PROVIDENCE, RI - United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI), released its 2020 Environmental, Social and Governance Report which lays out the company’s commitments to the future and highlights progress made in 2020. 

“As pioneers in our industry since 1976, leading by example on pressing social and environmental issues is both part of our DNA and our inherent responsibility,” said Steven L. Spinner, UNFI chairman and chief executive officer. “UNFI made great strides in building our wholesale, services, and brands business in 2020. As we look to the future, we now have an exciting plan to pursue real solutions for climate change, food justice and insecurity as well as diversity and inclusion.” 

The report summarizes UNFI’s 2030 agenda, which is centered on the theme “Better for All,” aligned to three pillars: Building Better for Our World, Our Communities, and Our People. The agenda focuses on six key priorities: climate action, waste reduction, food safety, food access, safety and wellbeing, and diversity and inclusion. To ensure progress in each of these areas, UNFI has established several consequential goals and commitments, including: 

  • Establish science-based emissions reduction targets covering operational and value chain emissions by 2022. 

  • 20% of electricity from renewable sources by 2023. 

  • 50% reduction in food waste by 2025. 

  • Zero waste to landfill from distribution center operations by 2030. 

  • 30% reduction in distribution center energy intensity by 2030. 

  • Donate 250 million pounds of food–equivalent to approximately 208 million meals by 2030. 

  • Log 200,000 associate volunteer hours by 2030. 

2020 Progress:  

  • Adopted safety measures to continue to protect frontline associates during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

  • Piloted its first all-electric solar powered refrigerated trailer with an eye toward further expansion. 

  • Announced new Paid Parental Leave benefits. 

  • Improved its CDP Climate Change response score to an A- through enhanced disclosures and actions to cut emissions, mitigate climate risks, and further the low-carbon economy. 

  • Achieved a 7% year-over-year improvement in food waste diverted from landfills. 

  • Delivered 23 million pounds of donated food, equivalent to roughly 19 million meals. 

“2020 was a pivotal year for ESG at UNFI. We completed a robust strategic planning process and significantly deepened our focus on key priorities,” said Alisha Real, UNFI director of sustainability and social impact. “The steps we will take over the next decade are critical to ensuring a future that is Better for All. UNFI impacts the lives of millions of people throughout North America and we are dedicated to taking meaningful action by activating our 27,000 associates, 15,000 customers, and more than 11,000 suppliers to accelerate progress toward achieving our near-term and 2030 commitments to transform the foodscape and our world.”