Free Tacos And Message Of Sustainablity Offered At Chaia's Farmers Market Pop-Up

GEORGETOWN, DC — Before Chaia opened its doors in Georgetown in 2015, co-founders Bettina Stern and Suzanne Simon had been selling their plant-forward tacos at a farmers market in Washington, D.C.

Sustainability is more than just a slogan for Stern and Simon, it's also a business model that's helped them expand to two other locations, one in Chinatown and another in Bethesda, Maryland.

To bring that message of sustainability to the masses and celebrate Earth Day a little early — it's really on Friday — Chaia will be returning to its roots and operating a pop-up taco shop from 11 a.m to 1 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Georgetown University Farmers Market.

Simon agreed to answer a few questions about the pop-up stand and what patrons can expect.

PATCH: Why are you doing the pop-up on Wednesday?

SUZANNE SIMON: "In celebration of Earth Day later this week, we’re going back to our Chaia roots. We started as a farmers market stand in 2013 and our first store opened in Georgetown in 2015. We've also found that college students are particularly interested in learning about and supporting sustainable businesses, reducing their footprint and finding ways to improve the environment. We’re always looking to embrace and support that sense of responsibility, and are looking forward to meeting and chatting with many of them on campus."

What can people expect?

"We’ll be giving away tacos starting when the market opens at 11 a.m., until supplies last. We’re also holding a giveaway raffle that will include prizes such as dinner for six at Chaia, gift cards and bottles of our Carrot Habanero Hot Sauce."

As a small business, what has Chaia done to promote the idea of supporting sustainability and the health of the planet? What could other small businesses do?

"Chaia’s whole mission is based on sustainability. We believe that all the small things individuals do can make a big difference — that’s why our goal is to get people to eat more vegetables, not only vegetables (unless they want to). In fact, one 2021 study found that substituting only 10 percent of daily caloric intake from beef and processed meat with items including vegetables can cut a person’s food-based environmental footprint by one-third and add 48 minutes per day to their lifespan.

"Every decision we make at Chaia starts with a deep respect for ingredients and where they come from. Small businesses looking to improve their own sustainability can: review their list of ingredients (as well as materials and equipment) and purchase them from local suppliers wherever possible; ensure the recipe development process involves conversations about what’s in season; and pay close attention to opportunities to reduce food waste and promote composting."

Chaia's pop-up stand will be open from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., on Wednesday, at the Georgetown University Farmers Market, located in Red Square, at 3700 O St., Northwest, in Washington D.C.