2024 Natural Grocers Sustainability Report

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NUTRITION EDUCATION

QUALITY

ALWAYS AFFORDABLE PRICING SM

COMMUNITY

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PEOPLE

ANIMAL WELFARE

HEALTH

Operations NATURAL GROCERS ® BRAND PRODUCTS: PACKAGING Our Natural Grocers Brand Products use recyclable, biodegradable and/or compostable packaging whenever possible. Our bulk packaging is free from Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates All our Natural Grocers Brand Products canned foods feature Bisphenol A non-intent (BPA-NI) liners All Natural Grocers Brand Products packaging and labels are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) non-intent compliant Many of our Natural Grocers Brand Products household cleaners use bottles made from sugar cane. This is beneficial to the environment because 1 pound of sugar cane-based polyethylene (a renewable resource) captures 2.15 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), compared to 1 pound of Petroleum-based polyethylene which emits 1.83 pounds of CO 2 . Natural Grocers Rocky Mountain Spring Water comes in infinitely recyclable aluminum bottles with a BPA-NI liner. For the case packaging, our partner uses shrink wrap and plastic that have been retrieved from oceans and repurposed. Natural Grocers Products such as our 24 ounce applesauce, pickles and select mustards are packaged in glass, which is also infinitely recyclable. As part of FY24 events, such as Earth Day, we gave customers almost 700,000 free, reusable bags, a value of $0.7 million.

PRODUCE BAGS Since 2020 our produce department has offered two alternatives to conventional single-use plastic produce bags:

Plant-based, household compostable plastic bags, and 100% recycled, recyclable, and compostable paper bags.

More than 65 million conventional single-use plastic produce bags have been saved from entering the waste stream and impacting the environment.

AT CHECKOUT We have had single-use bag-free checkouts since 2009. Customers have the option to use their own bags, or a cardboard box that we upcycle from receiving. Over the past 15 years we estimate our policy has prevented more than 550 million single-use plastic bags from entering the waste stream and impacting the environment.

Additionally, for each customer who brings their own shopping bag, we donate 5 cents to a local food bank, which has amounted to more than $2 million in donations since the program’s inception.

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NATURAL GROCERS ® | SUSTAINABILITY REPORT