Kroger racks up more EPA accolades

CINCINNATI — The Kroger Co. is getting more accolades from the Environmental Protection Agency, this time for its efforts to reduce food waste.  

 

Kroger participated in the EPA's Food Recovery Challenge. The company was named a winner in three categories: Leadership, Innovation, and Education and Outreach. "Kroger is proud to be part of the EPA's Food Recovery Challenge, and honored by this recognition," said Suzanne Lindsay-Walker, Kroger's director of sustainability. "While all of our associates play an essential role in our food recovery operation, our retail operations team in particular deserves credit for bringing that program to life in all of our stores. We remain committed to finding solutions to reduce food waste –- because it is good for business, our communities and the environment."

 

As part of the company's food recovery strategy in grocery stores, Kroger's Perishable Donations Partnership is responsible for the equivalent of 38 million meals of healthy, perishable food donated to local Feeding America food banks to help feed hungry families last year. Kroger's retail operations team has implemented an organic recycling program in 1,000 stores across the country. This program utilizes composting and animal feed to limit the amount of food going into landfills.

 

Kroger was the first major retailer in the United States to develop a clean energy production system that converts food that cannot be sold or donated into clean energy. The facility provides a quarter of the power needed to run the company's Ralphs/Food 4 Less distribution center in Compton, Calif.

 

Read Kroger's annual sustainability report here. 

 

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 375,000 associates who serve customers in 2,631 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 783 convenience stores, 325 fine jewelry stores, 1,293 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S.