Through proceeds from limited-edition reusable bag sales and customer donations, Natural Grocers’ Organic Month campaign raised $113,220 for the Rodale Institute, exceeding its $100,000 goal. “This incredible achievement is thanks to the generosity of our customers and the dedication of our good4u crew, who helped promote the campaign in stores every day,” said Raquel Isely, VP […]
Category: Sustainability News
Sustainability news for grocery retailers and suppliers: recycling, packaging, food waste, energy and emissions.
See all our sustainability coverage in Sustainability.
Posted inSustainability News, Guest Contributors, National, News
Close The Freezer, Open The Margin – Ratchet Effect Of Energy Efficiency
From leaky gaskets to overnight heat loss, small inefficiencies add up fast. As we continue our sustainability series on resource management, we focus this month on the benefits of energy efficiency and how effective energy use can positively impact the bottom line. Alongside labor, a grocery store’s electric bill is typically one of its highest […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Natural Grocers, Southwest, Sustainability News
Natural Grocers To Donate 1% Of Sales On World Food Day
In honor of World Food Day on Oct. 16, Natural Grocers will hold an in-store fundraising campaign benefiting The Cornucopia Institute. The company has pledged to donate 1 percent of sales from all stores nationwide, with a goal of raising more than $45,000 for the nonprofit. By shopping at a Natural Grocers that day, customers will help support The Cornucopia […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, National, News, Sustainability News
Sprouts Farmers Market, Careit Rescue 30M Pounds Of Food Waste
Since August 2022, Sprouts Farmers Market has used the Careit app to track more than 30 million pounds of food donated to 216 nonprofits across the U.S. In addition, more than 14 million pounds of surplus fresh produce has been given to local food-rescue agencies to distribute. Sprouts aims to be a leader in the […]
Posted inProduce News, National, News, Organic Natural, Sustainability News
Dole Food Co. To Participate In OTA’s Organic Week 2025
Charlotte, North Carolina-based Dole Food Co. will participate in Organic Week 2025, taking place Sept. 15-17 in Washington, D.C., and hosted by the Organic Trade Association (OTA). As an event sponsor and one of the few produce supply companies in attendance, Dole will highlight its leadership in the organic category and reaffirm its commitment to […]
Posted inSustainability News, Guest Contributors, National, News
A Resource In The Wrong Place – The Economics Of Grocery Waste
Merchandise loss, also known as shrink or food waste, poses a persistent economic challenge for grocery stores. While the topic may not always provoke an emotional response, by the end of this article, you may find yourself reflecting on the true cost of waste. In fact, you might say you’ve WEPT – a helpful acronym […]
Posted inSustainability News, Corporate Store News, News, Northeast, The Giant Company
The Giant Co., Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Award 37 Improvement Grants
The Giant Co., in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, has revealed the 37 recipients of its 2025 Healing the Planet grant program, awarding $119,022 to support of native tree planting projects across the state. “Every action, big or small, helps create a greener tomorrow,” said Courtney Hopcraft, manager of community relations and charitable giving, The […]
Posted inSustainability News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Commits To Multiyear Project For Coral Reef Restoration
Publix has donated $675,000 to further support coral reef restoration efforts at two national parks in its home state of Florida – Biscayne and Dry Tortugas – through the National Park Foundation (NPF). This was the first donation as part of the company’s $2 million multiyear commitment. Publix first supported coral restoration efforts with NPF […]
Posted inSustainability News, National, News, Whole Foods
Whole Foods, Mad Agriculture Launch National Biodiversity Highway Initiative
Whole Foods Market and Mad Agriculture have collaborated to launch a national biodiversity highway initiative aimed at reconstructing native ecosystems across American farmland. The program, beginning in and around the Lowery Creek Watershed in Wisconsin, seeks to connect climate-resilient habitats restoring biodiversity, improving soil and water health and strengthening the long-term resilience of the food […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast, Sustainability News
NJFC Applauds Legislation To Combat Litter Through Reusable Bag Program
In what will be another tool to fight litter in the Garden State, Gov. Phil Murphy has signed legislation for a permanent annual appropriation of $500,000 to the Clean Communities Program Fund for the New Jersey Food Council’s reusable bag program. The NJFC, NJCCC and Clean Communities Coordinators hailed the signing of the bill and […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, News, Southeast, Sustainability News
