These newly defined goals set a clear path for the future and demonstrate the company’s continued commitment to care for people, supply products responsibly and protect the planet.
Tom Bené, Sysco’s president and chief executive officer, said: “As the global leader in foodservice distribution, it is our responsibility to operate in a manner that meets the needs of our customers today, while producing positive, lasting change.”
“Our 2025 goals are a solid foundation that further demonstrate our global sustainability commitment. We are leading our industry with our CSR initiatives and by including specific long-term goals that align with our strategic business priorities, we are living our vision of becoming our customers’ most valued and trusted business partner.” He added.
Themed Delivering A Better Tomorrow , Sysco’s 2025 Responsibility Goals are aligned to focus on three key areas: People, Products and Planet.
In the People area, Sysco will take initiative to giving back, doing good and change lives in the communities. The goals include: Donating a total of 200 mn meals and contributing a total of $50 mn to local communities. Increasing ethnic and gender diversity to 62% and spend to 25% with women and minority owned suppliers. Expanded products will also include health and well being products and programs.
In the Products area, Sysco will supply products responsibly by improving animal welfare in the foodservice industry– and minimizing negative environmental, social or ethical impacts when sourcing products. The goals the company has set include: Publishing Sysco’s Animal Welfare Policy and ensuring compliance by all Sysco Brand Suppliers. Identifying and developing responsible sourcing commitments for five key commodities. Ensuring all high-risk suppliers abide by Sysco’s Global Supplier Code of Conduct.
For the Planets area, Sysco will initiate measure to protect the planet by advancing sustainable agriculture practices, reducing the company’s carbon footprint and diverting waste from landfills, in order to protect and preserve the environment for future generations. The company has set the following goals: Doubling the availability of Sysco Brand organic produce. Extending our Sustainable Agriculture program into five fresh crops. Reducing the carbon footprint of our fleet and operations by sourcing 20 % of electricity from renewable sources and powering 20 percent of fleet vehicles with alternative fuels. Diverting 90 % of operations and food waste from landfills.
Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments etc. It has more than 67,000 associates, and operates approximately 330 distribution facilities worldwide, serving more than 600,000 customer locations. For fiscal 2018 that ended on June 30 2018, the company generated sales of more than $58 bn.