Jason Buechel

And so for folks that really care about animal welfare standards, understanding the differences between actions that are taking place, you know, if you take, for example, eggs, what happens when there's cage-free or pasture-raised processes in place versus the a more industrialized facility and what's the impact that's having to that chicken through the process.

And so for folks that really care about animal welfare standards, understanding the differences between actions that are taking place, you know, if you take, for example, eggs, what happens when there's cage-free or pasture-raised processes in place versus the a more industrialized facility and what's the impact that's having to that chicken through the process.

The same thing could take place as it relates for products that are being grown in fields today. The difference of what's happening with organic and regenerative and what's happening with the environment and the biodiversity that's taking place there versus what might be happening in a more industrialized farming practice.

The same thing could take place as it relates for products that are being grown in fields today. The difference of what's happening with organic and regenerative and what's happening with the environment and the biodiversity that's taking place there versus what might be happening in a more industrialized farming practice.

Well, I think the impact depends upon how that product was produced and grown. And so in the case of a chicken breast, and this is a great example. Recently, I had a chance to visit last year, one of our suppliers, Bell & Evans, and being able to see firsthand the differentiation that they put into place and the care that they have for their chickens.

Well, I think the impact depends upon how that product was produced and grown. And so in the case of a chicken breast, and this is a great example. Recently, I had a chance to visit last year, one of our suppliers, Bell & Evans, and being able to see firsthand the differentiation that they put into place and the care that they have for their chickens.

through the entire life cycle versus what would happen in a more industrialized production plant. And so seeing this happy chicken through its very birth, through the entire supply chain process, and then seeing the quality of the product that gets to the consumer, there's a difference.

through the entire life cycle versus what would happen in a more industrialized production plant. And so seeing this happy chicken through its very birth, through the entire supply chain process, and then seeing the quality of the product that gets to the consumer, there's a difference.

There's a difference in the taste and there's a difference in that bird's life and all of the different steps that have taken place throughout the supply chain. And so I think as consumers have more information around what is that differentiation? How was that product grown? How was it produced? You have a better understanding of what that impact is.

There's a difference in the taste and there's a difference in that bird's life and all of the different steps that have taken place throughout the supply chain. And so I think as consumers have more information around what is that differentiation? How was that product grown? How was it produced? You have a better understanding of what that impact is.

And I would say also different customers have different inputs that are important to them. It might be, what is the carbon footprint as an example that was taken for this particular product? Or was it using sustainable seafood sourcing practices and helping protect our waterways? And so I think every product tell sort of a story of what that impact is to their surrounding stakeholders.

And I would say also different customers have different inputs that are important to them. It might be, what is the carbon footprint as an example that was taken for this particular product? Or was it using sustainable seafood sourcing practices and helping protect our waterways? And so I think every product tell sort of a story of what that impact is to their surrounding stakeholders.

Great question. One of our top differentiators as Whole Foods Market is the products that we carry and the quality standards that we have in place. I mentioned a little bit earlier the ingredients that we banned, and that's sort of like the first step in the process. So a supplier has to meet our requirements of not carrying those particular products.

Great question. One of our top differentiators as Whole Foods Market is the products that we carry and the quality standards that we have in place. I mentioned a little bit earlier the ingredients that we banned, and that's sort of like the first step in the process. So a supplier has to meet our requirements of not carrying those particular products.

The second step is we have, based upon the category, other criteria that comes into place. And so within our meat standards, ultimately animal welfare is really important. And so we have something that we use. It's a third party category. system called GAP that has different steps in place.

The second step is we have, based upon the category, other criteria that comes into place. And so within our meat standards, ultimately animal welfare is really important. And so we have something that we use. It's a third party category. system called GAP that has different steps in place.

And our suppliers have to meet those requirements to ultimately have their product certified at a particular step. We have a sustainable seafood sourcing practices where, again, it has to be certified by a third party. One of the things I'm really proud of that we've put into place with produce is a new pollinator protection policy.

And our suppliers have to meet those requirements to ultimately have their product certified at a particular step. We have a sustainable seafood sourcing practices where, again, it has to be certified by a third party. One of the things I'm really proud of that we've put into place with produce is a new pollinator protection policy.

And for us, it was really trying to help ensure that we are supporting pollinator health and looking at pest management controls within the produce space. And so in different categories, we have different requirements. And the way I like to think about it is we do the homework for our customers so they don't have to. You know, I take things like cage free.

And for us, it was really trying to help ensure that we are supporting pollinator health and looking at pest management controls within the produce space. And so in different categories, we have different requirements. And the way I like to think about it is we do the homework for our customers so they don't have to. You know, I take things like cage free.