Tell Kroger to stop selling food grown with toxic pesticides! >>

Pesticides are sending some wild bees toward extinction!

Toxic neonics can kill bees and harm many other pollinators. These pesticides are used on farms all over the country – often directly on plant seeds, which means the entire plant absorbs the chemicals.

Meanwhile, wild bee populations are spiraling. Some scientists are warning of an “insect apocalypse” if current trends continue.

Giant grocery retailer Kroger could help save pollinators – but it hasn’t committed to eliminating pollinator-toxic pesticides from its food supply chain yet. That’s why we need your help.

Comments

Dear Mr. McMullen,

I urge Kroger to help protect bees, butterflies, and other pollinators by strengthening its pollinator health policy. Bees and other pollinators are a cornerstone of Kroger’s food supply. One of three bites of food we eat depends on pollinators, but they are in great peril. At current rates, forty percent of insect pollinators face extinction in coming years. Scientists around the world are warning that we are in the midst of an “insect apocalypse,” due in large part to the overuse of toxic pesticides.

Kroger is falling behind competitors in pollinator protection. Kroger fell is in 13th place on the 2023 Bee-Friendly Retailer Scorecard. Meanwhile, other companies are stepping up and taking action. Giant Eagle and Walmart have industry-leading policies. Giant Eagle will eliminate the most pollinator-toxic neonicotinoids from its produce supply chain, and both companies will require that all fresh produce suppliers adopt ecological farming methods called integrated pest management (IPM), as verified by a vetted list of third-party certifications, by 2025.

In order to protect pollinators, Kroger must address the use of pesticides that are driving pollinator declines by setting clear, timebound targets for reducing the use of pollinator-toxic pesticides in its supply chains as well as taking meaningful action to expand ecological farming methods in the company’s agricultural supply chains.

To protect pollinators, people, and the planet, I urge Kroger to:

- Reduce Pesticides: Establish a pollinator health policy that includes targets to reduce or phase out neonicotinoids, glyphosate, organophosphates, and other pollinator-toxic pesticides, as well as implementation of alternative, least-toxic pest management strategies in company supply chains.

- Grow Organic: Increase USDA-certified organic food and beverages to 15 percent of overall offerings by 2025, prioritizing sourcing from domestic growers.

- Increase Transparency: Publicly disclose company policies and progress related to these actions.

As the largest traditional grocery chain in the U.S., it’s important that Kroger show leadership in making its food supply safer for farmers, farmworkers, consumers, and pollinators.

Sincerely,

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