by SHERI FLIES

As Costco sources food products from around the world for members' tables, we're finding that strategic relationships can help ensure sustainable supplies and support the people behind the products. Here are a few recent examples where Costco is working with other organizations and companies for the common good.

West Africa provides much of the world’s cocoa, the essential ingredient for chocolate. We source most of our cocoa for our Kirkland Signature™ chocolates from Ivory Coast.

Unfortunately, some areas there have been deforested, limiting cocoa production and leaving locals with limited income-producing options. Through a federally funded U.S. program called Restore (Resilient Ecosystems and Sustainable Transformation of Rural Economies), the Rainforest Alliance is partnering with Costco, Blommer Chocolate and other companies to work with communities to conserve remaining forests, restore others and follow agricultural practices to increase yields.

In the end, the goals are thriving farming communities, healthy forests and sustainable cocoa supplies.

The alarming problems facing honeybees and colony losses over the past several years have been well documented. Costco is supporting several innovative efforts to promote honeybee health.

One is the Seeds for Bees program by Project Apis m., which promotes using cover crops to increase bee forage and improve soil health in California orchards, farms and vineyards. Through Seeds for Bees, growers have access to free and subsidized cover crop seeds that bloom at critical times of the year when bees are hungry but natural food resources are scarce. Seeds for Bees also provides free resources and expert advice to help growers implement best practices.

This program will especially help in California’s almond orchards, which supply 80% of the world’s almond supply (including the Kirkland Signature almonds sold at Costco). Participants report numerous benefits, including healthier soil, improved water infiltration, better dust control and reduced reliance on chemicals. Researchers and growers agree: The bees are happier as well.