The Kroger Co. announced the company's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste efforts reduced its supermarket food waste footprint — the overall food waste it produced — by 9 percent in 2018, creating measurable improvements in its retail operations and more environmentally-conscious associates.

Kroger's progress was outlined in its 2019 Environmental, Social and Governance report. This is the company's 13th annual report on its sustainability progress. It is available here.

"We know our customers, associates, stakeholders and investors care deeply about people and our planet," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and chief executive officer. "The world around us is changing too — a warming climate, global population growth, loss of biodiversity, water scarcity and more. These eco-realities affect our collective ability to feed people today and in the future. They are also the force behind Kroger's Zero Hunger | Zero Waste plan. We know 40 percent of food produced in the U.S. is thrown out, yet one in eight people in our country are food insecure — perhaps even someone we know. Redirecting just one-third of the food wasted in the U.S. every year would more than feed those struggling with hunger."

"Today doing the right thing for society and being environmentally sustainable are table stakes for corporations," said Jessica Adelman, Kroger's group vice president of corporate affairs and chief social impact officer. "That's why we're proud to go above and beyond with our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social impact plan. Our progress in each of the environmental, social and governance aspects of sustainability are a direct result of these innovative and intentional efforts."

Highlights include:

• Reduced Food Waste Footprint 9 percent: Kroger's food waste generated by retail stores decreased 9 percent, reducing both food waste and the greenhouse gases resulting from it.
• Improved Food Waste Diversion 13 percent: Kroger achieved a 13 percent improvement in supermarket food waste diverted from landfill, moving from 27 percent diversion in 2017 to 40 percent in 2018.
• Progress on Packaging and Plastics: Kroger reduced the amount of plastic resin in Our Brands packaging by 9.1 million pounds so far — well on its way to reaching its 10-million-pound goal by 2020.
• Commenced Installation of Solar Panels at Paramount Distribution Center: Kroger's 555,000-square-foot facility to be powered by more than 7,000 solar panels, producing 50 percent of electricity for the automated distribution center in Paramount, CA.
• Expanded Fresh Food Rescue: Kroger associates rescued 10 percent more food from its stores, plants and distribution centers — that means 100 million pounds of wholesome, nutritious food went to feed food insecure families in America.