Natural Grocers Releases Its First ESG Report

Natural Grocers released its first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report on Feb. 1, which outlines its standards and results related to building a healthy, sustainable future for its customers, employees and communities. 

The Lakewood, Colo.-based organic and natural neighborhood grocer said this first report is primarily focused on product standards—"the cornerstone of Natural Grocers' sustainability principles."

"Natural Grocers was founded by our parents in 1955. They wanted to improve the health and well-being of their family, friends and neighbors and sustain the health of the planet we all share,” said Heather Isely, Natural Grocers' EVP, in a statement. “They were pioneers in the sustainability and regenerative agriculture movement."

In the report, Isely credits the company’s success to its founding principles, which still resonate in 2022. “Today, Natural Grocers is still a leader of this movement because our Five Founding Principles continue to drive our business practices: nutrition education; the highest quality organic and natural products; 'Always Affordable' prices; and commitment to our crew and our communities. This is why and how our business practices allow us to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of our communities and the planet."

The company said its commitment to establishing product standards that support human and environmental health is evidenced in its continuous efforts to enhance these standards. One such example in the report is how Natural Grocers, which sold only cage-free eggs since its founding, enhanced its product standards in 2016 to sell only free-range eggs. Likewise, in 2014, the company said it was an early adopter of product standards designed to remove all confinement dairy products from its stores and continues to sell only 100% pasture-based dairy products.

Natural Grocers said it makes every effort to base its product standards on relevant scientific evidence to best support the sustainability and health of the food system, crew members and its communities, and is committed to continuing to drive higher product standards within the industry.

"We hope to inspire other companies around the world to follow our lead and to realize that it is possible to offer high-quality organic and natural products at always affordable prices,” Isely said in a statement. “Since its founding, Natural Grocers has embraced practices intended to make our food system more just, sustainable and equitable."

A copy of the ESG Report is available here.