Safeway Becomes First Grocer and Store Brand Manufacturer to Join The Sustainability Consortium

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March 2, 2010

Safeway Inc. is the first U.S.-based retail grocery chain and manufacturer of private label merchandise to join The Sustainability Consortium, which engages in science-based work to create a more sustainable global supply chain.

The Pleasanton, Calif.-based grocer joins other retailers and consumer products manufacturers who support the group’s product lifecycle mission, including social and environmental considerations.

"We applaud the consortium's work and believe its mission is a good fit with Safeway's efforts to provide its customers with a larger selection of sustainable products and services," said Larree Renda, Safeway’s executive vice president, chief strategist and administrative officer. "The company is committed to becoming the premier retailer in the grocery sector with an unrivaled reputation for pursuing growth through leadership in environmental, socially responsible and ethical business practices."

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool to analyze emissions, waste and the natural resources used from soil to kitchen in different food and non-food items. Safeway said it is interested in aggregating the data for primary sectors such as agriculture, dairy, packaging and fishery through industrial food processing to retail delivery.

Safeway said it plans to leverage the data to create a company-wide supply chain policy, encouraging sustainable purchasing and manufacturing practices throughout the organization's direct and indirect buying.

Through its membership, the 1,725-unit grocery chain said it will work with CPG members –– such a General Mill's, Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo –– nongovernmental organizations, academia and government.

"This important research will build an important bridge to creating the standards for metrics by which our industry measures itself against sustainability goals uncovering key opportunities to eliminate waste and preserve natural resources," said Linda Nordgren, Safeway group vice president of supply chain and strategic sourcing. "Creating actionable data on the lifecycle impacts of food and agriculture will assist Safeway in creating its Environmentally Preferable Purchasing policy."

The Sustainability Consortium  is an independent organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. Co-administered by Arizona State University and the University of Arkansas, the consortium will research and publish findings on the lifecycle impact of various categories within the non-food, food and agricultural categories.

These findings will identify environmental opportunities throughout the supply chain “to create a map and compass towards how Safeway sources product,” the company said.

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