Food Retail Ethical Policy
I mentioned in my report of the Central and Eastern regional AGM that the Co-operative Group is planning to formulate an ethical policy for the food side of the business, in a similar fashion to our famous Co-operative Bank Ethical Policy. Just as the Co-op Bank's policy is governed and generated by the customers of the bank, the idea is that the food retail ethical policy will be produced in partnership with the customer members of that business.This is a fantastic idea and if you are interested in being consulted on this issue, then you can sign up from the front page of the membership website. I'd encourage any members who are interested in environmental issues to sign up so that the results are truly representative of the views of the membership of the Society.
posted by Sam at Tuesday, May 22, 2007
4 Comments:
Why only food?
Cleaning products can do lots of damage, but the stuff that's hardest to find here (in any shops, not just co-op) is the friendlier cleaning products from companies like Ecover, Biocare and Symfony. I asked, but our co-op shops are apparently not allowed to order them at the moment. Meanwhile, the typical Unilever and P+G chemical cocktails are stocked.
I hope that the "food retail ethical policy" will cover such products - "Food retail" is the name given to what most people would think of as "Co-op shops". This is to distinguish them from our travel agents, pharmacies etc. I certainly agree that at least some environmentally friendlier products should be part of the Co-op range.
I just re-read the members homepage - it makes it seem like this policy will only apply to the Co-op own-brand products, not to the food retail shops range selection. The own-brand products used to be more ethical (BUAV-approved cleaners and so on), but I've been disappointed recently (GM cheese in flans), so I guess it's needed.
I've noticed an online discussion about this advertised for 10 July, so I've flamed the insensitive broad-brush "ranging" policy again in advance and added another twist: is it ethical for the co-op to chase tobacco, refined sugar product and alcohol sales in poorer areas? I know we have to stock some for a full range of what people want, but should we keep expanding the number of coke fridges?
Re: friendlier cleaning products.
I know the Ecover range has been increased to all products and distribution increased even to the smaller stores. Larger stores should stock the full range of Biocare products. New also, is the trendy Method eco range from the US and E-cloths, but I suppose due to their premium price tag will be stocked in stores with a more affluent demographic. You can also get 2 co-operative fairtrade cotton cleaning cloths for only 75p. The products should be appearing on the shelves now and most stores will probably order the products if requested.
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