Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers Inc. has released its 2022 ESG report, showcasing its progress in sustainability, community engagement and values-driven operations.
The report is part of its ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability in all its operations. It is designed to provide customers, investors and stakeholders with an overview of the grocer’s approach to sustainability and social responsibility.
“At Southeastern Grocers, we understand the importance of making informed purchasing decisions that have a positive impact on the environment,” said Anthony Hucker, president and CEO.
“We are committed to being responsible stewards of our planet’s resources, and in 2022, we made significant strides in fulfilling our environmental commitments and implementing sustainable improvements. We believe working together with our customers, supplier partners and communities is key to achieving our environmental goals as we continue leading the way in promoting positive change for the health of our planet and making a lasting impact on future generations.”
The grocer’s ESG report highlights its progress in key areas aligned with six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals addressing hunger, health, education, inequalities, responsible consumption and production and ocean conservation.
In 2022, Southeastern Grocers donated more than $700,000 and 14 million pounds of food to help alleviate hunger, as well as $2.55 million to support crucial emergency assistance, disaster preparedness and relief programs locally in the wake of Hurricane Ian and overseas in support of the citizens of Ukraine.
The grocer also donated more than $1.25 million to Folds of Honor, providing more than 250 educational scholarships to the children and spouses of fallen and disabled military service members; and gave about $2 million in support to various military, health and local community initiatives.
The grocer is also working to include an average of 30 percent post-consumer recycled material in all Own Brand packaging. Southeastern Grocers continues to collaborate with supplier partners and stakeholders to work toward achieving sustainable product and packaging goals.
Southeastern Grocers recently formed a partnership with Relocalize to pilot ice manufacturing in the world’s first autonomous micro-factory, designed to help eliminate middle-mile logistics to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, water waste and plastic pollution. This process launched in March with the introduction of SE Grocers Party Cubes, a cubed ice made efficiently, locally and on-demand for select locations.
For more information about SEG’s sustainability efforts and to view the grocer’s 2022 ESG report, visit segrocers.com/sustainability.
