Kroger Achieves New Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Milestones

The Kroger Co. recently announced its latest results and achievements for Zero Hunger | Zero Waste, the company’s bold social impact plan aimed at creating communities free of hunger and waste.

“Zero Hunger | Zero Waste addresses the disparity between hunger and food waste in America, a mission that has never been more relevant,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s Chairman and CEO. “We are pleased with our progress so far, but also recognize the monumental task still at hand. Kroger is determined to do even more to help our neighbors and communities secure a healthier, brighter future.”

Through leadership, engagement and commitment, Kroger continues to meaningfully give back on its journey to achieve a future with Zero Hunger | Zero Waste. Notable 2019 milestones include:

Zero Hunger

• Kroger surpassed its 3-year goal to donate 1 billion meals by 2020, putting the retailer on track to achieve its goal of donating 3 billion meals by 2025.
• Kroger directed a total of $279 million in charitable giving to its communities in 2019, including $205 million to organizations that are helping to end hunger.
• Kroger provided a total of 493 million meals—in food and funds—to its communities across the country, a 56 percent increase from 2018.
• Kroger donated 101 million pounds of safe, surplus food from its retail stores, distribution centers and manufacturing plants to Feeding Americafood banks.

Zero Waste

• Kroger accomplished 80 percent waste diversion, redirecting 2.3 million tons from landfills across its 35-state and Washington, D.C. footprint.
• Kroger increased year-over-year food waste tonnage recycled by 28 percent.
• Kroger achieved Zero Waste operations in 33 of its 35 manufacturing plants.
• Kroger increased total recycling by 12 percent.
• Kroger completed its plan to standardize date labels for Our Brands food products, providing simpler, easier-to-understand labels that result in less household food waste.
• The Innovation Fund, a program of The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, awarded $1 million to its inaugural cohort, advancing collective action to prevent food waste and improve food security in Kroger communities.
• Kroger expanded its partnership with Apeel Sciences, preventing food waste by offering Apeel’s longer-lasting avocados at more than 1,100 Kroger stores across the country.

“Creating communities free of hunger and waste is no small undertaking, and we continue to be inspired by our associates who are leading the way toward achieving our shared Zero Hunger | Zero Waste vision,” added McMullen. “Today, we are proud to recognize our ‘Zero Heroes’ for uplifting our communities by committing an additional $50,000 in grants to community organizations of their choosing to support our mission.”

For more information, visit the company’s official press release.