Doing good for our Earth is a standard many in our industry have adopted. Companies like Smithfield Foods are taking sustainability initiatives in high regard, and the merits truly shine through. Recently, the meat purveyor released its 2021 Sustainability Impact Report, the company’s 20th, outlining its holistic approach to responsible food production and efforts to produce Good Food, do Good Work, and be Good Stewards of its animals and the environment.
Additionally, the report commemorates 20 years of industry sustainability leadership and milestones focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).
“Since the genesis of our sustainability program in 2001, our unwavering commitment to continuous improvement has spurred extensive research and investments across our value chain that have led us to pioneer efforts addressing some of the greatest challenges and opportunities facing our industry," said Shane Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our 2021 Sustainability Impact Report commemorates the 20th anniversary of our industry-leading program and demonstrates how ‘Good Is What We Do’ as a company for our people, animals, communities, and planet. In addition to outlining the continual progress we are forging across our sustainability pillars, the report highlights many of the important lessons we've learned and innovations we have implemented to date.”
The vertically integrated protein producer designed an integrated sustainability model, creating value and supporting best business practices in animal care; diversity, equity, and inclusion; environmental stewardship; food safety and quality; health and wellness; community development; and worker health and safety.
As noted in the release, Smithfield is making progress toward its emissions reduction and carbon-negative goals as a result of ongoing initiatives across the company to shrink its environmental footprint.
“For Smithfield, sustainability has been a top priority for more than two decades—and our progress has not been achieved overnight. We started with long-term, big aspirational goals—our first was to be an environmental leader —then developed clear strategies to achieve them,” said Stewart Leeth, Chief Sustainability Officer. “Through this process, we began leading the industry in many ‘first-ever’ achievements, including becoming the first-ever protein and livestock company to obtain ISO certification in 2005 for every facility and every farm. Those achievements continue to the present day, with our industry-first absolute carbon reduction goals announced in 2016 and 2020.”
Continue reading the efforts and initiatives Smithfield is implementing here.
Here’s to companies continuing to provide cleaner products through cleaner practices.
