Food solutions company SpartanNash releases 2022 ESG report

SpartanNash has recently released its 2022 ESG report highlighting its sustainability initiatives and environmental health and safety practices. The food solutions company has also shared its 2025 ESG goals aligned with its core capabilities: people, operational excellence and insights that drive solutions. 

Environmental achievements include a reduced fleet mileage of 12% in 2022, exceeding an initial target of 10%. SpartanNash additionally decreased distribution center facility ozone-depleting emissions by 59% and began converting distribution center lighting, resulting in a 6% cut in electricity use. Over 4.2 million pounds of food were diverted from landfills, as well.

“We are committed to continuous progress and sharing our journey with SpartanNash’s key stakeholders.”

Other areas of focus for the company include advancements in associate career experience, community outreach and philanthropy. 

“I’m proud of the intentional, cross-functional partnerships we’ve created to strategically embed the SpartanNash ESG goals into our overall strategic master action plan,” said CEO Tony Sarsam. 

“As a People First Company, it is our responsibility to create solutions that improve the lives of our Associates and the communities we serve. We are committed to continuous progress and sharing our journey with SpartanNash’s key stakeholders.”

SpartanNash: Scope 1 emissions

The report marks the first time SpartanNash has revealed its Scope 1 and 2 emissions. 

Fleet fuel makes up SpartanNash’s largest source of Scope 1 emissions, of which it operates both owned and short-term rental contract equipment. This amounts to around 64 million miles annually driven by SpartanNash fleet and third-party carriers servicing military commissaries and exchanges, independent retailers, national accounts and corporate retail stores.

The report details plans to get all DC locations on the same fuel management system, which will then integrate with its transportation management system. According to the company, this will allow for more accurate data on miles per gallon, fuel usage and control of fuel processes. 

Moving forward, the company plans to transition to refrigerants with a lower global warming potential. 

As for its Scope 2 emissions, active programs to reduce electricity across DCs and retail stores include air conditioning optimization, completing store-by-store upgrades to display cases to preserve electricity effectively, installing LED lights in 79% of DCs and 85% of retail interiors, and modernizing battery chargers and material handling equipment. 

Beyond 2023, SpartanNash has committed to various Scope 2 emissions reduction programs, including modernizing all battery chargers in four DCs which can save more than 1 million kilowatt hours, evaluating the use of on-site solar on DC roofs and other ground installations, and more.

Storage, waste and water

In 2021, SpartanNash began optimizing its data storage approach — leading to dramatic improvements in operational efficiency and sustainability. The company is committing to optimizing its data storage by utilizing Microsoft Azure, which uses more energy-efficient data center operations and is vowing 100% renewable energy usage by 2025.

Outside of this, SpartanNash is focusing on lowering food and non-food waste. Strategies to minimize aged inventory, use technology-enabled programs and systems to prevent waste in corporate stores and food donation efforts are also in place. In 2022, the company recycled 53 million total pounds of cardboard and one million total points of shrink wrap. 

The company’s 2022 water data sees over 197 hundred million gallons of water withdrawn from both retail, DCs and corporate office locations.

Further details can be obtained from the report.