US Foods Holding Corp. is aiming to bolster its sustainability strategy as it recently announced new plans to convert all of its trucks at its California broadline distribution centers. With aims to reduce its carbon footprint, the foodservice distributor is transitioning from traditional diesel fuel to renewable diesel (RD) fuel by mid-2022. The company will also add 30 electric trucks to its La Mirada, CA, distribution center by the end of 2023.
“At US Foods, delivering products by truck is core to our business, and we continually work to improve the transportation efficiency of our fleet,” said Gautam Grover, Senior Vice President of Operations Excellence. “Fleet sustainability projects like our RD fuel conversions and electric truck integrations directly contribute to our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint, and we look forward to expanding these efforts.”
According to a press release, the company previously reported a 7.3 percent reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions intensity since 2015 and a 6.9 percent reduction in gallons of fuel used per case delivered. In 2021, US Foods successfully converted 100 percent of the fleet fuel used at its Vista, CA, broadline distribution center to RD fuel.
RD fuel is a more sustainable alternative to traditional diesel, with a more than 65 percent lower carbon intensity rating, the press release explained. By the end of the month, the company will complete three additional RD fuel conversions at its Corona, Livermore, and La Mirada, CA, locations. The company also intends to utilize RD fuel at its newest distribution center in Sacramento, CA, which is planned to open later this year.
The La Mirada onsite fueling station covers US Foods’ largest network of localized fleets that service restaurants, hospitals, and other foodservice operators across the West Coast. Additionally, US Foods will introduce 15 electric trucks to its La Mirada fleet this year, with plans underway to install smart charging infrastructure at the facility to accommodate an additional 15 electric trucks by the end of 2023.
Deli Market News will keep an eye on the foodservice sector and initiatives to drive growth and profitability.
