Local purchasing policy
Food Basics has made a formal commitment to bring our customers more local products in-store.
The program is based on three guiding principles that will allow us to optimize the access and promotion of local products, making the company:
A unique showcase for regional products
A key partner of Foodland Ontario and associations that promote Ontario products
A key partner for innovative suppliers
The first phase of the implementation will start with a pilot program in the fall, which will then be adapted for the wider provincial market according to the roll-out plan.
This program further solidifies the role that Food Basics will play in highlighting Ontario products in our stores, and commits to a long term plan within our global approach to corporate responsibility.
To find out more about our Local Purchasing Program click here.
Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
We recognize that the health of the oceans and the preservation of natural resources are important
issues, as much for the sustainability of fish and seafood stocks, the protection of biodiversity
and ecosystems, as for the conditions in which workers operate.
Our Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (PDF) covers fresh, frozen and canned fish and seafood. It provides a framework for our sourcing practices and is based on five principles that foster responsible procurement:
Healthy species
Responsible operating methods
Product traceability
Respect for workers
Socioeconomic development
Product traceability is at the heart of our approach. In 2024, we obtained traceability of 97% of our purchases.
We continue to include our “Responsibly sourced product” label on our private brands’ products to promote the principles of our policy to our customers. We also support globally recognized third-party sustainable seafood certifications benchmarked by the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI).
By disclosing complete traceability for all its fish and seafood products through its Ocean Disclosure Project profile, METRO contributes to reinforcing transparency and promoting responsible fishing and aquaculture practices.
For more details on our achievements, see the 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report (PDF).
