Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. has released its 2024 Sustainability Report, highlighting the company’s values and practices to human health, animal welfare and the planet. “At Natural Grocers, we see grocery stores as a vital link in the food chain – integral to the health of people and the planet,” said Kemper Isely, co-president. […]
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 inSupply Chain News, National, Sustainability News
Aldi Joins Supplier LOCT Initiative To Reduce Carbon Emissions
Aldi, along with Avantor and McCain Foods, has joined the Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition (Supplier LOCT), a consortium launched in 2021 to accelerate progress toward science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets. The new members join a group of sustainability leaders from across the globe that are dedicated to reducing Scope 3 carbon emissions. “Suppliers […]
Posted inSustainability News, Corporate Store News, Northeast
King Kullen Adds Facilio To Prepare For EPA Changes
Long Island-based supermarket chain King Kullen has selected Facilio’s Connected Retail software platform to automate its refrigeration compliance management and stay ahead of the upcoming Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory changes, especially the AIM Act Emissions Reduction and Reclamation Regulations. “The U.S. is facing the biggest shift in refrigerant regulations since they were created in […]
Posted inProduce News, National, Sustainability News
IFPA CEO Burns Highlights ‘Fight For Fresh’ During Industry Address
Kicking off the annual International Fresh Produce Association State of the Industry keynote with a recap of various advocacy victories in 2024, IFPA CEO Cathy Burns highlighted the impact fresh produce and floral have on people, plates and the planet. “While it’s challenging to maintain connection today, whether watching TV or scrolling social media, the […]
Posted inProduce News, National, Sustainability News
Sprouts Expands Sustainability Partnership With IFCO
Phoenix, Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market and Tampa, Florida-based IFCO, a provider of reusable packaging solutions for fresh foods, report that they have made significant advancements in their ongoing partnership. The arrangement began in December 2020 with a pilot program at Sprouts that focused on the use of reusable packaging containers (RPCs) for fresh produce items packed […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest, Sustainability News
Niman Ranch Names 2024 Sustainable Farm Of The Year
Niman Ranch has recognized the Hundling family of Breda, Iowa, as the 2024 Sustainable Farm of the Year. This accolade honors the Hundlings for their land stewardship and ongoing commitment to the principles of regenerative agriculture. For Brice and Melanie Hundling, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword. Their multi-species, biodiverse farm is a model of sustainable […]
Posted inMeijer, Midwest, Sustainability News
Meijer Earns EPA Recognition For Lowest Refrigerant Emissions Rate
For the fourth consecutive year, Meijer has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill Program for having the lowest corporate-wide refrigerant emissions rate out of all GreenChill partners nationwide over the past year. A participant in the EPA’s program since 2012, the Midwest retailer has focused on reducing its refrigerant leak rate, which […]
Posted inMeijer, Midwest, Sustainability News
Meijer Reaches Carbon Emissions Reduction Goal Ahead Of Schedule
Meijer has surpassed its 2025 sustainability goal of cutting carbon emissions by 50 percent – one year ahead of schedule. The retailer set a target in 2022 to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent compared to 2018 levels. The target has not only been met but surpassed, achieving a 57 percent […]
Posted inSustainability News, Aldi, National
Aldi Introduces Goal To Reach Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions By 2050
The Aldi South Group has shared its goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across its entire value chain by 2050, making it one of the first international grocery retailers with such targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). SBTi is a corporate climate action organization that helps companies play their part in […]
Posted inSustainability News, National, Whole Foods
Report: Gen Z Looking For Transparency In Food Sustainability, Quality
Gen Z consumers are placing an emphasis on sustainability and quality in their grocery products, and many are willing to spend more to support brands that reflect these values, according to a recent YouGov survey conducted on behalf of Whole Foods Market. The findings, released Sept. 23, examine Gen Z food, health and grocery shopping […]
Posted inSustainability News, Hy-Vee, Midwest
Hy-Vee, Alliant Energy Complete Solar Project In Chariton, IA
