New Partnership: Rockford Art Deli

We are excited to share that Jarrod Hennis, owner of Rockford Art Deli, has chosen us as his 1% for the Planet partner for 2022.

Jarrod has always been a fan of the outdoors and enjoying nature. As his business grew, he realized that he could start to give back more and help educate his customers and the community on how to help the environment. Jarrod says, “We didn’t want to wait for a perfect time in the future to take action, so we decided to use our sales to impact the environment locally by partnering with organizations who are doing extraordinary things.”

Jarrod and his hiking partner Pepper

Almost everything about the Rockford Art Deli business has environmental intention behind it- from the supplies used in the shop to trying to only buy from vendors and suppliers that show how and where products are made. Jarrod is also a founder of Allmade Apparel, an ethically sourced and environmentally friendly shirt company, and about 80% of Rockford Art Deli shirts are Allmade. Jarrod is always on the hunt for products to sell in the shop that are made from recycled materials.

The Rockford Art Deli has been printing shirts for our summer camps for years. Jarrod first visited Angelic Organics Learning Center in the summer of 2021 where he fell in love with our mission and our spaces. Jarrod took the opportunity to sponsor our Farm Dinner, which sealed the deal for him. He says, “What a magical place that more people should know about and experience.”

Jarrod brought his team to our garden for staff bonding

The Rockford Art Deli’s donation will support our youth education programs. This is important to Jarrod because, “Youth is the future. Most adults are already set in their ways. We have the chance to make a massive change by educating young people on how to eat healthily, enjoy being outside, and use their hands to make a living. The mental health benefits of getting outdoors and putting your hands in the soil are next-level therapy!” Jarrod hopes that our partnership will help his customers learn about the opportunities we have to offer.

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We are so grateful for eco-minded business leaders like Jarrod who are investing in our community. To learn more about Jarrod’s story of starting the Rockford Art Deli, visit their website.