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Smithfield Foods Unveils Sustainability Achievements and Progress in 22nd Annual ReportSustainability impact report details company's progress toward ambitious goals and targets SMITHFIELD, Va., April 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Smithfield Foods released its 22nd annual sustainability impact report detailing sustainability goal achievements and renewed commitments that continue to drive the production of safe, wholesome and nutritious food responsibly. "Smithfield remained resilient and made significant progress on our sustainability journey." "Despite the difficult industry environment our company and industry faced in 2023, Smithfield remained resilient and made significant progress on our sustainability journey," said Stewart Leeth, chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods. "We have a clear path forward that builds momentum on our 22-year commitment of being good stewards, doing good work and producing good food." Highlights of Smithfield's sustainability impact report include: Good Stewards Creating clean, renewable energy: In 2023, Smithfield completed a $150 million renewable natural gas (RNG) project, the largest of its kind, installing manure-to-energy technology on nearly all company-owned hog finishing farms in Missouri. The company is on track to achieve its target to install biogas systems on 90% of finishing farms for U.S. company and contract locations by 2030. Reducing emissions: By using alternative feed ingredients, Smithfield reduced greenhouse gas emissions associated with feed by more than 100,000 tons from a 2010 baseline. Reducing landfill waste: Smithfield reduced its production-weighted solid waste to landfills by approximately 60% compared with a 2010 baseline. Through its bakery upcycling program, the company produced 3,500 tons of bakery meal per week, diverting more than 179,000 tons of food waste from landfills in 2023 and more than 1.1 billion pounds since January 2021. Reducing food loss and waste: Smithfield participates in USDA's U.S Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions initiative and has reduced food waste at its distribution centers by 30% through improvements to inventory management and product handling. Good Work Diversity, culture and engagement: In 2023, Smithfield's production facility spending with minority-owned businesses topped $83 million. Supporting farmers: All of Smithfield's U.S. company-owned sow farms were converted to group housing several years ago, and the company supports contract farmers interested in converting their facilities to group housing. Currently 42% of U.S. contract farmers are operating group housing systems. The company's agronomics program, SmithfieldGro, helps farmers in its supply chain reduce crop inputs and improve crop yields by investing in carbon reduction and conservation methods. Worker safety: Smithfield achieved safety incident rates below industry averages again in 2023. Good Food Health and wellness: Smithfield remains on track to increase transparency of food nutrition through cleaner labels and is committed to reducing added sugars and sodium by 10% across its entire U.S. product line by 2025. Smithfield was the first major protein company to adopt and publicly report sustainability efforts, beginning with its first sustainability impact report in 2001. The company's sustainability program is guided by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards, the IFRS Foundation's SASB Standards (SASB) and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, and is grounded in seven pillars organized according to its principles for doing good. Smithfield's 2023 sustainability impact report is available at smithfieldfoods.com/2023sustainabilityreport. To view Smithfield's previous 21 annual sustainability impact reports, please visit smithfieldfoods.com/sustainability/resource-center/archive/. About Smithfield Foods, Inc.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smithfield-foods-unveils-sustainability-achievements-and-progress-in-22nd-annual-report-302116728.html SOURCE Smithfield Foods, Inc. |