of the legal cannabis stores that opened in April, is setting some ambitious goals to show its commitment to making a positive impact on the community it serves.

It all started this fall, when staff at Superette gathered to discuss how they could give back to the community. Someone suggested the Ottawa Food Bank, and the partnership took off, with 680 non-perishable food items donated in September. In October, 10 turkeys, 10 hams, and 20 pounds of vegetables were dontaed. Plus, the team recently spent an afternoon harvesting fresh produce for the organization at the Ottawa Food Bank’s farm near Stittsville.

Now, the team at Superette is committing to something bigger: a comprehensive plan that tackles both plastic waste and local poverty. For every unit of product packaging brought back to the Wellington West store, the company will donate a non-perishable item to the Ottawa Food Bank. The goal is to donate 5,000 units per month, for a total of 60,000 over 2020.

This plan not only addresses the problem of plastic in the cannabis industry, it also helps ease the strain on the city’s food banks; earlier this week, the Ottawa Food Bank released its annual report, which donated that 39,000 people in Ottawa visit an emergency food bank program every month.

CEO Mimi Lam made the announcement at a breakfast event at the store on Nov. 22.

“At Superette, we strive to be a leader in the cannabis industry by making a tangible, positive impact on the industry and local communities,” said Lam, who also highlighted the success the company has seen in the first year.

Samantha Ingram of the Ottawa Food Bank was on hand to recognize Superette’s contribution.

“It’s truly inspiring to see a new organization come to town and immediately do so well,” said Ingram. “And beyond doing well, they’re doing good, and the Ottawa Food Bank is honoured to be the beneficiary of that good.”

Find the recycling bin for cannabis packaging at Superette, 1306 Wellington St. W.