Whole Foods unveils new pollinator policy

Fotó: Whole Foods Market

The new policy applies to all Whole Foods’ fresh produce and floral product suppliers, excluding wholesalers, as it aims to meet two benchmarks by 2025. First, the grocer will require all fresh produce and floral growers to implement an Integrated Pest Management system, which “prioritizes preventative and biological pest control measures” as well as lowers the need for chemical pesticides.

Second, Whole Foods will prohibit the use of nitroguanidine neonicotinoids in all potted plants the grocer sells. In addition, Whole Foods will encourage all of its fresh produce and floral suppliers to phase out these same pesticides, because they are particularly harmful to pollinators, the grocer’s pollinator policy says.

This pollinator policy builds on Whole Foods’ commitment to organics, the grocer said, adding that a report from The Organic Center report in 2015 noted that organic farming practices have been effective in maintaining the health and population of crop pollinators, such as honeybees.

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