Lehigh Valley Sustainable Business Guide
Sifting through businesses to try and find ones that have truly sustainable practices can be difficult. Over the last few years of my sustainable living journey, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite, truly sustainable businesses in the Lehigh Valley.
I just can’t gatekeep these local gems any longer, and Plastic Free July feels like a great time to share our LV Sustainable Small Biz Guide. From restaurants to retail, these businesses all have one thing in common: they’re doing great things for our community and our environment.
Food
I love good food. I am always trying out new recipes and love exploring new restaurants. Bonus points are earned for locally sourced ingredients!
Bolete is our go-to for a celebration or special occasion dinner. Their menu is innovative and constantly changing to reflect what is in season locally. They partner with many of our favorite local farms including Primordia, Salvaterra Gardens, and Scholls Orchards. Dining at Bolete is truly an experience, and their farm-to-table values make them one of our top choices in the Lehigh Valley.
Green Vida Co single handedly kept me fed while our shop was located in downtown Easton! If you’re low on time and want food that’s fast, but great for you, Green Vida is it. All of their food is made with love and transparency, and I always feel great about fueling my body with Green Vida. I love their juices and immunity shots, which are packaged in glass bottles that you are able to return for a discount on your next order. I love that they moved away from plastic in the juicing industry, and shifted to a circular system for their bottles. They also practice sustainability by composting and feeding food scraps to local chickens!
Switchback Pizza makes my favorite pizza in the Lehigh Valley! They also prioritize supporting our PA farmers and using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Seasonal produce inspires their specials and let me tell you, they are always phenomenal. During peak season, over 75% of their ingredients are sourced locally. They even make some of their cheese in house!
Grocery
Sustainable food shopping can feel daunting at big box stores. Here’s where to find your pantry staples and more without the plastic packaging!
Both Nature’s Way Market in Easton and Green Earth Marketplace in Emmaus are locally owned small businesses providing high quality sustainable grocery and pantry staples.
Both shops have a great selection of dry goods in bulk that you can bring your own container to refill. I love refilling my spices and coffee beans at Nature’s Way! Nature’s Way also has a great selection of local produce, meat, and dairy.
If you want the best produce, you have to hit one of our local farmers markets. My two favorites are the Easton Farmers Market and Saucon Valley Farmers Market. I love knowing where my food is coming from, and getting to meet the farmers that grew my food! A lot of the vendors at these markets also offer CSA’s - which are a great way to stay stocked on local fruits and veg all summer long!
If you eat meat, I recommend Allentown Farmers Market for the freshest and most local options.
Clothing
If you are looking to refresh your wardrobe without submitting to fast fashion, I recommend shopping second hand! I love The Attic in Bethlehem for a curated collection of pre-loved goods. I have always been able to find dresses and bags for events there in a pinch, and always feel good about giving a piece a new life! I recently purchased the cutest pair of vintage corduroy shorts from Improv Goods, a stand in Belleville Market! Belleville has tons of vintage + second hand vendors selling curated collections. I always leave with a new piece to love!
Home
If you’re looking for new pieces to furnish your home, I again recommend taking a trip to Belleville! Back on the west side of the Valley, you can visit Weil Antiques or Cottage Crafters for unique antiques and pre-loved wares!
Personal Care/Cleaning
Looking for bath and body or home cleaning products without the plastic? Well, coincidentally you’re in the right place! We have a selection of over 40 natural home + body products in bulk for you to BYO containers and fill up! We also carry zero-waste products such as bamboo dish brushes, reusable dish cloths, and shampoo bars.
While the Lehigh Valley has come a long way in terms of sustainability, we still have more work to do. If you love a sustainable business in the valley that we missed, leave them in the comments! Don’t forget to let us know if you try one of our recommendations!