New Port Richey Independent Grocer Launches New Reusable Tote Incentive Program

Wright’s Natural Market Teams Up with Veterans Alternative to Reduce Use of Plastic Bags in Downtown NPR

Wright’s Natural Market has launched a new initiative to help customers remember to bring their reusable shopping totes and help reduce the use of plastic bags in downtown New Port Richey. The new bag donation program will also benefit local charities so customers will be helping the environment and our community with one small action. For every reusable shopping bag customers use, Wright’s will donate .05 to a community charity. July through September donations will be going to Veterans Alternative (veteransalternative.org), an organization designed to offer effective alternative therapies and community engagement for veterans. 

Changing behavior takes time, but the Wright family is hopeful that the generous nature of our community will encourage shoppers to remember to grab their bags for two good causes. “Our long-term goal is to discontinue using plastic shopping bags altogether.” says store owner, Jeff Wright. “Unfortunately plant-based plastics and recycled paper bags are still more costly. We are mindful of how higher operating costs affect grocery prices, so we are making an effort to strike a balance between environmental stewardship and keeping our prices low for our customers.” 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, in the United States alone, we use over 380 billion plastic bags and wraps yearly, requiring 12 million barrels of oil to create. Turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and eat them. The bags do not pass through the turtles’ digestive system and block their intestines. They die of starvation. Studies on dead turtles have found that more than 50 percent have plastic in their stomachs. Similarly, seabirds, fish and other marine critters also mistake pieces of plastic for food, or become entangled in plastic, leading to exhaustion, starvation and eventual death. (Source: https://blog.epa.gov/tag/plastic-bags)

While this is a global issue, locally our community has the opportunity to come together in taking this relatively easy step toward reducing our contribution to this devastating situation and protecting our delicate local ecosystems. 

Wright’s is located at 5800 Main Street  in downtown New Port Richey. Business hours are Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sundays, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. For store events, information, and updates please visit www.FaceBook.com/wrightsnaturalmarket , @WrightsNaturalMarket , or call 727.848.5140. 

ABOUT VETERANS ALTERNATIVE

Veterans Alternative was established in 2014.  It was started as a thought, driven by the experiences Brian Anderson, CEO and Founder, went through coming home from War and transitioning out of the Military. He carried five Brothers’ deaths with him everywhere he went. Brian was consumed with memories of war, exhausted and broken, and prayed for a change. After being introduced to the life-saving benefits of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and the concept of Post-Traumatic Growth; a perspective shift from the more common post-traumatic stress, Brian realized that it was time to start a nonprofit.

On Veterans Day, November 11, 2014 Veterans Alternative celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony. A partnership was formed with USF College of Nursing as a research site for Dr. Kevin Kip’s latest study on ART In just over a month Alison Voisin, Veterans Alternative’ Clinical Director, provided 5 sessions of ART to 25 Combat Veterans. The center opened on Memorial Day, May 25, 2015.

In the spring of 2016 Veterans Alternative partnered with the H.O.O.A.H. foundation to provide services to Army Rangers. The Accelerated Wellness Program (AWP) was developed after all initial participants indicated the one week program saved their lives. The State of Florida began funding the AWP for 84 Veterans a year beginning in July 2016. Currently, AWPs are held 2-3 times a month. The Veterans Alternative program evaluation shows a 46% reduction in post-traumatic stress, 61% in depression and 56% in anxiety.

Veterans Alternative is strategically planning to open a second site in Fayetteville, NC and looks to provide services in other areas with large Veteran and Military populations.

Veterans Alternative is located at 1750 Arcadia Road, Holiday, FL 34690. For more information or schedule of workshops, please call (727) 939-8387, email info@veteransalternative.org, or visit http://veteransalternative.org. 

ABOUT WRIGHT’S NATURAL MARKET

Wright’s Natural Market began 25 years ago as a supplement store by the name of Wright’s Nutrients. In the years since then, the organization has grown to meet the needs of their customers by adding a full organic market, including organic and locally grown produce, in addition to the wide selection of health supplements. A cafe has been added at the new location that features organic, locally roasted espresso & coffee, smoothies, light fare, and grab-n-go options that are gluten friendly and dairy free. Vegan, vegetarian, and omnivore options available. 

Owners Jeff and Kathy Wright are both Certified Nutritionists and Supplement Specialists. There is also a Master Herbalist on staff and all employees participate in ongoing training and product certification.

Wright’s is a full service natural market that strives to educate and empower consumers to take control of their health through one-on-one consultations, product and nutrition information, and workshops.

The store is located at 5800 Main Street in downtown New Port Richey. Business hours are Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sundays, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information please call 727.848.5140, or visit wrightsnaturalmarket.com or www.FaceBook.com/wrightsnaturalmarket.