Lakewood, CO—Natural Grocers has released its annual Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report. In its third iteration, the retailer highlights its newly implemented product standards as well as its continued support of practices encouraging environmental sustainability, human health, and community well-being.
"Natural Grocers has a legacy of being a values-driven company," said Kemper Isely, Executive Co-President of Natural Grocers, in a press release. "For over 68 years, we have demonstrated our commitment to practices that support a more sustainable and affordable food system. Our Five Founding Principles are naturally aligned with Environmental, Social, and Governance disciplines. This year's ESG Report showcases our rigorous product standards and our continued commitment to practices and products that support environmental and human health. We strive to work with vendors who nurture the land and the welfare of animals. We believe this vigilance also contributes to a healthier planet, thriving communities and a flourishing economy."
Key takeaways from Natural Grocers' 2023 ESG report:
- Invested more than $6 million was invested to provide free nutrition education to customers, Crew members, and communities.
- Offers private-label eggs from regenerative certified farms. The Regeneratively Grown certification uses a scientifically rigorous process to measure soil health, the effectiveness of regenerative agriculture practices, and their impact over time.
- In support of organic farming practices and transparency, extended the certified organic requirement to its entire coffee category.
- Installed a CO2 refrigeration system in a second store, which saves energy and provides enhanced environmental protection compared to conventional refrigerant technologies.
Since 1955, the family-operated company has prioritized sourcing products from vendors who support regenerative and sustainable agricultural practices. Through this, Natural Grocers hopes to inspire other companies within the industry to embrace ecologically thoughtful practices without compromising quality or at the expense of affordability.
