Cub Food hopes to spread environmental awareness with opening of ‘green’ grocery store

MINNEAPOLIS Cub Food is now operating the nation’s first “green” grocery store in St. Paul, the company said. The store is certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and will save about $6,500 in energy costs per year.

To construct the store, builders used recycled materials and energy-efficient lights and fixtures. The store also has 44 solar-powered skylights and the parking lot is equipped with LED lights which have a lifetime of about 40 years.

Additionally, the outdoor landscaping will be irrigated using a system designed to conserve water and landscapers will plant drought-resistant plants around the store, Cub Food said.