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<h1>Midwest Grows Green: Point-of-Purchase Program<a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/MWGG-Shelf-Talker-in-use-image-2.jpg"><img class="alignright  wp-image-2549" src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/MWGG-Shelf-Talker-in-use-image-2-300x259.jpg" alt="MWGG Shelf Talker in use image 2" width="308" height="266" /></a></h1>
<em>This Midwest Grows Green program informs and connects homeowners to eco-friendly lawn and garden products to reduce the use of harmful pesticides.</em>

Midwest Grows Green’s Point-of-Purchase retailer program is a partnership with local hardware, home, and garden supply stores designed to promote safer, eco-friendly alternatives to conventional lawn care products. The goal of the program is to use clear labeling of products at the point-of-purchase to encourage consumers to buy more sustainable products.  This empowers consumers to make purchasing decisions that decrease the negative health and environmental  impacts of the overuse of fertilizers and dangerous pesticides.

<a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/MWGG-Tag-V5.jpg"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-2365" src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/MWGG-Tag-V5-300x187.jpg" alt="MWGG Tag V5" width="245" height="153" /></a>Many environmentally-conscious consumers prefer to use eco-friendly products but are not well-informed about their options. To help customers make informed decisions, participating retailers use MPAC-designed “Eco-Friendly” shelf tags and shelf talkers so that shoppers can easily identify their organic, natural, and least-toxic products. MPAC also distributes a <a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/MWGG-Tips-on-Keeping-Yards-Green-and-Waters-Clean.jpg">pamphlet</a> of tips on using natural lawn care in-stores. Homeowners can also consult our <a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Eco-Friendly-Product-Guide-for-Customers.pdf">Eco-Friendly Lawn Care Product Guide</a> online to inform their future purchasing decisions or learn more about the products they already use.<a name="Homeowners"></a>

Continue reading for: <a href="#Homeowners">Resources for Homeowners,</a> <a href="#Benefits">What are the benefits of MWGG Retailer Participation?,</a> <a href="#Retailers">Resources for Partner Retailers</a>
<h2>Resources for Homeowners</h2>
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<h4><strong>Eco-Friendly Lawn Care Product Guide for Consumers</strong></h4>
This guide is intended to help consumers identify products that minimize the risk of harm to family, pets, and the environment from pesticides. Consult this guide to find eco-friendly products to control common lawn and garden pests such as weeds, disease, and insects. Also listed are natural and organic fertilizers that promote healthy, naturally pest-resistant lawns.

[caption id="attachment_2304" align="alignnone" width="198"]<a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Eco-Friendly-Product-Guide-for-Customers.pdf"><img class="wp-image-2304" src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Eco-Friendly-Product-Guide-for-Customers-image-231x300.jpg" alt="Eco-Friendly-Product-Guide-for-Customers  image" width="198" height="257" /></a> Click to view the Guide.[/caption]

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<h4><strong>Map of Participating Retailers</strong></h4>
See which Chicago-area stores are participating in our Midwest Grows Green Retailer Pilot Program. These stores carry eco-friendly lawn and garden products identified in our Product Guide and label them with the MPAC-certified Eco-Friendly shelf tags.

[caption id="attachment_2312" align="alignnone" width="425"]<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z0NpuST4PjXo.kc1Y1GG5_2jI&amp;usp=sharing"><img class="wp-image-2312" src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Map-of-Participating-Retailers-Pilot-300x204.jpg" alt="Map of Participating Retailers- Pilot" width="425" height="289" /></a> Click to view the map.[/caption]

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<h2>What are the benefits of MWGG Retailer Participation?</h2>
MPAC works closely with recruited retailers to make them comfortable with the program and provides all instruction and materials free of charge. Retailers in turn agree to use the MWGG tags and talkers as described in the MWGG guide provided and give feedback on the program's effectiveness.  The benefits include:
<ol>
	<li><strong>Boosting your store’s image as an environmentally-friendly business.</strong> Consumers are showing a growing preference for sustainable products through their purchasing choices.Your store’s participation in the Midwest Grows Green Program will increase your appeal to environmentallyconsciouscustomers.</li>
	<li><strong>Increasing your sales of less-toxic, environmentally-friendly products.</strong> Visual resources, including the shelf channel tags and shelf talkers, will make it easier for customers to identifyeco-friendly products. This may bring you increased business from the many individuals who would prefer touse less toxic lawn care products but are not well-informed about their options.</li>
	<li><strong>Inclusion in List of Participating Retailers.</strong> MPAC will publish a list of retailers participating in the Midwest Grows Green on both our website andcustomer guide/info pieces. We<a name="Retailers"></a> will create a Google Map of participating retailers with contact information,providing publicity for you and connecting customers to your store.</li>
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<strong>Retailers interested in participating in the program can contact MPAC at (773) 878-7378 or by emailing us at <a href="mailto:general@pesticideaction.org">general@pesticideaction.org</a> with a subject line of “MWGG Retailer Program."</strong>
<h2>Resources for Partner Retailers</h2>
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<h4>Midwest Grows Green: Guide for Participating Retailers</h4>
This guide contains instructions and guidelines for retailers who are participating in the MWGG Point-of-Purchase pilot program. If you are a retailer who is interested in the program, follow this link to learn more.

[caption id="attachment_2568" align="alignnone" width="239"]<a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Guide-for-Participating-Retailers-no-margin-space.pdf"><img class="wp-image-2568" src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Guide-for-Participating-Retailers-Cover-233x300.jpg" alt="Guide for Participating Retailers Cover" width="239" height="307" /></a> Click to view the Guide.[/caption]

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<h4>Eco-Friendly Lawn Care Product Guide for Retailers</h4>
This guide lists products that meet MPAC's standards to qualify for use with the Eco-Friendly shelf tags. Retailers may also consult this guide to find ideas for new products to stock that may appeal to environmentally-conscious consumers.

[caption id="attachment_2567" align="alignnone" width="194"]<a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Eco-Friendly-Product-Guide-for-Retailers.pdf"><img class="wp-image-2567" src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Product-Guide-for-Retailers-Cover-231x300.jpg" alt="Product Guide for Retailers Cover" width="194" height="251" /></a> A link will be provided to participating retailers.[/caption]

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<strong><a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/midwest-grows-green/">Return</a> to the Midwest Grows Green homepage to learn more about how reducing the use of pesticides by adopting natural lawn care can benefit the health of your community and the environment.</strong>