Dive Brief:
- Several major U.S. grocery retailers got failing grades on their policies and practices dealing with pollinator protection, pesticide reduction and organic product selection, according to a report from Friends of the Earth.
- Only Aldi, Costco and Whole Foods received passing grades for their publicly available policies on how they plan to reduce or eliminate pesticide usage to better protect pollinators like bees.
- Of the 20 retailers Friends of the Earth rated, only Costco and Whole Foods received A ratings. The vast majority received Cs. On the lower end of the spectrum, Walgreens and Save-A-Lot received Fs, Trader Joe's and Stop and Shop received a D-, and Rite Aid received a D+.
Dive Insight:
Pesticides are a concern for both health experts and consumers, particularly those who favor natural and organic products, which are often perceived to be free of ingredients treated with pesticides. But certain pesticides are now also environmental and sustainability concerns, because they can impact soil health, ecosystems, nearby organic crops and pollinator populations.
Dwindling populations of pollinators — particularly honeybees — has been a common issue for environmental activists in recent years. Experts say that the threat of extinction for these pollinators could risk the future of global agriculture or even lead to the end of the human race.
If pollinators continue to die, manufacturers could find a reduced supply of key crops used for ingredients, causing massive supply chain disruptions and lost sales from end to end. Manufacturers should work with environmental activists and the farmers in their supply chain to devise ways to combat pollinator population declines and build rapport with eco-conscious consumers.