SEPC Launches Sustainability Education Series
Beginning this fall, the Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) will roll out a series of sustainability-focused educational offerings that will continue through 2026. The aim is to provide organizations with resources and insights they need to implement sustainability initiatives in ways that best align with their priorities and capacity. Feedback obtained during SEPC’s webinar earlier this […]
Posted inSustainability News, Guest Contributors, National, News
Reduce Turnover By Engaging Employees; Cut Costs With Better Resource Management
As shoppers, we know the feeling of a positive shopping experience when helped by an engaged associate. According to Gallup (2023), companies with highly engaged employees provide an enhanced customer experience, increased customer retention, improved shopper satisfaction, stronger word-of-mouth and reduced churn, resulting in 23 percent higher profits. Conversely, disengaged associates cost employers $8.8 trillion […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Northeast, Sustainability News, The Giant Company
The Giant Co. Brings Back Healing The Planet Grant Program
The Giant Co., in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, has announced the return of the Healing the Planet grant program, which invests in tree plantings across the commonwealth. A total of $112,000 in funding will be awarded to tax-exempt organizations this year. Eligible projects must be shovel ready and include planting trees and direct related […]
Posted inSustainability News, Beverage News, National, News
PepsiCo Refines Sustainability Goals With Updated Targets
PepsiCo has refined its long-term sustainability goals across critical areas including climate, packaging, agriculture and water. The updated targets, which build on about four years of efforts under the company’s “PepsiCo Positive” (pep+) business strategy, aim to create a more resilient business and drive scalable positive impact amidst evolving global realities. Since launching pep+ in […]
Posted inSustainability News, National, News
Mars, Berry Global Transition To Recycled Plastic Packaging
Mars has teamed up with Evansville, Indiana-based Berry Global Group to transition the pantry jars for M&M’s, Skittles and Starburst brands to 100 percent recycled plastic packaging, exclusive of jar lids. The pantry jars are widely recyclable and come in three sizes: 60-, 81- and 87-ounces. This move to 100 percent recycled plastic incorporates mechanically-processed […]
Posted inSustainability News, Center Store, News, Southwest
Deoleo Report Highlights Sustainability Progress
Deoleo, an olive oil producer and maker of brands such as Bertolli, has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, reinforcing its commitment to environmental, social and governance excellence across the global olive oil sector. Deoleo is the first company in the olive oil industry to publish a report aligned with the European Union’s new Corporate Sustainability […]
Posted inSustainability News, Association News, National, News
FMI Becomes First Trade Association To Join U.S. Food Waste Pact
FMI – The Food Industry Association is the first trade organization to join the U.S. Food Waste Pact, the national voluntary agreement focused on reducing food waste in the U.S., co-led by nonprofits ReFED and World Wildlife Fund. FMI joins 20 other companies and organizations that have signed onto the pact, which utilizes the “Target, […]
Posted inSustainability News, National, News
Kind Snacks Introduces Fully Recyclable Paper Wrapper
Kind Snacks has introduced a curbside recyclable paper wrapper pilot program in the U.S. The innovation marks a significant step in achieving a recycle-ready wrapper for the bars category while the brand continues to make progress toward its goal of ensuring all packaging is designed for recyclability by 2030. Made with pulpable paper, Kind’s pilot […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News, Sustainability News
Effective Resource Management Strategies For Cutting Costs, Driving Profits
The most important business in every community is the local grocery store. It is the most visited. It is where the most money is spent, outside of housing and transportation. It supplies more than two-thirds of calories consumed. During the pandemic, the industry had record profit margins. From 2020-22, profit margins averaged 2.73 percent, reaching […]
Posted inSustainability News, News, Northeast
Giant Eagle Advances Sustainability Efforts With Zero Waste Milestone
Giant Eagle Inc. has reached zero waste status across its nine warehouse and manufacturing sites, implementing environmentally-friendly waste-reducing practices across more than 2.7 million square feet in total. The warehouse and manufacturing site milestone is a notable step toward Giant Eagle’s goal to achieve zero waste companywide by 2030. As it tracks its progress, the […]