Retailer Snapshot
In 2013, Buy-Low Foods and Nesters Market (“Buy-Low”) committed to removing all red-listed seafood products (from sources rated ‘Avoid’ by Seafood Watch) and replacing them with more sustainable alternatives. In 2015, Buy-Low became the first major retailer in North America to have achieved this. Buy-Low has committed to procuring all its fresh and frozen seafood products from sustainable (by which Buy-Low means seafood rated either ‘Good Alternative’ or ‘Best Choice’ by Seafood Watch) and traceable sources, or from fisheries/farms that are engaged in a credible improvement project. Uniquely among major Canadian retailers, Buy-Low doesn’t sell any farmed Atlantic salmon due to sustainability concerns.
Tweet this retailer and let them know what you like – or don’t like – about their policy. For example:
I saw on Seafood Progress that @Buy_Low_Foods recently added species names and whether the product was wild or farmed to its seafood labels - great to have this extra info! Next up - production area and method, pls! #transparency Click To TweetBuy-Low provides good staff training on seafood sustainability issues and its suppliers must sign a comprehensive Code of Conduct that commits them to provide products that are in line with Buy-Low’s sustainability commitment. Buy-Low also recently committed to increasing the information available to consumers on its seafood labels by adding species’ scientific (Latin) names and whether the product was wild or farmed.
Buy-Low is supporting improvements in the production of farmed imported shrimp and prawn through preferential sourcing of eco-certified and Ocean Wise recommended products, and SeaChoice recommends that Buy-Low takes action to support improvements on other SeaChoice Priority Species that they sell, such as skipjack tuna or Pacific rockfish (also called “Pacific snapper”).
In the process of developing this profile, SeaChoice corresponded with Glen Genereux, the Meat Buyer/ Meat Merchandising Manager for Buy-Low Foods Ltd and Nesters Market, and Claire Li, Account Representative at Ocean Wise.
Step 1: Does the retailer have a comprehensive commitment on sustainable seafood?
Overall Step Score
Does the policy include time-bound objectives for addressing environmental issues, social concerns and traceability?
The step score is based on the average of Step 1 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
1.1 Has a publicly available commitment or policy to source more environmentally sustainable seafood
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods’ Sustainable Seafood Reference Manual (unpublished, 2013) reports that its sustainable seafood commitment was to, by 2015, ensure that all fresh and frozen seafood were from sustainable and traceable sources, or were in a credible improvement project. The goal to remove all red-listed (as determined by Seafood Watch) seafood products from Buy-Low Foods’ stores was achieved in 2015.
- 0% No publicly available commitment or policy
- 25% General statement of commitment to sustainable seafood without clear objectives or timelines
- 50% Clear objective for sustainable procurement but no reference to standards and no timeline
- 75% Clear objective for sustainable procurement that references a standard with clear objectives but no timeline
- 100% Clear objective for sustainable procurement that references a standard with clear objectives and a timeline (or a timeline is not needed because objectives are already being met)
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods supports the UN’s Universal Declaration on Human Rights and adherence to relevant Conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and works with their suppliers to ensure that their labour practices reflect national laws and international standards (personal communication, G. Genereux, 02/05/2018).
- 0% No publicly available commitment or policy
- 25% General statement or stance on social responsibility
- 50% Stance on social responsibility with reference to a credible international standard (e.g. the International Labour Organization, the UN's Universal Declaration on Human Rights, etc.)
- 75% Social responsibility commitment that references a credible standard with clear objectives OR actions or expectations made upon seafood suppliers
- 100% Social responsibility commitment that references a credible standard with clear objectives AND actions or expectations made upon seafood suppliers
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods’s ambition is to source as much MSC or ASC certified sustainable seafood as possible as this also offers excellent traceability throughout the supply chain (personal communication, G. Genereux, 15/03/2018).
- 0% No publicly available commitment or policy for traceability
- 33% General statement of commitment traceability without clear objectives or timelines
- 66% Clear traceability objectives but no timeline
- 100% Clear traceability objectives and timeline
- Scoring Rubric
Step 2: Is the retailer collecting data to support their commitment?
Overall Step Score
What information is the retailer collecting to monitor the environmental and social sustainability of their seafood products?
The step score is based on the average of Step 2 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods’ buyers request that all vendors provide species’ scientific names for fresh-frozen and private label seafood products, but not national brands (personal communication, G. Genereux, 15/03/2018).
- 0% No data collected on species' scientific names (or no information available)
- 50% Some data collected on species' scientific names
- 100% Comprehensive data collected on species' scientific names
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods’ buyers request that all vendors provide origin (country and/or region) of catch or aquaculture facility for fresh-frozen and private label seafood products, but not national brands (personal communication, G. Genereux, 15/03/2018).
