CINCINNATI, Jan. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co.
(NYSE: KR) this week was recognized by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) for its leadership, innovation and
education efforts to feed hungry people, protect the environment,
and save money through food recovery.
A participant in the EPA's Food Recovery Challenge,
Kroger was named winner in three categories: Leadership,
Innovation, and Education and Outreach.
"Kroger is proud to be part of the EPA's Food Recovery
Challenge, and honored by this recognition," said Suzanne Lindsay-Walker, Kroger's director of
sustainability. "While all of our associates play an essential role
in our food recovery operation, our retail operations team in
particular deserves credit for bringing that program to life in all
of our stores. We remain committed to finding solutions to reduce
food waste – because it is good for business, our communities and
the environment."
As part of the company's food recovery strategy in grocery
stores, Kroger's Perishable Donations Partnership is responsible
for the equivalent of 38 million meals of healthy, perishable food
donated to local Feeding America food banks to help feed hungry
families last year.
Kroger's retail operations team has implemented an organic
recycling program in 1,000 stores across the country. This program
utilizes composting and animal feed to limit the amount of food
going into landfills.
Kroger was the first major retailer in the U.S. to develop a
clean energy production system that converts food that cannot be
sold or donated into clean energy. The facility provides a quarter
of the power needed to run the company's Ralphs/Food 4 Less
distribution center in Compton,
CA.
Read Kroger's annual sustainability report at
http://sustainability.kroger.com.
Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than
375,000 associates who serve customers in 2,631 supermarkets and
multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local
banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less,
Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs
and Smith's. The company also operates 783 convenience
stores, 325 fine jewelry stores, 1,293 supermarket fuel centers and
37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as
the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger
relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families,
and more than 30,000 schools and grassroots organizations. Kroger
contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year
through more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader
in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion
Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million Dollar
Club.
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SOURCE The Kroger Co.