Flagstone Foods has announced that it is committed to sourcing 100% of its almonds from bee-friendly farms by 2025, revealing an opportunity to rehabilitate the sustainability image of almonds, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

This initiative will likely appeal to US consumers, as GlobalData’s most recent 2021 Q1 consumer survey reveals that 42%* of consumers say that how environmentally friendly a product is always or often influences their product choice. As of 2020, nuts and seeds is the third largest savory snacks category in the US, after processed snacks and potato chips, and values a forecast $5.7bn in 2020 with expectations for this to reach $6.2bn by 2024.

Ryan Whittaker, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “There has been backlash recently against the wide use of almonds due to their impact on bees and other pollinators, as well as the water used in their cultivation. Pollinators are essential to the functioning of the almond industry, and in recent years hives have regularly been devastated by this work. This new commitment by Flagstone Foods is to be applauded and emulated in the interest of the bees, the agricultural industry and the ecosystem at large.”

Flagstone Foods’ Healthy Bees, Happy Snackers initiative promotes a more sustainable almond industry. The initiative includes supporting sustainable, bee-friendly farming practices, certification and verification programs, as well as contributing to programs to create habitats for bees while improving soil health.

Whittaker notes: “Few companies deal with almonds on the scale of Flagstone Foods, a snack-focused private label manufacturer. The fact that a market leader is taking this issue seriously shows just how important it has become to both industry players and consumers. Adapting cultivation to protect the insects we all ultimately rely on is going to be increasingly vital as the effects of industrial farming and climate change continue to affect crop yields. It really is in everyone’s interest to promote bee-friendly farms.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers have said that they have become more concerned with sustainability.

Whittaker explains: “GlobalData’s latest research suggests that 42%** of US consumers always or often prioritize sustainability in their choice of product or service, and 32% of US consumers report that they appreciate news on brands’ sustainability initiatives. This means that commitments like these generate wide marketing appeal in addition to doing the ‘right thing’.

“Consumers are willing to pay for products that will help the world alleviate the coming climate crisis. Whether it is private label snack sourcing to alternative milks, ethical and sustainable almond crops are likely going to become ever-more critical to solving food security and climate change issues.”