At the heart of Performance Food Group is our commitment to serving communities across the nation. Inspiring our associates, providing innovative, sustainably-sourced products, and positively impacting the environment through energy management are crucial to this mission.
Our Braveheart and Pathproven Beef lines have set new industry standards for sustainability and animal welfare. We built a direct farm to distributor supply chain by focusing on deeper stakeholder collaboration. We partnered with Progressive Beef, a co-operative of family farms in Nebraska and Kansas, to assess every aspect of the supply chain and opportunities to reduce the environmental impacts inherent in livestock farming. Our quality management system uses an evidence-based approach to animal care, food safety, and sustainability to ensure a lower environmental footprint and a high degree of transparency on environmental impacts and animal welfare. Our holistic focus on responsible stewardship across our supply chains has been recognized by the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, and our pork supply chains also meet similar standards.
When a disaster strikes, PFG partners with local chapters of the American Red Cross. We provide food and water donations, match our employee’s financial contributions, and leverage our nationwide network to provide logistics support and help deliver relief to communities in need. Throughout the historic COVID-19 pandemic, PFG has actively contributed to food banks nationwide to support community resilience and stability during this uncertain time. We are committed to providing comfort and sustenance to those most in need.
Vistar’s “Good to Go” Program carries more than 1,800 organic, non-GMO, vegan, gluten free, and zero trans-fat items. This program supports the adoption of healthier diets and healthier snacking by providing greater access to nutritious alternatives in communities across America. We partner with small, emerging health-conscious brands to distribute their products to a wide range of customers, including segments that have not traditionally been in the forefront of healthy snacks such as convenience stores, budget hospitality chains pantries, and vending machines. Additionally, all products are in line with USDA “school-approved” criteria.
Our nationwide customer base means that our drivers have a presence in every state, city, and neighborhood in America. Because human trafficking is a prevalent issue at transportation hubs, we believe it is our responsibility to actively engage, educate, and empower our drivers as the front line of defense against these heinous human rights abuses. Our Vistar division partners with the NGO Truckers Against Trafficking to provide our drivers with the training and support systems needed to identify, confirm, and report on suspicious activity on their routes throughout the country. We plan to roll out this program to all of our associates across the enterprise.
As we construct new facilities, we have had unique opportunities to increase water reclamation and reuse. At new Gilroy facility, we have implemented a water reclamation system for our refrigeration systems that recaptures condensation and refilters it into our cooling systems, enabling us to reuse almost 50% of daily water demands. On a hot day, these refrigeration systems use up to 20,000 gallons of water for daily operations, the same amount of water needed to form a hockey ice rink. We are currently exploring how to implement this water management practice across our facilities, including in older buildings where older systems present challenges.
Our ESG strategies are strong initial steps toward creating meaningful change, but we have also made a tangible difference through our actions. Our inspiring associates, innovative products, and impactful environmental policies are delivering on the promise of service to our communities.
Our Board is engaged with the company’s ESG strategy and is a key driver of efforts to integrate this agenda across segments. We also established a Governance committee to manage and implement our strategy, a central part of which is the implementation of policies and standards in accordance with our values.
As a company, we have made major strides in our approach to the challenges affecting our planet and our people. The 2023 Corporate and Social Responsibility report explores the ways in which we are positively impacting the world around us, innovating with new sustainable products and processes, and inspiring our associates to be their best selves – all with an eye toward our efforts in 2024 and the future of the industry.
2023 Corporate Social Responsibility Report
2022 Corporate Social Responsibility Report
2021 Corporate Social Responsibility Report
2020 Corporate Social Responsibility Report
Food supply challenges and ethical and sustainability concerns are issues that affect us all. PFG has made a commitment to partner with suppliers, distributors, and other third-party entities that represent the high standards we require in the industry.
PFG Supplier Code of Conduct
We understand the importance of protecting our planet and the people who inhabit it. PFG has established clear policies in the areas of the environment, climate change, and human rights that demonstrate our leadership on these critical issues.