Sustainability is no longer optional for U.S. grocers — it’s a competitive necessity, according to Progressive Grocer, which has released its latest roundup of retailers leading the charge toward a more environmentally and socially responsible industry. Each year, the publication’s editors identify food retailers that are “going above and beyond to help create a more sustainable ecosystem for themselves, their associates, their shoppers and the grocery industry as a whole,” reflecting a broad shift in how companies define long-term success.
That shift is being driven in part by technology. Grocers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to reduce waste, while energy-efficient store designs and advanced refrigeration systems are helping cut both emissions and operating costs. These tools are enabling retailers to scale sustainability efforts in ways that were previously difficult to achieve. At the same time, sustainability initiatives are extending beyond environmental impact to include worker well-being and community health — areas where many retailers are expanding programs and investments.
Consumer expectations are also accelerating the trend. Progressive Grocer’s 2026 Consumer Expenditures Study found that 62% of shoppers are willing to pay more at stores that prioritize sustainability, while roughly 40% of Generation Z and Millennials say they would switch to a more sustainable retailer — even as price sensitivity remains high.
Together, those forces underscore how sustainability has evolved from a “nice to have” into what many in the industry now consider table stakes for growth and customer loyalty.
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage
Natural Grocers is expanding its efforts to promote health, sustainability and consumer education, the company said, highlighting new investments and initiatives rolled out over the past year. The Natural Grocers, based in Lakewood, said it “is dedicated to building a healthier, more sustainable future for its customers, associates and the communities it serves,” pointing to its nationwide nutrition education programs as a cornerstone of that mission.
Through its in-store Nutritional Health Coaches, the retailer offers free one-on-one coaching, classes, recipe demonstrations and personalized shopping assistance. “The company empowers wellness nationwide through its differentiated, evidence-based nutrition education program,” it said.
In fiscal year 2025, Natural Grocers invested more than $7 million in nutrition education services. The company said the spending “underscor[es] its belief that accessible, research-backed nutrition guidance can meaningfully support individual and community well-being.”
Sustainability efforts also remain a priority. Natural Grocers said it continues to partner with vendors and farmers focused on soil health, biodiversity and ecological stewardship. During its annual Organic Month fundraiser, the company surpassed its $100,000 goal, raising $113,220 to support Rodale Institute.
The funds, generated through reusable bag sales and customer donations, “directly support farmer-training programs, helping cultivate the next generation of regenerative organic farmers,” the company said.
Natural Grocers is also highlighting agricultural partners through its “Meet Your Farmer” video series, which features organic growers, regenerative ranchers and small-scale farmers working to reshape food production. The company said the series aims to give “a voice to farmers and ranchers who are changing the way food is produced, to ensure a livable, healthy tomorrow.”
In addition, the retailer announced expanded standards for household cleaning products, reflecting updated scientific research on health and environmental impacts. The revised policy increases the list of prohibited ingredients to more than 100.
“With this update, the retailer’s list of prohibited ingredients in household cleaning products now includes more than 100 items,” the company said, noting that newly banned substances include formaldehyde donors, phthalates, parabens, ethanolamines, glycol ethers and quaternary ammonium compounds.
The company said the changes reflect “growing scientific understanding of the impact that certain common ingredients can have on indoor air quality, ecosystems and overall well-being.”
Sprouts Farmers Market
Sprouts Farmers Market is expanding its sustainability footprint through renewable energy investments, pollinator protection efforts and food waste reduction initiatives, the company said in a recent update.
In one of its latest moves, the Phoenix-based grocer partnered with Schneider Electric on a tax credit transfer agreement alongside U.S. Bank and Longroad Energy to support the Sun Pond Solar + Battery Energy Storage System project in Maricopa County.
The large-scale project includes 111 MWdc of solar generation and an 85 MWac / 340 MWh battery storage system. It is expected to power approximately 19,000 homes annually while avoiding an estimated 145,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. Over its lifetime, Sun Pond is projected to generate more than $30 million in revenue for local schools and communities through leases and tax payments. Construction has been completed and the project is now operational.
“This work is anchored in Sprouts’ purpose of helping people live and eat better,” said Brandon Lombardi, the company’s chief legal and sustainability officer. “By supporting new renewable-energy projects, we’re taking tangible steps to care for our planet, people and local communities.”
Beyond renewable energy, Sprouts has also gained recognition for its environmental practices. In December, the retailer became only the second company to earn an A-range score on the Friends of the Earth Bee-Friendly Retailer Scorecard, joining Whole Foods Market. The scorecard evaluates 25 of the nation’s largest grocers on their efforts to reduce pesticides linked to declines in bee populations, biodiversity and overall ecosystem health. Sprouts said it recently introduced a new commitment to pollinator protection, aimed at cutting the use of toxic pesticides across its supply chain while expanding organic offerings.
The company is also a signatory to the U.S. Food Waste Pact, a voluntary agreement focused on reducing waste across the supply chain through a “Target, Measure, Act” framework.
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