Our ethical grocer of the week is Natural Grocers!!!
There has been a major cultural shift among supermarkets. Supermarkets around the world have been on a mission to meet high ethical standards. Thus, they have been improving in various aspects under four key themes. These themes include: the environment, animals, people and politics. Combined this creates an ‘ethiscore’.
Supermarkets that get a high ethiscore stock more ethical goods such as Fairtrade, organic and MSC-certified products, as well as vegan and plastic-free options. These standards perfectly align with the values of many of today’s eco-conscious consumers. In fact, Ethical Consumer magazine advises consumers to look for the following when choosing a supermarket:
- fairtrade products to reduce the food industry’s reliance on underpaid labour;
- organic produce to help reduce the use of artificial chemicals;
- and sustainably-sourced guarantees for products like palm oil, cocoa and fish.
Ethical Consumer magazine also advises consumers to avoid buying products that contain GMO’s, that are packaged in plastic or that are factory farmed. Meanwhile, there are many grocery stores all over the world that are holding to these same standards.
One such supermarket is this weeks ethical grocer, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage. Natural Grocers was founded in 1955 in Colorado. Their mission was to make the dream of nutrition education and affordable health a reality. Ultimately that dream came to fruition. Today, what started out as a Colorado-based company, has now grown to over 140 stores and counting in 19 states.
Natural Grocers has consistently maintained a standard of having quality products with a purpose. To that end they only sell 100% organic produce. They carry only 100% pasture-based dairy and free-range eggs. Additionally, Natural Grocers stocks a host of sustainable products including: compostable cups, plates and straws; hardwood charcoal that is chemical free, low ash and comes in biodegradable bags; and a full range of non-toxic cleaning products. If that’s not enough Natural Grocers has nutritional health coaches there to help empower and educate you on your personal health and wellness journey.
So if you live in the mid-west or on the west coast be sure to stop by a Natural Grocers near you. It makes sustainable living all the more easy and convenient.
Have you been to Natural Grocers, our ethical grocer of the week?
