UNFI Announces 2019 Social and Environmental Sustainability Report

PROVIDENCE, RI - The grocery distribution behemoth, United Natural Foods Inc (UNFI), recently released its 2019 Corporate Social Responsibility Report. The report, now in its ninth annual edition, reflects a comprehensive summary of the company’s progress on its social and environmental commitments. A key highlight of the report includes the creation of more than 140,000 acres of new organic farmland through the UNFI Foundation grants.
Steven L. Spinner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, UNFI“UNFI has a long tradition of doing the right thing, giving back, and operating our business in a way that minimizes our environmental footprint. As we grow, we remain committed to being good stewards of our planet, our communities, and our people,” said Steven L. Spinner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We are particularly concerned about the effects of climate change and are actively working to evaluate and mitigate our climate impact. More than ever, I’m proud of the difference we’ve made on all fronts. Not only are we changing the face of grocery distribution, we continue to use our scale for better.”
A key highlight of UNFI's report includes the creation of more than 140,000 acres of new organic farmland through the UNFI Foundation grants
According to a press release, the report was developed using two of the leading sustainability reporting frameworks as a reference: SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) and GRI (Global Reporting Initiative). Highlights were provided under three pillars:
Better for the World
Better for Communities
Better for People
Alisha Real, Senior Sustainability Manager and Executive Director, UNFI Foundation“We believe better food can only come from a healthy planet, and we’re focused on doing our part so that future generations have access to clean air and water, and a safe and nutritious food supply,” said Alisha Real, Senior Sustainability Manager and Executive Director of the UNFI Foundation.
Looking ahead, UNFI is conducting a materiality assessment to prioritize social and environmental issues of key concern to the business and its stakeholders, which will further inform the company’s future sustainability commitments and initiatives. The results of this strategy work will be shared in UNFI’s 2020 report. The full 2019 UNFI Corporate Social Responsibility Report is available online here.
Here’s to another year of innovation in fresh produce!
United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) is the leading independent national distributor of natural, organic, and specialty foods…