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Well, it’s 2025, and it’s time for a change!
Tampa Bay Markets is committed to creating a positive change toward sustainability in the communities we serve in Tampa Bay. We are proud to announce the launch of our Going Green initiative for 2025 and beyond.
To do this, and with the help of the University of Florida Extension Service, the University of South Florida, and Renuable, we have designed TBM’s Going Green Vendor Program to help our vendors transition to Green Vendor practices, transition from the use of single-use plastics & styrofoam in the markets we operate and help educate market-goers on best practices to reduce waste.
Phase 1 Initiative: is to ban the use of the following items. Please make sure to adhere to this guideline when preparing for your market days ahead:
Single-use plastic shopping bags
Styrofoam food containers
Disposable plastic straws
Here’s the Breakdown:
No More Plastic Bags Please.
We are asking that all vendors join this initiative by eliminating the use of regular plastic bags at their booth during market hours at any TBM Market location.
To help get this started, TBM has been providing all participating vendors a stack of biodegradable bags to use for shoppers at each of our market locations since May, 2025. We also have a stock of large reusable tote bags at select market locations. Be on the lookout for these!
Vendors who provide lunch items or ready-to-eat drinks
No more ONE USE PLASTICS PLEASE:
This affects vendors who are in the “food rows” of markets and who are selling items that are eaten right away and not for take-home. We are requesting that you change your cups, straws, styrofoam, plastic to-go containers, and lids to Paper or Biodegradable Plastic.
**Vendors who sell Packaged Foods for take-home use are not affected at this time.
This includes packaged baked goods, dips, sauces, spice blends, dried goods, etc.
We realize this change will take time, and we are committed to this process. If you do not have the replacement for one-use plastics right away, don’t panic! We understand that this is a process, and we are allowing our vendors time to jump on board with this new program.
Market Managers will be taking notes as to what lunch/drink vendors have made changes and who has not, so we can work together to Go Green!
We will keep you updated as we evolve this program into the Fall of 2025.
Thank you all for your patience and cooperation with this process.
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