GLOBALG.A.P. Becomes Third-Party Certification for Walmart's United States Pollinator Health Commitments
PORTLAND, OR - Walmart is doubling down on its fresh produce and floral strategies through its ambitious pollinator health commitments. In its latest move to advance this strategy, the grocer has tapped GLOBALG.A.P. North America as a partner. GLOBALG.A.P.’s Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) standard will now serve as a third-party certification for Walmart's U.S. pollinator health commitments.
Walmart has embedded biodiversity requirements into its supply chain policies as a result of these pollinator health commitments. The retailer stated on its website that it plans to “source 100 percent of the fresh produce and floral [sold in its] Produce department from suppliers that adopt integrated pest management practices, as verified by a third-party, by 2025.”
According to a press release, Walmart and the IPM Institute of North America have been working with GLOBALG.A.P. to ensure the suitability of the globally applicable IFA standard to meet these robust diversity requirements.
GLOBALG.A.P. achieved acceptance of the IFA standard into Walmart’s biodiversity benchmark in 2021, and with the recent release of GLOBALG.A.P. IFA v6 for Fruit and Vegetables and for Flowers and Ornamentals, the updated IFA is also recognized by Walmart.
Fruit and vegetable farmers supplying Walmart U.S. and choosing GLOBALG.A.P. IFA with GFSI recognition will be able to meet Walmart’s food safety and biodiversity requirements with a single audit and certificate. Early adopters—including farms with GLOBALG.A.P. IFA certification—will already be in compliance with Walmart U.S.’s new requirement to have IPM practices verified by a third party by 2025.
As the grocer continues to fortify this fresh-forward strategy, ANUK will bring you the latest.
