Sysco, Largest Foodservice Distributor, Sets Corporate Sustainability Bar High

Sysco Corp. of Houston, the largest US foodservice distributor that I came to know very well from many angles when I was editor of ID (Institutional Distribution) several years ago, has placed its money where its bottom line is in terms of sustainability.

It has designed a wide-ranging sustainability program that covers not only the typical green issues but also lifestyle ones.

In a press release a few days ago, Sysco announced its Sustainability Bond Framework, under which it may issue Green, Social or Sustainability Bonds to advance its 2025 corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.

The framework provides information:

• about the types of projects that are eligible for financing or refinancing with the use of any potential bond proceeds,
• how any projects would be evaluated and selected,
• how any potential proceeds would be managed,
• and how the company may provide any allocation and impact reporting.

According to its press release, Sysco’s CSR strategy focuses on three key areas: people, products and planet, setting a clear path for the future and demonstrating the company’s continued commitment to caring for people, sourcing products responsibly and protecting the planet. Clearly this broad plan covers many if not all of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The company’s 2025 CSR goals, announced in 2018, include a comprehensive set of objectives, including sourcing 20% of its electricity from renewable sources, powering 20% of its truck fleet with alternative fuels, expanding its sustainable agriculture program to five fresh crops, and doubling the availability of Sysco Brand organic produce.

With specific nods to SDGs No. 3, No. 5 and No. 8, Sysco said it would increase its spend with women and minority-owned suppliers by 25%.

“Eligible projects have been defined as those that support Sysco’s 2025 CSR goals and relate to renewable energy, energy efficiency, clean transportation, waste reduction, sustainable water and waste management, environmentally sustainable management of living natural resources and land use and food security, aquatic biodiversity conservation and food security, and socioeconomic advancement and empowerment,” the foodservice giant said.

This laudable plan by a highly visible corporation with more than 69,000 associates, 320 distribution facilities worldwide serving more than 650,000 customer locations, and sales of more than $60 billion, demonstrates that sustainability is not merely turning off the lights and taking care of water leaks. Sustainable development that ensures a safe future for humanity and the planet requires attention as many of the SDGs as possible.