Elgin, Minn.-Honeybear Brands has created long-term sustainability goals around pollinator health, packaging, food loss/waste and climate and energy.
Sustainability has always been a part of doing business for Honeybear Brands, said
Don Roper, vice president of sales and marketing, said the sustainability initiatives are aggressive.
“It’s our belief that having a true sustainable strategy — a multi-year strategy and in some cases, a multi-decade (strategy) — is going to help put us in a stronger competitive position for the future,” Roper said. “I think it will help us perform at a higher level operationally, environmentally and financially.”
The company worked with Madison, Wis.-based Sustainable Food Group for 18 months to develop sustainability goals, Roper said.
The Honeybear Brands TruEarth certification program was implemented more than 10 years ago.
The certification is focused on best practices for growers, with five- and 10-year goals. The four goals will touch all operations:
- Pollinator Health: Implement pollinator conservation practices at all U.S. orchards supplying the company and increase pollinator abundance, developing 50 acres of pollinator habitat by 2025;
- Packaging: Cut all plastic for Honeybear Brands by 2030, with packaging made from renewable energy and compostable alternatives;
- Food Loss and Waste: Achieve zero food waste from farm to retail by 2025; and
- Climate and Energy: Be carbon neutral by 2040, sourcing all electricity at Honeybear Brand facilities from renewable sources by 2025 and reducing greenhouse gas emissions 15% in all operations by 2030.
The Packer’s Sustainability Coverage
Honeybear’s Chilean Honeycrisps available soon
