Smithfield Foods, a vertically integrated food company and the world's largest pork processor, has won the World Sustainability Awards’ “Profit with a Purpose" honor for aligning sustainability and profitability through its innovative renewable natural gas programs. These efforts significantly reduce carbon emissions by converting methane from hog manure into clean energy for consumers while presenting new revenue opportunities for family farmers.
During a virtual awards ceremony Oct. 13, the company also received a "Highly Commendable" honorable mention in the WSA's 'External Partnership' category for its collaboration with an environmental organization to assist farmers in its supply chain with implementing sustainable farming practices.
"Through our RNG and agronomics programs, we are responsibly utilizing our resources, expertise and market access to amplify proven technologies that benefit the environment and simultaneously foster growth for us and our partners, suppliers and communities,” said Stewart Leeth, chief sustainability officer for Smithfield Foods, in a statement.
In 2016, Smithfield became the first major protein company to adopt a GHG emissions reduction goal across its value chain – 25 percent by 2025. The company has since pledged to become carbon negative in its U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30 percent across its U.S. value chain by 2030.
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