New Network Aims to Get ‘Backyards Buzzing’
The National Pollinator Garden Network made its debut yesterday.
The network is made up of dozens of conservation and gardening organizations that have collaborated to launch a nationwide campaign the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge.
Designed to accelerate growing efforts across America, the Network is launching the challenge in support of President Barack Obama’s call to reverse the decline of pollinating insects, such as honeybees and native bees along with monarch butterflies.
The Network, which is comprised of 1 million active gardeners and 15,000 schoolyard gardens, is proposing the challenge of adding an additional one million pollinator gardens by the end of 2016.
“Through the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge, anyone in urban, suburban, [or] rural communities can make a difference by planting for pollinators and joining together in an effort to create and enhance one million pollinator gardens,” said Laurie Adams the executive director of the Pollinator Partnership. “The need is huge to get backyards buzzing.”
Yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama was joined by Network representatives in the White House garden to formally launch the challenge.
You can learn more about the National Pollinator Garden Network and the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge at www.millionpollinatorgardens.org.
Wal-Mart Announces Second Wave of Raises
In the coming weeks, Wal-Mart plans to give raises to more than 100,000 U.S. employees including some department managers and deli workers. Earlier this year the mass merchandiser announced it was raising its minimum wages for 500,000 workers. A Wal-Mart spokesperson said the raises are intended to “help reduce turnover and increase retention” of employees. The increases are part of a $1 billion program that will also include more employee training and flexible scheduling.
Lowe’s, Depot Continue to Battle for Men and Women Shoppers
Both Lowe’s and the Home Depot announced that their first quarter comp sales were up this year, but the top two home improvement retailers continue to battle when it comes to acquiring new customers. According to one study, since 2013, Home Depot has been winning that battle. Prosper’s Consumer Equity Index compares shopper loyalty over a given time period. The latest index shows Lowe’s shares of male and female shoppers have decreased 10 percent while the Home Depot’s share male shoppers increased 5 percent and female shoppers was up 2 percent.
Analysts: Costco Tops Organics Grocers List
It appears that Costco Wholesale has passed Whole Foods and taken over the top spot as the largest organic grocer in the United States. Financial analysts at BMO Capital Markets report that the warehouse club’s annual sales of organic products has passed the $4 billion mark while Whole Foods annual sales of organic products is approximately $3.6 billion. According to the Organic Trade Association, overall organic food sales is approximately $36 billion annually.
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