The first phase of Hy-Vee and Alliant Energy’s Hy-Vee Chariton Solar Field in Chariton, Iowa, is operational and will generate enough energy to power 360 homes each year. A ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 30 featured remarks from Iowa Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg; Mayuri Farlinger, president of Alliant’s Iowa energy company; Steven Venegas, Hy-Vee’s EVP of supply […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, New Seasons Market, Sustainability News, West
New Seasons Market Begins Grant Initiative For Local Farmers, Ranchers
New Seasons Market has teamed up with Zero Foodprint to kick off the Restore Northwest Grant Program, providing direct financial support to local farmers and ranchers to improve sustainability. “We believe in fostering an environment where sustainability and the prosperity of our local partners go hand-in-hand,” said Athena Petty, senior manager of sustainability at New Seasons Market. “This grant […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National, Organic Natural, Sustainability News, Walmart
Walmart, Denali Roll Out Organic Recycling, Reuse Technology
Walmart is partnering with Denali, the nation’s largest recycler of organic materials, to roll out innovative depackaging services to help improve the food waste recycling process at more than 1,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations nationwide. The depackaging technology aims to help drive operational efficiencies for Walmart enterprise associates. Based on early testing, it has […]
Posted inFood Lion, Corporate Store News, Southeast, Sustainability News
Food Lion Introduces New Store In Garner, NC
Food Lion will open a new store July 24 at 55 Ford Meadows Drive in Garner, North Carolina, following a 7:45 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. Afterward, the first 100 customers in line will receive a mystery gift card valued up to $200 and a free reusable shopping bag. “Our Garner community has always trusted us to […]
Posted inSustainability News, Association News, Northeast
Reusable Bag Redistribution Project Supports NJ Communities
In a limited rollout over the past year, the New Jersey Clean Communities Council – in cooperation with a key partner, Goatote, and other stakeholders – launched a plan through which residents can donate unwanted reusable grocery bags to local food banks and pantries. During that span, the NJCCC estimates that hundreds of thousands of […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Northeast, Packaging News, Sustainability News
North Coast Seafoods Introduces 100% Recyclable Packaging
North Coast Seafoods, an importer, processor and supplier of sustainably sourced seafood, has partnered with Australia-based Disruptive Packaging to introduce a new innovation: 100 percent recyclable and reusable packaging. For the past decade, North Coast Seafoods has been searching for sustainable, recyclable packaging alternatives to non-recyclable packaging that are scalable across its operations. However, being recyclable alone […]
Posted inSustainability News, Independent Store News, National
REAP Grants Available To Independent Grocers For Store Upgrades
Independent food retailers across the United States have an opportunity to fund store upgrades that reduce operational costs, improve profits and enhance sustainability. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides grants to rural small businesses for energy efficiency improvements (such as HVAC, lighting, and refrigeration) and renewable […]
Posted inPackaging News, Northeast, Sustainability News
New ShopRite Recycling Kiosks Accept Flexible Packaging
ShopRite and its private label brands, Paperbird and Bowl & Basket, are collaborating with P&G, Purina, Campbell’s Snacks and TerraCycle to launch a recycling program for flexible-film plastic packaging at five of the grocer’s stores in New Jersey. The kiosks offer customers a place to drop off all types of otherwise hard-to-recycle flexible packaging. The […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Midwest, Sustainability News
Solar Field To Boost Fareway Sustainability Efforts
A new partnership has given Fareway Stores access to solar power after Alliant Energy placed a one-megawatt Fareway Solar Field – consisting of about 2,000 solar panels – at the grocer’s distribution center in Boone Industrial Park. The energy company will own, operate and maintain the Fareway Solar Field as part of the Alliant Energy […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast, Sustainability News, Weis Markets
Weis Markets Reports Progress in 2023 Sustainability Report
Weis Markets has released its 2023 Sustainability Report: Doing Good for Food, Friends and Nature, which details the company’s progress in reducing its overall environmental impact in its seven-state market area. The report reviews Weis Markets’ continued efforts to conserve resources, embrace green design and reduce environmental impact. Since 2008, the company has reduced its […]