ELGIN, MN - Honeybear Brands is reflecting on the success of a long-term strategy, looking back on three years of optimizing its sustainability performance. In its most recent report, the apple provider revealed it has hit more than 50 percent of its goal for each of its key sustainability initiatives.

“For the past three years, we have been working hard to not only launch our aggressive sustainability initiatives, but to get significant traction and make strong gains toward our goals in the areas of pollinator protection, plastic-free packaging, zero food loss to landfills, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions,” said Don Roper, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We continue to hear from our stakeholders, including customers, employees, and growers that sustainability matters, and our sense of urgency continues to grow more rapidly than at any time in the past. There is much work to do by all participants in the supply chain, and we readily accept the significant challenges in front of us with an eager desire to improve.”

The premium apple provider recently published its 2022 Sustainability Report, which shows growth within the following targets:

• Pollinator Protection: Adopt an Acre Initiative – Honeybear Brands is 66.3 percent of the way to its goal of establishing 50 acres of pollinator habitats with a total of 33.15 acres, or about 25 football fields, planted
• Zero-Food Loss – In 2022, Honeybear Brands diverted nearly 96 percent of food loss from landfills, up nearly 10 percent year over year
• Renewable Energy – The company sourced 68 percent of its purchased electricity at its facilities from renewable sources, with a 100 percent goal in 2025

In addition to these strategic moves, Honeybear Brands has been investing in plastic-free packaging technology and testing new plastic alternatives, according to a press release.

“We have a variety of plastic-free alternatives for our company branded products that we offer our customers from paper to cellulose-based materials,” said Kristi Harris, Brand Manager. “Industry solutions are growing, and while most retailers rely on a plastic bag for packaged apples, we have seen an increase in paper tote business and are engaged in testing some alternative pack style with customers.”

For a detailed look at the company’s progress toward these ambitious goals, click here.

Keep reading ANUK as we report on the latest supply-side strategies hitting our industry.

Honeybear Brands