April is Earth Month. Specifically, April 22 was deemed “Earth Day” back in 1970. I remember it well. Thousands of boomers, then high school and college students, gathered on Philadelphia’s Belmont Plateau for music and messaging about the state of planet Earth. The message was a warning of things to come if no immediate action was taken. After witnessing the remains of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA, then-U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin decided that he had to do something to make our planet a better place to live. At that time, there were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment. The first Earth Day had rare bi-partisan support and subsequently led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act. Fast forward to 2022 and we are still searching for ways to “Invest in Our Planet,” this year’s Earth Day theme, as the climate change situation grows more foreboding every day. Even England’s Prince Charles, a longtime supporter of climate change initiatives, has been warning of the dire consequences of inaction, stating that the evidence is “unequivocal” that plastics, which are polluting our water and entering our food chains, are also poisoning our bodies.
These warnings have not gone unnoticed by the retail food industry. As we went to press, Albertsons announced the launch of long-term goals and strategies focused on maximizing the company’s positive impact across four pillars: planet, people, product and community. The company’s new environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework, called “Recipe for Change,” further solidifies Albertsons’ commitment to using its national presence and resources to drive meaningful, proactive change. “As a long-standing neighborhood grocer, we have an ongoing commitment to leverage our resources and expertise to support the communities we serve and the planet we share,” said Vivek Sankaran, CEO of Albertsons. “Today, we are unveiling ambitious and measurable goals that will challenge us to be even more deliberate and creative about how we lead positive change.” The company’s chief sustainability and transformation officer, Suzanne Long, will oversee the execution of Albertsons’ ESG strategy and sustainability agenda. She has been leading the company’s ESG efforts since late 2020. “Albertsons has made substantial progress driving sustainability practices in our operations, including reducing energy and fuel consumption, implementing recycling programs, and fighting food insecurity in our local neighborhoods,” said Long. “’Recipe for Change’ is about broadening our existing commitments so we can have an even greater impact.” That means Albertsons has committed to fighting climate change by reducing carbon emissions through science-based targets; eliminating food waste, reducing the use of plastic, and accelerating its transition to a more circular economy; reducing food insecurity at a local level; and cultivating a diverse workforce and providing equal opportunity for all associates. Big, but attainable goals.
The Giant Company (TGC), in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, announced the return of its “Healing the Planet” grant program earlier this month. This year, grant awards will go to projects aimed at improving the health and quality of waterways to help protect water resources and improve the overall health of communities. “Last year’s grant recipients demonstrated that no matter how big or how small a project may be, you can make a difference in healing our planet,” said Jessica Groves, community impact manager, TGC. “As we again partner with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, this year we are shifting the focus to projects centered around our waterways and water conservation. Water is crucial for sustaining life which is why we need to protect our water resources for today and for the future.” A total of $300,000 in funding is available, with grants to be awarded at the $2,500, $5,000, or $10,000 funding levels. Awardees will be announced in June. Last year, 42 recipients received more than $500,000 in funding through the grant program in support of projects that aimed to build environmental stewardship by connecting people and families to community green spaces, supporting environmental efforts, and building community gardens. Shannon Reiter, president of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful said: “We are honored to once again partner with TGC to provide opportunities to make a difference in the health of local waterways and communities.” As part of this initiative, the company is also committed to plastic bag recycling and plastic reduction efforts, zero-waste initiatives, a solar field and bee pollinator habitat, energy-efficient fixtures in-stores, and sustainably sourced seafood, coffee and tea. In addition, customers are also invited to support TGC’s Healing the Planet initiatives.
In related news, Wegmans has announced that it will eliminate plastic bags company-wide by the end of this year. With this decision, the goal is to shift all customers to reusable bags, the best option to solve the environmental challenge of single-use grocery bags, according to the company. “We understand shoppers are accustomed to receiving plastic bags at checkout and losing that option requires a significant change. We are here to help our customers with this transition as we focus on doing what’s right for the environment,” said Jason Wadsworth, Wegmans’ category merchant for packaging, energy and sustainability. “As we’ve encountered plastic bag legislation in numerous markets, we’ve learned there’s more we can do, and a bigger impact we can make, together with our customers.” Wegmans will incentivize the use of reusable bags by charging five cents per paper bag, an approach that has proven successful in New York and other markets. In stores where the company has already eliminated plastic bags, on average, paper bags are used for 20 to 25 percent of transactions, while the remaining 75 to 80 percent use reusable bags, or no bag at all. I switched to reusable bags many years ago and you all should too. My collection is legendary.
As part of the company’s commitment in bringing responsibly grown and sourced food to its customers, Sprouts Farmers Market will host its first-ever “Our Brands”-focused Sustainability Vendor Summit June 21-24. The virtual event, hosted in partnership with ECRM and RangeMe, will allow Sprouts to discover new suppliers to support the continued expansion of Sprouts branded items in most departments. “At Sprouts, we believe that doing good extends beyond selling healthy products,” said Jac Ross, VP of our brands. “Our long-term growth strategy is rooted in sustainability efforts that improve our business while caring for our customers, team members, local communities and planet.” You can learn more about Sprouts’ ESG initiatives at sprouts.com/sustainability.
