Retail Efforts
Just as terminal markets earned credit from the USDA for waste reduction, grocers have been making an effort and received accolades of their own. The USDA and Environmental Protection Agency recognized several retail chains including Ahold, Walmart, Wegmans, and Weis Markets, which were all part of the agencies’ new “U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions” program. In addition, Kroger Company was one of the EPA’s “2016 Food Recovery Challenge” winners for diverting 56 million pounds of perishables from landfills to local food banks.
For its part, Northgate Markets is taking a page from Gills Onions’ playbook and turning food scraps from its California stores into energy, while Lakeland, FL-based Publix Super Markets is a longtime proponent of eco-savvy processes. Publix began its ‘Green Routine’ back in 2001 to educate and encourage workers and customers to think more about energy conservation; the program later expanded to include waste reduction, recycling, and conservation.
Maria Brous, Publix’s director of media and community relations, believes waste prevention and reduction go together. The grocery business, in particular, entails a certain amount of shrink. To reduce waste, the supermarket chain’s perishables recovery program diverts food to relief organizations like Feeding America. “Managing our supply chain is vitally important to waste prevention and reduction,” asserts Brous. “Having the right product at the right time is a great start.” Ordering, proper product handling, and effective merchandising are also key to waste prevention and maintaining margins.
The Future
For companies considering a sustainability program, Pobst suggests adopting a long-term mindset. “Nothing will turn around overnight, so think in terms of long-term change,” she advises. Gradual, small changes will, she notes, “over time, cumulatively produce a measurable effect.”
Both La Luzerne and Rodoni say dedicated sustainability personnel will make any program more effective, but stress that management support is the most important factor for waste prevention efforts. Industry collaboration and support are also pivotal. “Companies need to start taking a proactive approach before it becomes dictated,” Rodoni says. “If we work together as an industry, it will lead to solutions.”
