by Behind the Scenes of Palm Sourcing
Did you know that palm oil is the most used vegetable oil on the planet? That creates a big supply chain with some big problems, but allows for some big opportunities. In recent years, palm oil has become associated with deforestation, habitat destruction, pollution and CO2 emissions, and human rights risks. But here at Whole Foods Market, we’ve been finding innovative suppliers who are reinventing the palm supply chain. Read on to hear from Pacha Soap Co. and Dr. Bronner’s, two of our suppliers who are focused on improving the global palm oil supply chain!
Pacha Soap Co.
“I think in the United States, we have created a system that values low price and that comes at a cost. And we’ve often put profits over prosperity…So I think the way that other brands and retailers can start is to just ask the questions, explore what’s already happening within the supply chain, understand the opportunity costs associated with cheap ingredients and cheap food.”
Alyssa Vescio, SVP, Merchandising at Whole Foods Market
Dr. Bronner’s
“Palm oil actually has a pretty bad rap around the world, and rightly so, it’s responsible for a fair amount of greenhouse gas emissions, certainly human rights abuses, and a really extractive model of agriculture that takes value from rural communities and really concentrates that in the hands of corporate processors. What we’re doing here is providing an alternative model, an alternative that we can actually be commercially successful, really focusing on organic production, number one, to really meet that consumer demand and our mission and mandate on behalf of Dr. Bronner’s..”
David Bronner, Cosmic Engagement Officer, Dr. Bronner’s
