A New Zero Food Waste Store Opens in Milwaukee

The Glass Pantry, 1039 S. Fifth Place, in Milwaukee is now open for online orders with local delivery and curbside pickup only.

And yes, it’s because of Covid-19 – but it wasn’t planned that way.

Jenna Meier was in the investment industry and then left when her son was born. After about 6 months of being home she became restless and intrigued by what she had heard about zero waste supermarkets and decided she wanted in.

In an interview with Kristine Kierzek of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, she told her story – which Post Covid-19 – I believe, will see an onslaught of new entrepreneurs entering the food world – for products and retail environments.

Focusing on bulk shopping, zero waste and bulk foods and cleaning products with an emphasis on going package free when possible, she created The Glass Pantry.

She was working toward a soft opening, and had done pop-ups at a few locations but had not yet opened the storefront when shutdowns related to COVID-19 started she told the newspaper.  The bestsellers so far have been staples like beans, lentils, nuts, dried pasta, all-purpose and pastry flours, oats, spices, maple syrup and granolas. 

Local free delivery is available anywhere in Milwaukee County for orders over $20. if you are under the minimum or outside the radius, you can do curbside pickup. 

The Glass Pantry is prioritizing bulk as a way for people to shop zero waste.  The store is mostly bulk dried goods in traditional bulk containers, but with some extra selections like pasta, candy, lots of options for cereals and grains and snack foods.  

They are prioritizing local as much as possible. They’ve got local flour, maple syrups, and the rice is from Wisconsin’s first rice farm. Their objective is to support local farmers, makers, growers and millers.  

Expect to see a lot more independent grocers after Covid 19.