Ann Shultz Presented With Innovator Award for Sustainability Efforts
Ann Shultz was awarded Marion Sustainable Business Network’s Innovator Award at Sustainability Summit in Salem.
HUBBARD, ORE. 24 OCTOBER, 2024 — Le Petit Bistro Owner Ann Shultz was presented with the Innovator Award at Marion County’s Sustainability Summit last month. The award recognizes inspiring financial and entrepreneurial performances through meaningful sustainability initiatives.
To minimize waste, the Bistro launched a reusable to-go container program for both food and drink upon opening in 2021.
Le Petit’s reusable program consists of customers opting in by paying a small one-time deposit to take their food or drink in a reusable container. They can choose to bring back their reusable container on future visits and continue to take their food and drink in them, preventing disposable cups and boxes from going to the landfill.
Marion Sustainable Business Network is a free environmental assistance program offered to businesses in Marion County. The network offers businesses environmental assessments, opportunities to apply for grant funds to use on sustainable projects, and a group of likeminded businesses to network with.
The Bistro has used grant funds from the Marion Sustainable Business Network to continue to bolster the reusables program and increase awareness by promoting it to the community. This year, the Bistro partnered with Woodburn’s IZO PR & Marketing to establish a campaign specifically targeted to the Latino market. IZO is a multicultural marketing agency specializing in creative campaigns that resonate with Latino audiences.
“Our involvement with the Marion Sustainable Business Network has been invaluable to us as a small start-up business,” said Shultz. “It’s allowed us to stay true to our dedication and commitment to preserving the environment while still keeping costs contained. We’ve also enjoyed the opportunity to network with other small businesses with similar values.”
In addition to its own sustainability efforts, Le Petit has also been thoughtful about sourcing from sustainable partners like Caravan Coffee in Newberg, Oregon, and Lady-Lane Farms in Mulino, Oregon. Caravan sources their coffee beans from all over the world making sure they meet strict social, environmental, and traceability requirements. Lady Lane Farm is a small, traditional, sustainable dairy that prides itself on its efforts to be environmentally friendly by packaging their milk in reusable glass bottles while having the highest regard for the well-being of the livestock.
Learn more about the Le Petit Bistro and its sustainability program on their website at www.lp-bistro.com. Le Petit Bistro is located at 3490 3rd Street in Hubbard and is open Tuesday through Friday from 7 am to 3 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 3 pm. You can reach them at 503-982-3195 or online at www.lp-bistro.com and on Facebook and Instagram.
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