Hormel Foods Corporation has been recognized on USA Today’s America’s Climate Leaders 2026 list, joining 500 US companies that demonstrate measurable progress in reducing their carbon footprint and advancing climate action.
The recognition, announced April 23, highlights the food company’s emissions reduction achievements under its Good Feeds Us All global impact framework focused on planet and society pillars. The framework guides environmental sustainability initiatives including greenhouse gas reduction, water conservation, and packaging optimization.
Emissions intensity methodology and criteria
USA Today’s America’s Climate Leaders ranking, compiled in partnership with Statista, identifies U.S.-based companies that achieved meaningful reductions in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions relative to revenue between 2022 and 2024.
Statista evaluated approximately 2,000 companies across industries with revenues exceeding $50 million and publicly available, verifiable emissions data. The list includes organizations demonstrating the greatest reduction in core emissions intensity—specifically Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions measured relative to revenue.
Scope 1 emissions represent direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources a company owns or controls, including fuel burned in company vehicles, boilers, and on-site manufacturing facilities. Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from purchased energy including electricity, steam, heating, and cooling.
The emissions intensity metric—emissions per dollar of revenue—enables comparison across companies of different sizes and industries by accounting for business growth while tracking absolute environmental impact reductions.
Hormel Foods fiscal 2024 environmental progress
In fiscal year 2024, Hormel Foods reduced Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 17% year-over-year, according to the company’s 2024 Global Impact Report released September 2025. The reduction eliminated 9.7 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.
Additional fiscal 2024 accomplishments included saving more than 73 million gallons of water, representing a 5.5% reduction from the prior year, and completing 23 packaging projects across the U.S. supply chain that eliminated more than 1 million pounds of material.
The company’s emissions reduction targets were validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, formalizing 2030 goals including 50% reduction of absolute greenhouse gas emissions from operations and 27.5% absolute greenhouse gas emissions reduction within the supply chain.
Hormel Foods matched 100% of domestic energy use with renewable sourcing, supporting the company’s strategy to maximize renewable energy utilization and pursue energy-efficiency projects to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Good Feeds Us All framework
The Good Feeds Us All framework represents Hormel Foods’ next-generation global impact approach, organizing sustainability work under interconnected planet and society pillars. The framework evolved from the company’s earlier 20 By 30 Challenge sustainability program.
“Good Feeds Us All evolved naturally and purposefully from our earlier 20 By 30 Challenge,” said Katie Clark, senior vice president and chief communications officer at Hormel Foods. “The 20 By 30 Challenge cast a wide net, which was reflective of where we were in our global impact journey at the time.”
Under the planet pillar, the framework addresses greenhouse gas emissions reduction within operational boundaries, responsible sourcing across the supply chain, water conservation, waste reduction, and renewable energy adoption. The framework articulates initiatives powering measurable environmental action.
“The Planet pillar of our Global Impact framework, Good Feeds Us All, reflects our commitment to climate leadership and building a more sustainable food company,” the company stated. “This award recognizes the measurable progress we’ve made through innovation, accountability and long-term sustainability initiatives.”
Reporting standards and transparency
Hormel Foods’ 19th annual Global Impact Report follows Global Reporting Initiative Standards and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Processed Foods and Meat, Poultry & Dairy Standards. The report provides fiscal year 2024 progress data through the lens of the Good Feeds Us All framework.
Projects featured in the report include initiatives supporting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on responsible consumption and production. The company contributed $22.6 million in cash and product donations during fiscal 2024.
“As a global food company, we follow a clear and deliberate path to drive positive impact for our people, our industry and the communities we serve,” the company stated. “This recognition highlights how our continued investments in environmental sustainability demonstrate what it means to lead responsibly; fueling our Good Feeds Us All purpose every day.”
The America’s Climate Leaders 2026 list marks the fourth year USA Today and Statista have compiled the ranking recognizing corporate climate action.
