<p>At the Whole Foods Market 2013 supplier event in Austin, TX, the company has announced it will be launching a comprehensive three-tier rating system for produce and flowers sold in stores in an effort to help shoppers make more informed choices. The <B>mandatory program</b>, which launches in September 2014, will display ratings of “good,” “better,” and “best,” recognizing and rewarding organic growers who go beyond organic and Fair Trade certifications.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “We are driven by our core values and are always looking at ways to enrich our customers’ experience, improve our communities and support our supplier partners,” said Edmund LaMacchia, global vice president of perishables for Whole Foods Market. “The new produce ratings will provide deeper transparency to our shoppers, helping them make conscious choices while also celebrating the great work and responsible practices of growers beyond their organic and local efforts.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">This is a beneficial program that will encourage suppliers to continually ensure they have the best products in the market, while also reducing potential risk to the consumer, farmworkers, wildlife, and the environment. The enhanced standards will ultimately support growers who protect and support pollinators and reduce pesticide use, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> Thanks to the help of sustainable agriculture experts and suppliers, Whole Foods Market has developed a science-based index to measure product performance on important sustainable farming topics. This comprehensive index provides clear standards to growers who can push themselves to achieve the best rating possible. What better way to guarantee the consumer that they are receiving quality products that go above and beyond Whole Foods’ standards for GMO transparency, food safety, and traceability? The criterion for the three-tier rating system includes topics such as:<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Pest management, including prohibited and restricted pesticides<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Farmworker welfare<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Pollinator protection, or ensuring that plants are continually fertilized by insects like bees or butterflies<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Water conservation and protection<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Soil health<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Ecosystems, or ensuring a healthy relationship between soil and plants in the region<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Biodiversity, or the variety/abundance of plants within the ecosystem<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Waste, recycling, and packaging<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Energy<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">• Climate</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>“This is a game changer that I hope will have a ripple effect throughout the grocery industry,” said Dr. Chuck Benbrook, research professor and program leader for the Center of Sustainable Agriculture at Washington State University.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Indeed. This rating system will start a revolution for suppliers, farmers, and grocery stores everywhere. Are you ready?</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://media.wholefoodsmarket.com/news/produce-rating-release" target="_new"> Whole Foods Market </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
