Grocery stores are the backbones of our communities. Your company can use your purchasing power and make decisions that are good for your customers, our environment, and your bottom line. We are calling on you to be lead the way by meeting with Clean Water Action and working to ensure your supply chain for meat products be as sustainable as possible.
Clean Water Action has been working to protect Minnesota’s water and public health since 1982, focusing on safeguarding our sources of drinking water from pollution or destruction which includes impacts from agricultural activities. The long-term goal of Clean Water Action Field to Fork: Sustainable Feed, Sustainable Food program is to implement policies and sustainable practices to protect our natural resources including soil health, native landscapes, and clean water. Field to Fork has the support of thousands of Minnesotans across the state who share a desire for healthy and sustainably grown food, particularly land-raised meat, that doesn’t pose a threat to our water or our climate.
So that we can make informed purchasing decisions for ourselves and our families and, as your customers, we ask that you recognize and act upon the consumer demand in Minnesota for:
- Healthy and humanely raised meat products
- Sourced from responsible producers actively minimizing their environmental impact
- Clear and transparent labeling and certification
According to Food Industry Executive, healthy eating and changing attitudes towards food and food labeling have changed greatly over the past few years. Out of almost 1,600 consumers surveyed, 63% are trying to eat healthier and almost 75% of consumers pay attention to labeling and certification during their purchasing process. Forbes and Food Business News have likewise reported on changing consumer priorities and the increasing importance of transparency, customization, convenience, and how the food they purchase impacts their planet.
Clean Water Action’s Field to Fork program also conducted its own survey of your customers, and found that when making decisions while grocery shopping:
• 76% cared about the sustainability of your products
• 83% care about what labeling and certifications the meat they purchase have
• 40% are frustrated due to a lack of transparency about the sustainability and source of the meat that they are purchasing
To meet consumer demands, help the planet, and be ahead of the curve for food markets, we ask that the appropriate staff from your organization meet with Clean Water Action Field to Fork organizers and supporters to discuss a plan of action to achieve the following:
Transparency and Labeling
As cited above, there is a large demand for consumer transparency. This can be partly achieved by simplifying labels that are sourced in your store. The label that we believe currently best represents the wishes of your customers in regards to sustainability is Certified Humane Raised and Handled. Between prohibiting animal abuse, creating free-range areas for animals, prohibiting growth hormones, and how animal waste is controlled, we believe that Certified Humane Raised and Handled certification matches exactly what we, as Minnesotans, want and need.
Sourcing and Sustainability
We ask that you work to ensure these minimum standards for the meat supply in your stores:
Beef:
Poultry:
Pork:
- At least 50% must be 100% Organic
- At least 40% of products have no antibiotics, no hormones, rBGH-Free, and naturally raised labeling
- At least 60% must not be grain finished
- At least 30% must be Certified Humane Raised and Handled from Humane Farm Animal Care
Seafood:
- At least 50% must be Fair Trade Certified
- At least 50% must be Wild Caught in Minnesota or Wisconsin
You have the opportunity now to be proactive and get ahead of the rising public demand for sustainable shopping options. As an industry, we know that you are experienced at adjusting to changing demands, supply chain fluctuations, and product availability. Positioning yourself as an organization that values not only the wishes of its customers, but as a leader in promoting products that reduce pollution in our water and don’t contribute to climate change will not only increase your positive brand identity but ensure less unpredictability in our food systems overall.
Please contact Clean Water Action’s Field to Fork Program Coordinator Alaina Lawrence at alawrence@cleanwater.org with possible times to meet with the appropriate members of your staff. We understand the important role that food systems play in our environment and we believe a working partnership can help your store’s bottom-line, improve choices available to consumers, and positively impact the health of our Minnesota’s families, water, environment, and future. Thank you for your consideration.