River Valley Co-op (RVC), a consumer-owned cooperative, operates a line of grocery stores with a strong commitment to clean energy, sustainability, and community well-being. Rooted in its mission to share a love for both community and the Earth, RVC integrates environmentally responsible practices into its daily operations, helping to build a more resilient and equitable future. Support from Mercy Partnership Fund investee Sunwealth recently helped RVC reduce its environmental impact and lower its costs, allowing the co-op to reinvest the savings in the community and advance its mission and climate goals.
Sunwealth drives climate and economic justice through investments in solar plus storage energy projects that reduce carbon emissions, lower energy costs, and create jobs in historically underinvested communities. In collaboration with partners, Sunwealth helped RVC install a solar rooftop and carport at its Easthampton, Massachusetts, location to reduce its carbon footprint and decrease its demand and reliance on the energy grid during peak hours. The installation aligns with RVC’s broader Climate Justice Initiative, which promotes environmental stewardship while generating long-term financial savings. By lowering RVC’s operational energy costs, the cooperative can reinvest the savings back into the community through local programs that foster economic empowerment, health, and sustainability. With support from organizations such as Mercy Partnership Fund, Sunwealth continues to invest in organizations such as RVC that model how local enterprises can drive meaningful change.
Sunwealth is one of more than 70 organizations around the world that has received a Mercy Partnership Fund loan to support its work. Read more about Mercy Partnership Fund, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.