Meijer

In August 2021, Meijer released a written, publicly available pollinator health policy for produce, live plant and flower suppliers. The policy encourages suppliers to transition away from nitroguanidine neonicotinoids and organophosphates toward alternative approaches that use chemical controls as a last resort, including integrated pest management (IPM) and regenerative agriculture. The policy clearly defines both of these terms, stating that “IPM is a pest management framework that minimizes pesticide use and risks by relying on inspection and monitoring to detect and correct conditions that could lead to pest problems; implementing biological, cultural and physical strategies to prevent and suppress pest populations; using chemical controls only as a last resort and when economically justified; and assessing pesticide risks and prioritizing the lowest risk options. The policy states that “regenerative agriculture uses ecological farming methods to build healthy soil that can sequester carbon and conserve water resources by: minimizing soil disturbance and keeping the soil covered; increasing diversity within the faming system; reducing synthetic inputs; and integrating crop and livestock systems when appropriate.” The policy states that suppliers should avoid regrettable substitutes, or the replacement of one hazardous pesticide with another, and includes a link to a list of regrettable substitutes. The policy also states that Meijer aspires to grow USDA organic produce sales at twice the rate of non-organic sales and to onboard new organic suppliers. Meijer also states that the company will work with academic institutions to develop educational opportunities for suppliers to learn how to develop and implement IPM strategies and other forms of least-toxic approaches to pesticide use.

Meijer’s policy does not include any timebound or measurable commitments to phase out pesticides of concern or expand the adoption of least-toxic practices in its food supply chains.

Commitment to reduce pesticide use

6 out of 15 points

Avoiding regrettable substitutes

5 out of 5 points

Commitment to least-toxic approaches in non-organic supply chains

3 out of 10 points

Commitment to organic

5 out of 15 points

Meijer communicated to Friends of the Earth that over 10% of produce sales are certified USDA organic.

Meijer has not taken any other discernable action to reduce use of pesticides of concern to pollinator and human health or expand organic farming and other least-toxic approaches in its supply chains. The actions we evaluated include: 1) tracking use of pesticides in company supply chains, 2) measurably reducing pesticide use in the past three years and publicly reporting on data, 3) supporting farmers in non-organic supply chains to shift to least-toxic approaches such as integrated pest management and regenerative agriculture, 4) measurably expanding organic offerings in the past three years, 5) demonstrating support for U.S. growers to transition to organic farming, and 6) demonstrating advocacy for public policies aimed at reducing agricultural pesticide use, protecting pollinators and supporting the expansion of organic agriculture in the U.S.

Track pesticide use in supply chain

0 out of 10 points

Measurably reduce pesticide use

0 out of 15 points

Prioritize least-toxic approaches in non-organic supply chains

0 out of 20 points

Prioritize USDA certified organic

2.5 out of 25 points

Support domestic organic growers

0 out of 15 points

Support public policies

0 out of 5 points

Meijer’s pollinator health policy is publicly available on the company’s website. The policy encourages suppliers to transition away from nitroguanidine neonicotinoids and organophosphates and states Meijer’s aspiration to expand organic offerings. Meijer’s website educates consumers about the value of decreasing use of pesticides to protect pollinator health and also includes a definition of the USDA certified organic label.

Meijer does not appear to include reduction of pesticides of concern to pollinators and human health or expansion of organic offerings in company Key Performance Indicators or other formal sustainability criteria. Meijer does not have educational content online about the value of organic agriculture to pollinator and human health.

Make policies and commitments publicly available

6 out of 6 points

Oversight

0 out of 5 points

Educate consumers

7 out of 10 points

Meijer has communicated with Friends of the Earth in the past year and has briefed Friends of the Earth on meaningful action the company has taken on pesticides and pollinator protection in the past three years.

Meijer has not made a public commitment to reduce or phase out use of neonicotinoids in live goods and garden plants. Meijer has not made a public commitment to remove neonicotinoid or glyphosate products from store shelves.

Policy for live goods

0 out of 4 points

Policy for on-shelf pesticide products

0 out of 5 points