- 0% No data collected on country of origin (or no information available)
- 50% Some data collected on country of origin
- 100% Comprehensive data collected on country of origin
- Scoring Rubric
2.3 Retailer collects data on whether the seafood products being sold are wild or farmed - the "how"
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods’ buyers request that all vendors provide information on whether seafood products provided are from wild or farmed sources for fresh-frozen and private label seafood products, but not national brands (personal communication, G. Genereux, 15/03/2018).
- 0% No data collected on whether seafood products are wild or farmed (or no information available)
- 50% Some data collected on whether seafood products are wild or farmed
- 100% Comprehensive data collected on whether seafood products are wild or farmed
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods’ buyers request that all vendors provide information on the gear type or farming methods for fresh-frozen and private label seafood products, but not national brands (personal communication, G. Genereux, 15/03/2018).
- 0% No data collected on gear type or farming methods (or no information available)
- 50% Some data collected on gear type or farming methods
- 100% Comprehensive data collected on gear type or farming methods
- Scoring Rubric
Step 3: Is the retailer making responsible sourcing decisions?
Overall Step Score
Are the retailer’s procurement decisions supporting their environmental and social sustainability commitments?
The step score is based on the average of Step 3 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods’ sourcing policy relies on ratings from Seafood Watch and recommendations by Ocean Wise, and also aims to increase the number of products in its range that are from MSC and ASC certified sources.
- 0% No sustainabilty criteria used to inform purchasing decisions (or no information available)
- 100% Sustainability criteria used to inform purchasing decisions
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods achieved its commitment to remove all red-listed seafood products by 2015 and it has continued to abide by this policy (personal communication, G. Genereux, 15/03/2018).
- 0% Retailer did not demonstrate how much of their seafood sold meets their sustainability commitment (or no information available)
- 25% Retailer can demonstrate that 25% or more of their seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
- 50% Retailer can demonstrate that 50% or more of their seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
- 75% Retailer can demonstrate that 75% or more of their seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
- 100% Retailer can demonstrate that 100% of their seafood products sold meets their sustainability commitment
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods is working with its suppliers to minimize the risk of potential human rights abuses in its supply chain, making clear it is a priority. Buy-Low is also supportive of sustainable livelihoods, for example supporting Manitoba lakes fisheries producers to improve management practices and aim for certification of their product (personal communication, G. Genereux, 15/03/2018).
- 0% Retailer does not work with suppliers on social issues (or no information)
- 50% Retailer does some work with some suppliers on some social issues
- 100% Retailer is very active with suppliers in respect to social issues
- Scoring Rubric
Step 4: Is the retailer transparent about their commitment?
Overall Step Score
Is the retailer making information regarding the environmental and social performance of their seafood products publicly available and are they reporting on progress against their sustainable seafood commitment?
The step score is based on the average of Step 4 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods has recently changed its fresh and smoked seafood labels to include scientific (Latin) names and whether the product is wild or farmed (personal communication, G. Genereux, 02/May/2018).
- Species Latin name (the what)
- Country of origin (the where)
- Wild or farmed (the how part 1)
- Gear type or farming methods (the how part 2)
- 0% Retailer does not label products with the information (or no information)
- 50% Retailer labels some products with the information
- 100% Retailer labels all products with the information
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
As an Ocean Wise partner, Buy-Low Foods is using the Ocean Wise logo on Ocean Wise recommended seafood products. Buy-Low Foods also includes MSC/ASC labels on certified packaged products.
- 0% Retailer does not label seafood with applicable eco-labels (or no information)
- 100% Retailer labels seafood with eco-labels as applicable
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods currently does not disclose this information.
- 0% No product procurement information has been made available (or no information)
- 50% Some seafood product procurement information (such as region and gear types) has been made available
- 100% All seafood product procurement information (including region and gear types) has been made available
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods reported in 2015 the achievement of its commitment and again in 2017 through the SeaChoice/Buy-Low Foods press release.
- 0% No public information on how the retailer is doing to meet their commitment
- 50% Retailer has at one point in the past reported publicly how much of their seafood sold meets their commitment by volume/value
- 100% Retailer regularly (at least every two years) reports publicly how much of their seafood sold meets their commitment by volume/value
- Scoring Rubric
Step 5: Does the retailer educate staff, customers and/or vendors about the importance of their commitment to sustainable seafood?
Overall Step Score
Is the retailer educating their employees, customers, suppliers and other key stakeholders about their sustainable seafood commitment, environmental and social issues in seafood, and the importance of traceability?
The step score is based on the average of Step 5 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods is committed to creating materials and training programs to ensure its employees have a thorough understanding of seafood sustainability, the Ocean Wise Seafood Program, and certification standards (such as MSC and ASC) so they can offer their customers advice on sustainable seafood options.
