How Kashew Champions Sustainability - Environmentally and Socially

At Kashew, sustainability is more than a value; it’s embedded in everything we do. From our packaging to our operations, we consciously minimize our environmental footprint while maximizing social impact.

For example, we’ve reimagined packaging to avoid plastic entirely. Instead, we use paper and glass, and we encourage customers to return glass jars and bottles by offering incentives. Our vacuum-sealed packaging is made from 100% cassava starch, a biodegradable and eco-friendly alternative.

In our cheese lab, any plastic that enters our system is recycled through partnerships with organizations that give it a second life. At our delis, we compost food waste to enrich the soil and take a 360-degree approach to minimizing food waste. Leftover bread becomes croutons, surplus vegetables are transformed into sauces or chutneys, and tomatoes are dried for future use. Even byproducts from the cheese-making process, such as leftover curds, are turned into yogurt or ricotta, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

This holistic approach allows us to maximize the potential of every ingredient while promoting environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

How We Source Ingredients at Kashew

Our commitment to sustainability starts with our sourcing process. We prioritize local, organic, and ethically sourced ingredients to reduce our environmental impact and support community farmers.For instance, we source all our cashews, vegetables, and bread from trusted suppliers in Vietnam. By keeping our supply chain local, we reduce transportation emissions, ensure fresher ingredients, and strengthen the local economy.When it comes to quality, we strive to use organic produce whenever possible, ensuring that most of our fruits and vegetables—and 100% of our nuts—are grown without harmful pesticides or chemical fertilizers. For select ingredients like olive oil and balsamic vinegar, we source internationally, but only when high-quality, sustainable local alternatives aren’t available.By maintaining these standards, we create healthier, environmentally-friendly products while staying true to our mission of sustainability.

We also seek out organic produce because we are committed to avoiding the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in our products. While it’s challenging to find every ingredient organically, we make sure that the majority of our fruits and vegetables, and 100% of our nuts, are organically grown. In some cases, such as for olive oil or balsamic vinegar, we do source from abroad, but only when absolutely necessary. By focusing on local, organic sourcing, we aim to create healthier products while reducing our environmental footprint.

How a Plant-Based Diet Reduces Your Carbon Footprint

Adopting a plant-based diet is one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to lower your carbon footprint. Compared to meat and dairy, plant-based foods require significantly less land, water, and energy to produce.

Studies show that a vegan diet can reduce an individual’s carbon footprint by up to 90% compared to a traditional meat-based diet. Even partially transitioning to plant-based eating, such as adopting it for two-thirds of your meals, can cut your emissions by around 60%.

Additionally, plant waste can be composted to create nutrient-rich soil, which supports a sustainable cycle of food production. Whether it’s growing herbs at home or reducing reliance on resource-intensive foods, small changes add up to a greener planet.

Behind the Scenes at Kashew

Why You Only See Glass Jars and Bottles at Kashew Deli

At Kashew, we choose glass packaging for our cheese, cream cheese, pesto, and milk products as part of our commitment to sustainability and health. Glass is reusable, recyclable, and free from harmful chemicals found in some plastics.While glass is more expensive and less convenient due to its weight and fragility, it aligns with our values and provides a healthier, eco-friendly alternative for our customers. As we grow, we’re exploring innovative packaging solutions that maintain our sustainability goals while addressing the limitations of glass.

Minimal Impact Deliveries

Our dedication to sustainability extends to how we deliver food. Every order is packaged using biodegradable and recyclable materials, such as paper and cassava-starch-based alternatives.

The Garden Villa: Nurturing Green Spaces Together

At our Garden Villa, sustainability comes full circle. Customers actively contribute to the lush greenery surrounding them. Plant waste and compost from our deli operations are used to enrich the soil in the garden, creating a closed-loop system that promotes sustainable practices both in the kitchen and beyond.By integrating sustainability into every aspect of our business, Kashew aims to inspire a better, greener future—for our planet and our community.