Throughout the month of April, and in celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Natural Grocers will invite the community to pledge to protect one of nature's most beneficial insects — the ladybug. Shoppers will be asked to never use chemicals that harm ladybugs or other beneficial insects and pledge to support 100 percent organic produce. For every pledge, Natural Grocers will donate 10 cents, up to a total donation of $25,000, to Beyond Pesticides.
"Since the very beginning, Natural Grocers has been committed to selling only organic produce, which is grown without toxic pesticides, herbicides and genetically modified organisms," said Natural Grocers Co-President Kemper Isely.
This Earth Day, Natural Grocers is focusing on seemingly abundant creatures that are often take for granted: insects. Insects play an essential role in the productivity of our food supply, and their recently noted decline cannot be ignored.
Recent studies indicate that insect populations are down more than 75 percent over the past three decades. Natural Grocers is dedicated to supporting regenerative farming practices that use ladybugs and other beneficial insects instead of pesticides.
In addition to the pledge, Natural Grocers will hold a three-day sale from April 22 to 24 featuring products from a variety of environmentally friendly suppliers. On Earth Day, April 22, Natural Grocers will offer customers a free reusable shopping bag with purchase and the chance to win Natural Grocers gift cards.
Since Earth Day 2009, Natural Grocers has led the fight to reduce single-use plastic bags and end food insecurity in the communities they serve, by eliminating single-use plastic and paper bags from checkout lanes and by donating five cents to local food banks every time a customer shops with a reusable bag. As of the end of March, Natural Grocers estimates it will have eliminated more than 300 million single-use plastic bags and will reach $1 million in total donations to food banks associated with all 152 Natural Grocers stores.
In addition, during the month of April, Natural Grocers will also donate $1 for each purchase of the new Ladybug Love reusable shopping bag to associated food banks.
