Wesley's Wholesale: Making A Difference in Our Community

These days, consumers hold companies to high standards. We want to know that a business is building something more than simply revenues. Respect for the environment, philanthropy, ethical labor practices, and volunteering are some of the factors we consider when assessing how mindful a corporation is of the community.

In fact, corporate social responsibility (CSR) represents the policies, practices and initiatives a company subscribes to in order to govern itself with integrity and transparency and leave a positive imprint on social and environmental well-being.

In Lebanon, one such company has taken it upon itself to make a real difference in the country, and in doing so, it has earned my heartfelt trust. Family-owned and operated, Wesley’s Wholesale isn’t merely focused on food essentials (though happily for us, they do a darn good job at it!). Wesley’s has undertaken a variety of community-based initiatives that are all about channeling profit to benefit people and planet.

Here’s how.

The team at Wesley's Wholesale Hazmieh (photo source: Facebook)

Cardboard Recycling

It’s no secret that in the grocery business, nearly everything comes shipped in cardboard boxes. Instead of tossing them into growing piles of garbage, Wesley’s has reached out to Solicar (Société Libanaise de Carton), a Lebanese cardboard recycling facility featured in Ziad Abichaker’s documentary “Zero Waste Lebanon.” Solicar revives used cardboard so that boxes enjoy a second life. And some have even been repurposed into corporate business cards for Wesley’s staff – talk about full circle!

Used cardboard recycled into business cards

The idea is that Wesley’s is taking responsibility for controlling its net impact on the environment, cognizant of the fact that a business, regardless of its size, wields a large carbon footprint. Any step taken, whether green energy usage or ecofriendly office policies, can only translate to positive good for both company and society as a whole.

Food Donations

Another byproduct of the grocery business is excess, that is, excess inventory that doesn’t reach a consumer before its posted expiration date. While hurtful to a store’s bottom line, it can further imply undesirable waste. To mitigate such foregone surplus, Wesley’s is teaming up with Foodblessed, a local relief initiative run by a group of volunteers committed to fighting hunger in Lebanon (watch the embedded video below). Recovered food is diverted for use in underprivileged communities.

And to get the entire community in on the noble cause, Wesley’s will be inviting customers to add a small amount to their receipts if they wish to help out. Each donation can help defray part of the costs of the contributed food items, and do-gooders will gain satisfaction knowing that they share in the role of hunger hero. Wesley’s is launching this incredible endeavor today, October 16, to coincide with World Food Day.

Photo source: foodblessed.org

Two other CSR projects are works in progress which will hopefully be realized before end of year.

Wesley’s Local

The first is dubbed Wesley’s Local, and it’s all about making shelf space for small-time artisans, craftspeople and creatives sourced from our own communities and whose products would otherwise never see the light of day. Know someone who makes a mean reb el 7ar (hot pepper paste)? How about a grandmamma whose fig jam puts all others to shame? 

A full-fledged application process will soon be published by Wesley’s to curate these local artisans and help spotlight the fruits of their labor. In the meantime, feel free to shoot an email here or send a Facebook message to Wesley's Wholesale for more information.

Preserving Sea Life

Also on the agenda is grappling with dwindling populations of sea life encountered in the Mediterranean Sea as a result of, among other things, shipping. Newsroom Nomad reports that 30% of the world’s shipping traffic occurs in the Mediterranean – that’s around 220,000 vessels crossing the sea every year. Consequently, whales are often hit by ships, and the growing noise pollution compromises the ability of cetaceans to navigate, communicate and detect prey.

Wesley’s certainly isn’t the sole shipper importing products via the sea, but that’s the nature of the business, and the guilt factor is present. Figuring out how to address this environmental tragedy is high on the to-do list, and alternatives are being explored.

Engaging in socially responsible programs is truly a win-win, and it’s admirable that Wesley’s Wholesale is doing its part to tackle problems in our society.

So remember, next time you’re checking out at one of Wesley’s stores, you too are invited to get in on the action and give back! Isn’t that the true meaning of community, after all?

All of us are invited to team up with Wesley's and Foodblessed to help fight hunger in Lebanon

Wesley's Wholesale

Hazmieh

Blvd. Camille Chamoun

Antoine Gharios Center

01-289 555

Jnah

01-834 411

Jal el Dib

04-714 094

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Beirutista is Brand Ambassador at Wesley's Wholesale. What exactly does that mean? Well, if you liked this post, you can look forward to similar ones every month or so. I'll be blogging about a variety of exciting new projects Wesley's has underway, in addition to sneak peeks and product leaks! Expect cool new product giveaways from time to time, and if you're a real Wesley's obsessive like I am, I'll gladly hook you up with 10% off your next visit. Just shoot me a message at any one of my contact coordinates here.