2025 Natural Grocers Sustainability Report

PLANET

HEALTH

NUTRITION EDUCATION

QUALITY

CREW

ALWAYS AFFORDABLE SM PRICING

COMMUNITY

ANIMAL WELFARE

PEOPLE

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 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. 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 Brand Products, such as our 24-ounce applesauce, pickles and select mustards are packaged in glass which is recyclable and ensures product safety while not inhibiting product flavor or freshness 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 80 million conventional single-use plastic produce bags have been saved from entering the waste stream and impacting the environment. AT CHECKOUT

OPERATIONS SUSTAINABILITY MILESTONES :

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 our receiving department. Over the past 16 years we estimate our policy has prevented more than 625 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 $2.5 million in donations since the program’s inception. As part of FY 2025 events, such as Earth Day, we gave customers more than 750,000 free, reusable bags, a value of $0.8 million. Our receipt paper is free from BPA

2009

Eliminated single-use plastic bags at checkout; switched to bring-your-own-bag or upcycled cardboard boxes

2020

In the produce aisle, switched to plant based, compostable plastic bags and 100% recycled, recyclable, and compostable paper bags

2022

Initiated CO 2 refrigeration pilot

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NATURAL GROCERS ® | SUSTAINABILITY REPORT