New Bee-Friendly Retailer Scorecard

Friends of the Earth has released its 2025 Bee-Friendly Retailer Scorecard, a national assessment of how the largest U.S. grocery retailers are addressing pesticide use and pollinator health in their supply chains. The scorecard benchmarks 25 major retailers on commitments to reduce toxic pesticides, expand organic offerings, and promote biodiversity. Retailers’ purchasing power directly influences growers, suppliers, and the broader food system, making these rankings a key indicator of market trends.

The report shows progress, with 13 retailers implementing policies aimed at reducing chemicals such as neonicotinoids, organophosphates, and glyphosate, and encouraging ecological pest management practices. Five companies have established time-bound commitments for integrated pest management in their fresh produce supply chains.

However, the report notes that overall action is uneven, and many policies lack measurable targets or concrete timelines for implementation.

For organic and non-GMO agriculture stakeholders, the scorecard signals potential market advantages for growers aligned with retailers that have strong pesticide reduction and organic expansion policies. Industry analysts say ongoing retailer engagement is critical for driving broader supply chain shifts away from conventional pesticide reliance. Strengthened commitments could influence seed demand, crop planning, and adoption of integrated pest management, helping growers align with consumer expectations for bee-friendly and biodiverse food systems.

Sources: Friends of the Earth, Bee-Friendly Retailer Scorecard 2025; Organic Produce Network, Retailer Scorecard Coverage, January 2025.

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