While the Peninsula looks through a green lens today in celebration of Earth Day, some local businesses keep the planet in mind every day. And when it comes to food, few are as environmentally conscious as the Ocean Beach People’s Organic Foods Market. “Things are definitely trending and people are becoming more conscious of how their purchases are impacting the planet,” said assistant store manager Evanthia Basilico. At OB People’s, 4765 Voltaire St., sustainability starts on the shelves. The local co-op is completely vegetarian, preserving water used to process meat and not contributing to carbon dioxide emissions emitted from livestock. “Even in our meetings we discuss these things, and we also get pushed by our community by the people that shop here,” Basilico said. “It’s not just us, it’s the people who shop here, too.” Recently, OB People’s made its upstairs bakery and deli more environmentally friendly by replacing paper plates and plastic utensils with reusable items. And the co-op has been getting rid of as much packaging as possible within the store. “The packaging is another thing we’ve really actively worked on, talking to manufacturers about reducing packaging and promoting our fresh produce and bulk department,” Basilico said. “There’s not a lot of packaging at all there.” Outside the completely green building that sports recycled steel and building materials, OB People’s Food doesn’t stop its sustainability and green efforts. Members of the co-op are active in the political world on all things related to sustainability. “That’s one of the nice things about having the community involved,” Basilico said. “Being a co-op, we can work as a group. So when bills come up, either in California or nationally, we provide postcards for our members to send in their opinions.” Later this month, co-op general manager Nancy Casady will travel with former congressman Jim Bates to Washington, D.C. While in the nation’s capitol, Casady will meet with lawmakers in order to generate new legislation. “We’ve been actively working on getting genetically-engineered foods labeled in this country — like countries in Europe and Japan have,” Basilico said. OB People’s is celebrating Earth Day in the store by offering 5 percent discounts in its bulk department, in which none of the food items are packaged. For more information, visit www.obpeoplesfood.coop.