Roche Bros. Green Initiative Turns 5

Roche Bros.’ annual “Go Green” recyclable bag program, now in its fifth year, gives shoppers a 5-cent rebate whenever they use recyclable grocery bags, but instead of pocketing the rebate, customers can donate it to Boston Children’s Hospital.

“Those nickels add up,” noted Janet O’Connor, director of community relations at Wellesley, Mass.-based Roche Bros. “Our Go Green for Children’s Program has raised over $180,000 through bag rebate donations alone. Our customers are as dedicated as we are to giving back to our local community, and especially to the children.”

Together with the annual NSTAR Walk for Children’s sponsorship and cookbook program partnership with Boston Children’s, Roche Bros.’ community efforts have raised almost $300,000 for the hospital.

During just this past year, from April 2012 to March 30, 2013, Go Green raised more than $50,000. Roche Bros.’ Millis store was the top fundraiser of all store locations, with local shoppers giving nearly $7,000. Executives of the independent grocery chain presented this year’s check donation to Boston Children’s at an April 23 ceremony.

The Walk for Children’s event will take place on Sunday, June 9.

Roche Bros. employs more than 4,000 people at 18 stores in greater Boston, Metro-West and southern Massachusetts.