- 0% Training programs not conducted for seafood staff (or no information)
- 50% Training programs are sometimes conducted, or are available only for some seafood staff
- 75% Training programs are conducted for all seafood staff, but infrequently (less than every two years)
- 100% Training programs are regularly (at least every two years) conducted for all seafood staff
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods’ stores educate consumers about its commitment to being an Ocean Wise partner and includes information on Ocean Wise.
- 0% There is no description of the sustainable seafood program in store (or no information)
- 50% This is some description of the sustainable seafood program in store
- 100% There is a comprehensive description of the sustainable seafood program in store
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
All suppliers sign a Code of Conduct that covers all of Buy-Low Foods’ commitment to not source any red-listed products or open-net pen farmed Atlantic salmon and preferentially source MSC/ASC certified products (personal communication, G. Genereux, 15/03/2018).
- 0% Suppliers do not have to sign a Code of Conduct in relation to the retailer's seafood policy (or no information)
- 25% Some suppliers are required to sign a Code of Conduct that covers some of the retailer's seafood policy
- 50% All suppliers must sign a Code of Conduct that covers some of the retailer's seafood policy
- 75% Major suppliers must sign a Code of Conduct that covers all of the retailer's seafood policy
- 100% All suppliers must sign a Code of Conduct that covers all of the retailer's seafood policy
- Scoring Rubric
Step 6: Does the retailer support improvements in fisheries and aquaculture?
Overall Step Score
Does the retailer sell ‘Priority Seafood’ products (products that have high volume of sales in Canadian retail stores and are generally not recommended by the Ocean Wise Seafood Program) or SeaChoice Priority Species (species that enter the supply chain via Canadian fisheries and aquaculture operations with significant sustainability challenges). And if so, do they support improvement and how?
The step score is based on the average of Step 6 key performance indicators (step elements) listed below; click the + signs for more detailed information.
Step Elements
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods does not sell any farmed Atlantic salmon.
- Doesn't sell product or only sells products that are "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or ranked "Best Choice" (Green) by Seafood Watch (100 pts)
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for farming methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve farming practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from farms that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or "Best Choice" by Seafood Watch
- Preferentially sources from farms that are ASC certified
- 0% Sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods preferentially sources ASC certified shrimps and prawns, and when those products are not available sources shrimps and prawns that are at least Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) 2-star certified. It also preferentially sources Ocean Wise recommended and/or Seafood Watch Green rated seafood, such as Selva shrimp (personal communication, G. Genereux, 15/03/2018).
- Doesn't sell product (100 pts)
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for farming methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve farming practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from farms that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or "Best Choice" by Seafood Watch
- Preferentially sources from farms that are ASC certified
- 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods is not currently engaged in any of the following ‘Support Improvement’ actions on skipjack tuna.
- Doesn't sell product or only sells products that are "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or ranked "Best Choice" (Green) by Seafood Watch (100 pts)
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for harvest methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve fishing practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from fisheries that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or rank as a "Best Choice" (Green) by Seafood Watch
- Preferentially sources from fisheries that are MSC certified
- 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities or doesn't sell the product
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods’ highest selling SeaChoice priority species is Pacific rockfish, but it is not currently engaged in any of the following ‘Support Improvement’ actions (personal communication, G. Genereux and C. Li, 15/03/2018).
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for harvest methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve fishing practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from fisheries that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or rank as a "Best Choice" (Green) by Seafood Watch
- Preferentially sources from fisheries that are MSC certified
- 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities
- Scoring Rubric
Scoring Rationale
Buy-Low Foods’ second-highest selling SeaChoice priority species is Atlantic pollock, all of which is recommended by Ocean Wise (personal communication, G. Genereux and C. Li, 15/03/2018).
- Outreach to policymakers to advocate for harvest methods and management to be more environmentally sustainable.
- Is taking action either pre-competitively or independently to influence suppliers or producers to improve fishing practices
- Refrains from advertising the product
- Preferentially sources from fisheries that are either "Recommended" by Ocean Wise or rank as a "Best Choice" by Seafood Watch
- Preferentially sources from fisheries that are MSC certified
- 0% Retailer sells the product and does not support improvements by doing any of the actions listed or no information available
- 20% Retailer is engaged in one action to support improvement
- 40% Retailer is engaged in two actions to support improvement
- 60% Retailer is engaged in three actions to support improvement
- 80% Retailer is engaged in four actions to support improvement
- 100% Retailer is engaged in all support improvement activities
- Scoring Rubric
Buy-Low Foods
Location
British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan
Number of Stores
38
Sustainable Seafood Policy