Retailers cannot bear the burden of saving the planet alone. On the supplier side, one company has taken a bold step forward in meeting environmental and consumer demand. Silver Fern Farms, New Zealand’s largest red meat producer exporting its grass-fed product to 60 countries, including the U.S. for four decades, says its ‘Net Carbon Zero by Nature’ product is a further step along its journey to being climate positive and regenerative by 2030. Silver Fern Farm’s approach is unique as it utilizes “insetting”. This means the carbon credits needed to offset the emissions of the product are found by working with farmers to optimize the role that the farms where the animals are raised can play in acting as carbon sinks, rather than having to rely on purchasing carbon credits from other projects. “Taking care of our emissions is our own responsibility, no-one else’s,” says Silver Fern Farms CEO Simon Limmer. “We are not outsourcing our emissions, rather we are recognizing and incentivizing our farmers for their efforts to create farm environments that are better able to capture carbon, increase biodiversity and support nature positive food production.” Effective March 7 consumers can purchase USDA-approved Net Carbon Zero by Nature branded Angus Rib-Eye and New York Strip steaks, ground beef and other cuts in the Metro New York and Los Angeles markets. Limmer says that U.S. consumers and its own New Zealand cooperative farmers are more conscious than ever of the environment in which their food is raised. “In New Zealand we have a deep connection to nature and caring for the environment is part of who we are. With our Net Carbon Zero range we want to show we can produce great tasting red meat in way that is better for the planet.” Recognizing that 96% of beef emissions occur on the farm, in 2018 Silver Fern Farms commenced a program to map and measure the sequestration potential from the many types of vegetation present on New Zealand farms. Satellite technology, aided by increasingly sophisticated AI software, has been used to measure on-farm vegetation to within 0.5 of a meter, enabling a calculation of each individual farm’s ability to sequester carbon. “The commitment by our farmers to whole-of-farm accountability is real, it runs deep,” says Limmer. “In the last couple of years many farmers have been tracking and managing emissions on their farms and in October over 1000 Silver Fern Farm farmers attended workshops in every part of New Zealand to calculate their emissions and move towards having emissions management plans.” Silver Fern Farms says the Net Carbon Zero By Nature Angus steaks and ground beef will have exactly the same bold, nutrient dense, and unmatched texture of its 100% grass-fed suite of meat cuts. “Nothing has changed in terms of our famous 100% grass-fed taste profile,” says Limmer. “All of our cattle browse outside in nature all year-round on a diverse diet of rich clover and rye grasses, on farms that can increasingly offset the emissions they produce. This is truly beef made better. They plan to play a global leadership role in driving sustainability in the red meat sector and is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the company’s value chain.
And now I ask the question to you, our readers: What are you, your families and your respective companies doing to help save our planet? All of Mother Earth’s living creatures, including we humans, are depending on your participation.
Some of our favorite shows are back with in-person events coming up in the next few months. IDDBA 2022 will be held in Atlanta June 5-7. In her letter announcing the return of the in-person show, Whitney Atkins, VP of marketing at IDDBA said, “After missing each of you for the last two years, our board members and staff are proud to be bringing our community back together and continue IDDBA’s mission to expand our leadership role in promoting the growth and development of dairy, deli, and bakery sales in the food industry.” Amen to that. The lineup of speakers is growing and at press time features: Dale Earnhardt Jr.; Jon Dorenbos; Kindra Hall; Dennis Snow; and Mike Eardley, IDDBA president, who will give his annual recap of the dairy, deli and bakery industry. Monday night features a special performance by Tim McGraw. Hope to see y’all there!
Another food industry favorite, the Summer Fancy Food Show has announced a schedule adjustment for the 2022 show. Run by the Specialty Food Association (SFA), the show dates are June 12-14 at the Javits Center in New York City. This year the hours will be 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday and Monday, and 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, a change from years past. “A survey of all exhibitors and attendees overwhelmingly recommended we continue with the adjusted scheduling allowing for more flexibility with networking connections,” said Bill Lynch, president of the SFA. “After more than three years, we are excited to gather with the specialty food community in New York City for what we anticipate will be a sold-out show.”
The circle of life continues as we send condolences to the family of Warminster ShopRite owner Joe Cowhey, who passed away on April 5. The full obituary is on page 2. I knew Joe from his days in the mid-1980s at Dietz & Watson, where he was selling deli meats under the tutelage of George Griffin and, like many of us, went to every event possible and graced the pages of this publication often. I saw him after many years when I moved to Bucks County and shopped at the ShopRite that he had recently purchased. Over the years, I have come to know his twin daughters, Kara and Kelsey and his entire store team. Joe did so much for his community with little fanfare. He truly made a difference in numerous lives in Bucks County and will be missed. Rest in peace.
Taking another spin around the sun this lovely month of April are: Lou Eni Jr., Dietz & Watson; Ed Herr, Herr Foods; Theresa Lowden, JOH; Ron Benjamin, Affinity; Scott Vicari, PromoPoint Marketing; and Dominic Botto, Botto’s Sausage. Buon compleanno a tutti!
Quote of the month: “There’s a way to do it better — find it.” Thomas Edison
Maria can be reached at [email protected]
