EMERYVILLE, CA - Whenever the topic of pollination comes up, my immediate thought is, “Save the bees!” These mighty workers alongside the rest of Mother Nature’s fastidious pollinators are extremely vital to the well-being and growth of our industry and our essential nutrition. SCS Global Services (SCS), an international pioneer and leader in sustainability standards development and third-party certification of environmental, social, safety, and quality performance, is hoping to keep that energy going with its Sustainably Grown Certification program. Walmart Canada is also doing its part, as recently accepted SCS’s program under its new Pollinator Health Program.

“We applaud Walmart Canada for its forward-thinking pollinator initiative, which motivates fresh produce suppliers to help protect and restore pollinator habitats by phasing out the use of a wide variety of pesticides harmful to pollinators. In addition, Walmart’s efforts are encouraging global suppliers to establish new pollinator habitats to safeguard food production,” said Carey Allen, VP and Managing Director of the Food and Agriculture Division at SCS. “The depth and scope of SCS Sustainably Grown certification is a good fit for this initiative, providing the highest level of auditing and accountability to verify conformity and help to safeguard our global food supply.

Walmart U.S. had announced similar measures in April 2021 alongside GLOBALG.A.P. Now, Walmart Canada is following close behind, stating it will source 100 percent of the fresh produce and floral sold in its in-store produce department from suppliers that will adhere to the integrated pest management practices that have been verified by a third party by 2025.According to the release, these measures are aimed at mitigating the substantial decline in pollinator populations, which includes bees, beetles, birds, butterflies, bats, moths, wasps, and more, which threatens global food production.

SCS’s Sustainably Grown Certification Program provides a detailed framework for environmental stewardship, including verification of the impacts of the agricultural operations’ IPM programs, as well as extensive responsible sourcing and social responsibility provisions. The standard is consistently ranked among the top responsible sourcing standards in independent surveys.

Sustainably Grown is accredited by ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), aligned with the Global Social Compliance Programme (GSCP), recognized by the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), and utilized by major brands as part of their sustainable sourcing policies.

In addition to its own Sustainably Grown certification, SCS Global Services has also become a certifier of choice for additional food labeling, food safety, and agricultural certification schemes accepted under the new Walmart Canada program, including Equitable Food Initiative (EFI), Fair Trade USA, GLOBALG.A.P., Rainforest Alliance, and USDA Certified Organic.

To learn more about Walmart Canada’s new Pollinator Health program, click here.

How will retailers and industry leaders continue to change in light of sustainable practices? AndNowUKnow will report.

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