For as long as I can remember the term 'Green Grocer' has been a part of the American vernacular…but what does it really mean? It's not as if the neighborhood grocer is actually 'green' or anything…right??? And the local store I went to in my home town of Las Vegas was more of a stucco Valley Of Fire red than an Olympic Forest green. So what exactly is a Green Grocer? 

Well…I have come to realize that in the days of my youth he was the person who sold 'green' (or fresh) fruits or vegetables and hopefully not 'green' (as in the color)  breads or cheeses. The store itself was usually run by a kindly gentleman or, as was in most cases, by a family…a family with ties to the community which in turn fostered a sense of care and responsibility to provide the best products for their customers.  In this day and age, however, the definition of said grocer takes on a whole new meaning.

Enter Fred Coutts, President and CEO of Greenfresh Market. Fred has taken the concept and brought it into the 21st century. Located in Renton across the street from the Renton Municipal Airport, Greenfresh Market has about it the look and feel of a small town grocery store (one that just happens to have 747's taking off less than a quarter of a mile away). Once inside customers are greeted with the latest and greatest organic and eco-friendly products. To the left are aisles of the best natural foods, beverages and environmentally friendly household and lifestyle products on the market.

It is what is to the right, however, that has generated buzz amongst the customers and what seems to keep them coming back time and again. You see Greenfresh Market buys most of its meats and produce from local vendors within the state of Washington. Why you ask??? To reduce the amount of fossil fuel needed to transport goods and to lessen the footprint created by the carbon emissions of the trucks. But it does not stop there. Greenfresh has installed a 'green clean' cleaning floor that requires nothing more than a damp mop and water to clean up spills all the while remaining antibacterial. If that weren't enough Greenfresh has installed lights that turn themselves off in areas where there is no activity and back on when needed via motion sensors.

"We believe in offering consumers more environmentally conscience choices while doing what we can to ensure the environment is served by buying products locally whenever possible."

In his own way Fred Coutts has retained the traditions of the neighborhood store owner while incorporating the responsibility of being a good eco-citizen not only in product but in practice making him the new breed of "Green" Grocer. If the steady flow of customers is any indication it seems to be a formula that works.

His name is Fred…and he IS Project Green.