Organics, Greenhouse Grown & Horticulture

Organic farming contributes to healthy land stewardship. Costco’s selection of organic products in fiscal year 2021 continued to grow worldwide to meet our members’ demands, with organic comprising 33% of our fresh produce sales. Additional examples of organic products include fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, cheese, milk, butter, grains, nuts, coffee, tea, juice, wine, beer, spices, oils, sauces, snacks and cotton. Some are local to the individual geographic region and others are offered worldwide.

We have many excellent suppliers that help us grow and expand our organic offerings. One example is Earthbound Farm that grows various produce items using field practices to support soil health, promote natural pest management and weed control, and improve food safety. Where it makes sense we work with suppliers and growers to support the conversion of conventional supplies to organic.

A key component of the sustainable growth of protein organics, such as eggs, chicken, beef, pork, etc., is organic feed. Costco works with its suppliers and their feed suppliers to learn the impact that this growing demand for feed has on farmers’ future security, yields and income.

Greenhouses are another form of sustainable agriculture that we are exploring with our suppliers.

Go-Green

In 2019, Costco began to grow romaine lettuce produced by Go Green’s California greenhouse. We invested in this business to address food safety concerns, increase water efficiency and reduce waste. This 600,000-square-foot greenhouse operates 365 days a year. Romaine lettuce is organically grown and harvested onsite.

Costco’s transportation costs and fuel usage will decrease as the greenhouse is located near our Tracy, California, depot. This greenhouse is certified organic and its 12-acre growing site produces the equivalent of 150 planted field acres, which is a reduction in land use. In addition, there will be 0% of water runoff and minimal to 0% of erosion due to no-tillage. For more information, please visit our Water Minimization page.

Windset Farms

Another example is Windset Farms that grows tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers in greenhouses through sustainable practices that include water and energy conservation, the use of renewable energy, and recyclable packaging.

Many of our cut rose heads are sourced from Colombia and Ecuador and are certified by the Rainforest Alliance. This means that these roses are traceable to the farm and these certified suppliers meet standards that:

• protect ecosystems, wildlife habitats and pollinator health;
• conserve water and soil;
• promote decent and safe working conditions;
• ensure that the farms are good neighbors to rural communities and wildlands; and
• mitigate and adapt their business to climate change.

These suppliers also support their local communities through scholarship programs and childcare centers.

For the UK market, Costco began sourcing its fresh cut roses from Kenya through our supplier MM Flowers and farms of the VP Group.

Costco’s rose suppliers are limiting the use of chemicals and more information can be found on our Pollinator Health & Chemical Reduction page.

LIVE GOODS

Costco’s suppliers of live goods (indoor and outdoor plants) and fresh flowers are working to phase out harmful chemicals. More information can be found on our Pollinator Health & Chemical Reduction page.