They say it’s not easy being green.

Ed Estberg would disagree.

To our Senior Director of Facilities, it’s simply a tantalizing challenge. His eyes glisten behind his glasses and a smile tugs at his lips as he talks about his favorite subject – being green.

He explains complex, state-of-the-art refrigeration technologies in terms anyone can understand. As you listen to each new landmark accomplishment of Raley’s, you start to catch Ed’s enthusiasm and sense of excitement.

“Although our new store will raise the bar for us,” Ed explains, “it’s not our first effort at being green.”

We recycle and divert more than 680 tons of waste per store, keeping it out of area landfills – or about 94,000 tons of waste per year across our entire chain.

Then there’s our clean-burning fleet of trucks, which we were the first retailer to use. Innovations like these have earned us recognition by the state of California and the city of Sacramento for our environmental efforts.

So what makes Petaluma different?

“We’ve invented the DMC Condenser – an integral part of our refrigeration system, yielding an impressive 85% reduction in water usage.” Ed says. “Instead of using 100,000 gallons a month, we use only 15,000 gallons. It saves electricity, too.”

One of the biggest innovations in Petaluma is the combination of skylights and induction lighting throughout the store. Ordinary fluorescent lights last an average of 30 months. Induction lighting, coupled with the natural lighting from our skylights, should last up to 27 years — and we’re the only grocery chain using this technology.

Because of the systems we use in our Petaluma store, and our other stores, we’ve been Gold certified by the EPA’s GreenChill Program. GreenChill recognizes supermarkets that promote strategies and changes to reduce ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases.

Want to check out our new store?
Check our website for updates on the grand opening.

A Taste of Petaluma

Now that you know a little about what we’re up to in Petaluma, settle in for a taste of the town itself – from the award-winning cheeses of Marin French to the eggs and dairy products that the area is famous for!

Marin French Cheese
In our Deli
The folks at Marin French have been hand-making cheese “the same we did 143 years ago,” as owner Jim Boyce explains.

The oldest cheese manufacturer in the country, the company began with its unique breakfast cheese, crafted for San Francisco’s dockworkers back in 1865.

Although that award-winning cheese is a classic (and one of our favorites!), the company is best known for its perfect Brie, a gold award-winner at the World Cheese Awards – only the second American cheese to take top marks.

What makes the difference? Located in the pastoral hills around Petaluma, Maxx Sherman of Marin French says, “Where we are located has everything to do with our cheeses’ taste.”

Straus Family Creamery
In our Natural Foods Dept.

Let your taste buds travel back in time. From ice cream and yogurt to milk in glass bottles, this family-owned organic dairy and creamery does it all with honest old-fashioned flavor. The Straus’ even power their dairy with methane from their cows!

Albert Straus is a quiet, soft-spoken man who is passionate about organic and sustainable farming. Though the Straus Family Creamery is hidden away in the rolling hills near Tomales Bay, the business is known world-wide. His dairy has been featured on national TV shows and Prince Charles, an organic farmer himself, once expressed interest in stopping by for a visit.

Spicy Oven Fried Chicken with Cool Cilantro Sauce

Asparagus and Brie Packets

Strawberry Daiquiri Mousse Pie

Try these delicious recipes:

Petaluma Egg & Avocado Salad

See how to cut and peel an avocado at raleys.com/watch 

Sweet Buttery Pastry Crust 

Savory Butter Pastry Crust