Product Policy
ShopNatural is committed to providing its members with high quality nutritious whole foods, supplements and other natural products. ShopNatural will focus on providing a consistent supply of food and products that the owners of this cooperative want. We emphasize natural and organic products that promote health and are environmentally sustainable. Packaging, production and other contributing factors will be used to determine the introduction of new products.
Commitment to Education
This cooperative is committed to provide education to the members. That commitment includes the following:
- Keeping members informed on relevant health and safety issues
- Continuing to work on labeling issues, ie. irradiated foods, genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) and hormones such as rBGH
- Assuring that the ShopNatural recall policy and procedures inform affected customers and is in compliance with Federal and State laws
- Educating ShopNatural members about food and products
Product Policies
Purchasing will source the finest products available and assure that we have a consistent supply for our membership.
Our purchasing policies favor the following:
- Certified organically grown products
- Dairy and meat products free from antibiotics and growth hormones
- Foods that are minimally processed
- Foods free of artificial ingredients such as preservatives, artificial colors and sweeteners.
- Products free from hydrogenated oils and refined sugar
- Producers and vendors who have quality products and commitment to customer service
- Health and beauty (HABA) products that are not tested on animals
- Fair trade products – fair wages and employment opportunities for workers
- Locally or regionally produced products that support businesses, farmers and organizations within our communities
- Products from cooperatively owned businesses
Specific Food Concerns:
Food Irradiation: ShopNatural will not knowingly carry products that contain irradiated ingredients. The exception to that are spices in non-organic foods that may be irradiated. We will continue to work for formal labeling of irradiated foods and ingredients.
Genetically Engineered Ingredients (GE and GMO): ShopNatural will not knowingly carry products or ingredients that are genetically modified. We will continue to work for formal labeling of genetically modified foods and ingredients.
Some product lines that are very popular with ShopNatural members have questionable ingredients, such as artificial sweeteners or hydrogenated oils. ShopNatural will list those additives in the pricelist to assure that members know what they are buying.
Commitment to Carry
ShopNatural believes that full line representations of natural medicines are imperative. Therefore, medicinal herbs, homeopathic and flower remedies and supplements will be carried to assure that we continue to make these available to our membership.
Regardless of the profitability of some products and lines, ShopNatural will determine products that we must carry for the benefit of the membership. This allows purchasing to retain a product that may not be profitable.
Source of Supply
The ethics and practices of some natural and organic vendors and/or producers are questionable. ShopNatural is committed to keep the membership informed on issues that may affect these choices. Some natural food lines are now owned by tobacco companies or companies with questionable human rights practices. Country of origin information has political as well as social ramifications. We will continue to provide information so that members can make informed decisions based on their personal views about these matters.
In regular issues of the newsletter and on line, ShopNatural will provide information regarding suppliers and ownership, when available. We will favor vendors who are committed to producing natural/organic foods and products that are sustainable both in production and distribution. Companies with documented human rights and/or environmental violations will not knowingly be supported by ShopNatural. Companies that falsify ingredients, production methods or organic authenticity will not knowingly be carried by ShopNatural.
Members are encouraged to provide ShopNatural with information, con ce rns and recommendations regarding current and future products and suppliers. ShopNatural will research information and update our information. ShopNatural will feature vendors in articles, online and in print, who are committed to business and environmental practices that are sustainable.
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