Natural Grocers Touts the Benefits of Bugs

This year marks Natural Grocers’ fourth annual Ladybug Love campaign honoring insects that play a crucial role in food supply stability, as well as regenerative farming practices that use ladybugs and other beneficial insects instead of harmful synthetic pesticides to control pests. The Lakewood, Colo.-based grocer, which is celebrating Earth Day and Ladybug Love all month long, is also fundraising to benefit its nonprofit partner Beyond Pesticides.

“We chose the ladybug as our mascot because they can save farmers a significant amount of money by preventing crop damage, and we are asking our communities to take our 4th annual Ladybug Love pledge for the first time or to renew their pledge if they’ve signed it in past years,” Natural Grocers EVP Heather Isely told WGB via email. “By signing the pledge, they are committing to the elimination of poisonous chemical pesticides in their own yards and gardens, to creating their own havens for beneficial insects, and to shopping organic.”

Pledges also trigger a donation by Natural Grocers to Beyond Pesticides to further the organization’s mission of transitioning parks and public spaces to being free of synthetic pesticide usage, making them safer for humans, pets and those important pollinators, Isley said. Along with local organizations, Natural Grocers' fundraising efforts thus far have helped parks and recreational areas in Arizona, Colorado, Oregon and Washington.

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“There has been a 75% drop in the insect population worldwide in the last three decades and a correlative increase in the use of synthetic herbicides and insecticides,” said Isely. “We are witnessing a killing off of these fundamentally beneficial insects that play a powerful role in our ecosystem, economy and food supply.

“This number may surprise some people, but wild living insects contribute at least $57 billion to the U.S. economy every year by controlling pest​s, pollinating crops ​and as part of the food web. As insect populations decline, we significantly reduce their contribution and in turn damage the economy. The impact is vast, so we wanted to bring attention to this worldwide issue of insect decline,” she added.

With the goal to raise $250,000, the multifaceted fundraising efforts of the Ladybug Love campaign include the Ladybug Love pledge—Natural Grocers will donate $1 to Beyond Pesticides for every Ladybug Love pledge signed, whether it’s a first-time signer or a renewed pledge through April 30.

Customers can also donate $1, $5 or $10 at the register at 161 stores in 20 states to fund the Ladybug Love Your Neighborhoods projects in communities where Natural Grocers operates.

Natural Grocers will donate $2 to Beyond Pesticides for every Ladybug Zip Pouch reusable bag (retail $2.99) sold.

Discounts, flash sales for Npower members, sweepstakes and doorbusters are also on tap at Natural Grocers stores throughout April.