EFI Launches Pollinator Week Toolkit; Alexandra Martinez Discusses

WASHINGTON - Equitable Food Initiative, the capacity-building and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers, and retailers, is celebrating Pollinator Week, June 16-22, by launching a free toolkit with educational resources, downloadable graphics, and actionable tips to raise awareness and assist with supporting pollinator populations.

A toolkit focused specifically on pollinators is a first for EFI, adding to its robust library of materials designed to support safer, healthier, and more sustainable food systems. The toolkit, which highlights not only honeybees and butterflies but also lesser-known pollinators like bats, beetles, birds, moths, and flies, is available at equitablefood.org/pollinator-week.

One in every 3 bites of food we eat requires pollinators, but their populations are declining at alarming rates due to pesticide use, habitat loss, and climate change. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than $18 billion worth of crops depend on pollinators in the United States alone. Pollinator conservation closely aligns with EFI’s mission to foster a more sustainable and transparent food supply chain by addressing environmental, labor, and consumer needs in harmony.

Since pollinators are vital to food production and the health of farming ecosystems, Alexandra Martinez, EFI’s senior digital marketing and sales associate, shared in a recent press release, “We can’t protect what we don’t understand. This toolkit is designed to raise awareness and make it easier for our partners and the broader industry to take meaningful steps to protect pollinator habitats in practical ways.”

The toolkit invites users to explore and take action through colorful graphics, surprising facts, and ready-to-use materials designed to inspire and create learning. Whether you're planting native wildflowers, sharing “Did You Know?” moments on social media, engaging your workforce about this topic, or learning about unexpected pollinators like beetles and bats, there’s something for growers and consumers alike. Highlights include:

• Shareable visuals and infographics
• A “Did You Know?” series
• Templates for social media and email campaigns
• Practical steps to protect pollinators on farms and in neighborhoods

“Our goal is to make participation in Pollinator Week simple, impactful and accessible,” added Martinez. “As pollinator populations face growing challenges, EFI is proud to contribute tools and awareness that encourage improvement and industry engagement.”

For more information on sustainable agriculture practices, EFI offers additional resources through recorded workshops and online courses. These offerings cover topics like biodiversity, integrated pest management and eco-friendly farm management practices.

Readers can access the free Pollinator Week toolkit at equitablefood.org/pollinator-week and explore more sustainability content at equitablefood.org/courses.