Kroger gave over $1.3 bn to hunger relief in six years

01 / 10 / 2023

By Marwa Nassar - -

Kroger has given over $1.3 billion in charitable giving for hunger relief since introducing its Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan in 2017 to help create communities free of hunger and waste.

Since the plan’s launch, Kroger achieved its goal to direct 3 billion meals to its communities more than two years ahead of schedule.

The ESG Report – covering the 2022 fiscal year from January 30, 2022, to January 28, 2023 – said Kroger also accelerated our zero-waste vision with progress on waste diversion, food waste reduction and packaging goals.

Kroger’s ESG strategy, Thriving Together, reflects how it advances positive impacts for People, Planet and Systems—the key pillars of its strategy. It encompasses a portfolio of material ESG topics informed by ongoing engagement with a wide range of leaders, communities and other stakeholders.

Kroger’s ESG strategy is designed to complement and integrate with Kroger’s business model and operating strategy, aiming to unlock greater value over time for its associates, customers, communities and company—ultimately helping people, the planet and the company thrive.

Kroger recognizes its dual responsibilities when managing climate impact: reducing the adverse impacts of its operations on a changing climate and mitigating the potential impacts of a changing climate on its business.

Kroger’s current target is to reduce GHG emissions by 30% by 2030, from a 2018 baseline. In 2022, it achieved further progress toward its goal, reducing emissions by a cumulative 15.2% so far. Kroger is currently reviewing its Scope 1 and 2 target and contemplating new Scope 3 and Forest, Land and Agriculture (FLAG) goals to reduce emissions from its supply chain and agricultural food production, respectively. This work continues in 2023.

Kroger also improved environmental impact by reducing total food waste generated in retail stores by nearly 9% in 2022 and by over 26% since 2017.

It also achieved 82% waste diversion from landfill company-wide, improving from 79% in the previous year. It also achieved goal to source 95% of wild-caught seafood that meets established sustainability criteria.

“The progress made over the last year is a true testament to the commitment of every last associate from the frontline to our merchandising, operations, supply chain teams and beyond, who are advancing our vision to create healthy communities free from hunger and waste,” said Keith Dailey, Kroger’s group vice president of corporate affairs and chief sustainability officer. “We celebrate another year of progress and our associates who make it possible.”