Chobani, Kikkoman Foods Inc., Schreiber Foods, Hillebrand, and Polar Beverages have joined the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance, a movement to boost food waste reduction and recycling, and expand renewable energy production across America.
Founded in 2020 by Vanguard Renewables, Unilever, Starbucks, and Dairy Farmers of America, the alliance aims to avoid or eliminate food waste first and repurpose what can’t be eliminated into renewable energy via farm-based anaerobic digesters.
“The addition of these five national brands to the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance is proof that the work we are doing to decarbonize the food and beverage industry is making an impression on industry leaders,” said Neil H. Smith, CEO, Vanguard Renewables, in a statement. “The FPSA is a group of like-minded companies committed to doing their part to help mitigate the climate crisis, and we look forward to working with our newest FPSA members to achieve our shared sustainability goals, to divert inedible organic waste and turn that into renewable natural gas.”
Best known as a yogurt brand, Chobani also makes dairy and plant-based products including oatmilk, dairy- and plant-based creamers, ready-to-drink coffee, and plant-based probiotics. Its sustainability goals include:
• Continuously finding ways to reduce carbon emissions
• Being responsible stewards of water and other natural resources needed in food production
• Minimizing the amount of waste that is sent to landfills
• Using recyclable materials across all product packaging
• Sourcing high-priority ingredients from sustainable sources
“We are creating a food system for the future, with a purpose to improve the world around us,” said Mark Broadhurst, VP, impact & advocacy, Chobani, in a statement. “We are also deeply committed to playing an active role in this transformation for the betterment of our planet, our people, and our communities. We view our membership in The Alliance as a way for us to share our common goals and ideas with our partners. We don’t just want to check boxes but make a real and impactful difference.”
Kikkoman Foods, Inc, is committed to keeping in harmony with the environment and has set long-term environmental goals to be achieved by 2030.
“We are honored to join the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance and share space with so many major brands that are committed to the same environmental goals that we are,” said Mike Anderson, environmental health and safety supervisor, Kikkoman Foods Inc., in a statement. “As a global company, we understand that our actions speak louder than words. We believe that joining this movement and being able to share best practices with colleagues from other companies will only help us each reach our unique sustainability targets.”
Kikkoman Foods Inc. “Long-Term Environmental Vision” by 2030 includes:
• Reducing CO2 emissions by 30 percent
• Reducing water consumption (per unit of production) by more than 30 percent
• Building a system to sustainably source ingredients
• Reducing waste in both production and sales
• All manufacturing facilities will have a 100 percent recycling rate
• Developing eco-friendly products throughout its value chain
Wisconsin-based Schreiber Foods has made sustainability at home and abroad a strategic operational focus. As a global leader in cream cheese, natural cheese, process cheese, yogurt, beverages, and plant-based products, Schreiber understands the impact its sustainability actions have on a global scale.
Schreiber has committed to:
• Reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 27 percent
• Pledged to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions by 30 percent by 2030
• Reducing the amount of water, electricity, and the fuel used to power its operations year over year
Hillebrand specializes in beer, wine, and distilled spirits. Its Keg Solutions & Supply Chain Services is one of 48 offices serving 90 countries. As a shipping and logistics company, it has a unique perspective on environmental impact, from its carbon footprint to the containers they use to ship bulk liquid around the globe.
Hillebrand has set a series of tangible environmental goals:
• Pushing for a circular economy for all of its equipment
• Partnering with organizations to protect and restore the planet
• Reducing carbon emissions per shipping container by 45 percent by 2025
• Ensuring that the containers used to ship bulk beverages are fully recyclable and are not sent to landfills
• Recovering and reusing at least 60 percent of bulkheads used in the shipping of products
• For every shipment, the company plants a tree, and to date, it has planted more than 688 million trees
• Created 6,400 paid days off work for individuals in eight countries to help with the planting
Polar Beverages, based in Massachusetts, is a leader in sparkling water beverages as well as a regional bottler for other national brands.
Its sustainability achievements and goals include:
• Minimizing raw materials, all of which are 100 percent recyclable
• Transitioned to fridge-style packaging on 12 packs with no secondary tray or film eliminating 31 percent of potential wasted material
• Reduced 7 percent of PET material with the advent of a new finish and cap in 2011 and 50 percent PCR on 2 Liter Green Bottles
• Reduced water usage by over 75 thousand gallons per day with the goal of another 50 thousand gallons per day over the next 12 months
• Reduced miles driven for delivery by over 3.5 million miles over the past three years
• Purchases renewable energy to power their factory in Massachusetts
In addition to these companies, the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance includes Unilever, Starbucks, Dairy Farmers of America, Vanguard Renewables, Stonyfield Organic, Cabot Creamery, Smithfield Foods, and Food Tank.
“If we are to reach the United States' ambitious goals to reduce net GHG emissions by 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, it is imperative that private industry lead the way. That is why we formed the Farm Powered Strategic Alliance, and what our members are working towards every day,” said Smith.
Related: Dasani, Sprite Switch to Sustainable Packaging; General Mills Invests in Regenerative Agriculture.