Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers Inc., (SEG) announced its commitment to protect the health of the world’s essential pollinator populations to help ensure food security for future generations. Southeastern Grocers investment in pollinator health will include working with and supporting supplier partners who avoid the use of detrimental pesticides like neonicotinoids, glyphosate and organophosphates, sourcing fresh produce and floral from suppliers with third-party-verified integrated pest management (IPM) practices, encouraging supplier partners to obtain pollinator-friendly certifications that facilitate consumer education, and increasing the amount of USDA Organic produce offered in its stores.
Honeybees, butterflies, birds, bats, and other pollinators are fundamental to the development of the earth’s flowering plants and crops, which makes them vital to our world’s food supply. According to a report by the USDA, approximately 35% of the world’s food crops rely on animal pollinators for reproduction, which says pesticide use in conventional farming methods is perpetuating the destruction of pollinator habitats, resulting in the loss of pollinators entirely. Without pollinators, we would experience extensive food shortages and exacerbated global warming.
The parent company of Winn-Dixie, Fresco y Más, and Harveys Supermarket is one of the largest conventional supermarket companies in the U.S. SEG grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies serve communities throughout the five southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi.