Outlined in its latest annual corporate sustainability report, the business had set a target of reducing its non-renewable energy usage by 10% by 2020 however a full year ahead of schedule, it has achieved this goal.
"We are making the world a better place by investing in our people and partners, improving communities around the world and creating products that improve the lives of others," said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Hormel Foods. "I am extremely proud of our accomplishments as a leading corporate citizen and of all of our team members, partners and suppliers who are part of our efforts. Together we are making meaningful progress on Our Food Journey and will continue to do so."
The business also highlighted that it remains on track to reduce project packaging by 25 million pounds by 2020, having already met its goal to reduce solid waste sent to landfills and water use by 10% by 2020. Hormel expects to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal in 2020 as it works with partners to bring a 74 MW renewable wind field online.
Hormel Foods also helped launch the Cedar River Watershed Partnership – a public-private partnership aimed at improving water quality in this watershed in its supply chain.
Animal welfare audits
To ensure the accountability of its animal care standards throughout its supply chain, more than 2,000 audits were conducted. In addition, Hormel Foods along with other food companies, retailers, livestock producers and trade and professional associations announced a comprehensive framework to strengthen stewardship of antibiotic use in food animals in 2018. The framework was part of a two-year dialog with stakeholders, moderated by the Farm Foundation and Pew Charitable Trusts, to ensure that antibiotics are used judiciously throughout production to protect animal health and public health.
On the health side, Hormel launched over 600 new retail and foodservice items, with many targeted toward its sodium reduction and clean-label initiative efforts.
It also continued its focus on inclusion and diversity, provided approximately 488,000 total hours on training (or around 26 hours of training per team member) and completed more than 1,000 safety assessments each month companywide to help ensure the safety of its team members.
The company donated more than $15m in cash and products, which included $7.2m in hunger donations, its donation of 2.5 million cans of SPAMMY, a shelf-stable poultry product to help prevent childhood malnutrition in Guatemala, and more than $967,000 in education donations.