UNFI releases 2022 ESG report

United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) has released its annual ESG report, showing its expanded focus and specifics in certain areas.

First covered by Store Brands’ sister publication Progressive Grocer, UNFI is taking and making concrete steps towards its 10 goals in the areas of diversity and inclusion, responsible procurement, community development, governance, associate safety and well-being, climate action, waste reduction, customer health and safety and energy efficiency.

The company also said it contributed more than $2.4 million in financial donations across all partners and distributed over $38.7 million worth of in-kind donations to partners, including food and non-food items.

The food solutions supplier recently added new plant-based items to its Wild Harvest private label line, which currently offers over 400 items, 70% of which are organic.

“Building from our strong foundation and governance systems, a major focus of our efforts in the last year has been more transparency and a more holistic view of our value chain,” said UNFI’s director of sustainability and social impact Alisha Real. “We’ve learned a lot about the depth of interconnectivity between our world, communities, and associates, and are working even more closely with our stakeholders to address the many challenges that face the global food system,” 

In addition to its 10 goals, the ESG report cited new focus areas:

• $1 million in grants through the UNFI Foundation to build better food systems.
• The addition of two new goals related to the enhanced diversity and inclusion strategic plan
• Four new associate-led Belonging & Innovation Groups (BIGs).
• The completion and analysis of its emissions strategy targets to the Science Based Targets Initiative.
• LEED Gold certification for a building in Riverside, Calif.
• A 1.6 million-mile reduction in its distribution routes and the addition of 53 solar-powered electric trailers to its California fleet.
• A new pilot program called the Friends of UNFI Food Bank, created in partnership with PCC Community Markets.

The full report from the Providence, R.I.-based company is available online at BetterForAll.UNFI.com.

The ESG summary comes following UNFI’s second quarter financial report, which showed a 7.5% year-over-year sales gain and included a positive outlook for the rest of its fiscal year.