Kroger awarded for no-food-waste policy

The Kroger Co. has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its efforts around sustainable food management.

Kroger participated in the EPA’s 2016 Food Recovery Challenge and was named Region 5 Winner in the Grocers category.

“We remain committed to our goal of meeting and exceeding the EPA’s zero waste threshold in our facilities by 2020,” said Suzanne Lindsay-Walker, Kroger’s director of sustainability.

Through the program, 56 million pounds of fresh food – the equivalent of more than 46 million meals – was donated to local food banks. In 2016, Kroger’s distribution centers launched efforts to become zero waste.

“Kroger reduced its carbon footprint and helped communities by donating more than 50 million pounds of food and diverting more than 150,000 tons of food waste from landfills in just one year, said EPA Acting Region 5 Administrator Robert A. Kaplan.

The Kroger Familiy control almost 2,800 stores.