Gerber commits to carbon neutrality for natural merchandise in 2022
Gerber has also committed to carbon neutrality across its entire baby food portfolio by 2035
Tanner, the leader in early childhood nutrition, has announced its Climate Forward Nutrition ambition to pioneer agricultural research and invest in regenerative farming techniques to ensure the ingredients for our nutritious baby foods are made this way that biodiversity and soil health are increased and water is reduced. Purpose of use.
As part of this ambition, Gerber has also committed itself to CO2-neutrality in its entire baby food portfolio by 2035 by working with an external climate-neutral certifier, with 100% of its organic portfolio and natural bags and jars being climate-neutral in 2022. Gerber is First U.S. company to announce its commitment to carbon neutral baby food manufacturing, which is the industry’s most ambitious climate commitment, and integrating Gerber’s longstanding sustainable practices and new innovations that reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
“Gerber has been committed to doing everything for babies for generations, including taking steps to protect the planet so babies can grow and thrive for years to come,” said Tarun Malkani, President and CEO of Gerber. “The commitment we make today marks the beginning of the next chapter to improve the choices we offer parents looking for foods that are good for babies and good for the planet and the next generation of regenerative agriculture and use sustainable business practices. Our commitment to CO2 neutrality is an important step on our path to the climate that will last beyond the year 2035. “
Gerber provides the first carbon neutral baby food donation, donating $ 100,000 / £ 72,000 worth of products to families supported by the Feeding America network to prioritize access to nutritious, climate-conscious baby food for communities who are starving. A longtime food insecurity partner, Gerber has worked with Feeding America since 1988 and invested more than $ 2.8M / £ 2M in 2020.
“Nutrient-rich food is critical to a child’s development. Food insecurity threatens 13 million potential children this year, a number exacerbated by the pandemic, ”said Blake Thompson, chief supply chain officer for Feeding America. “Feeding America is proud to partner with Gerber to bring nutritious food to children and families when they need it most.”
Gerber will achieve carbon neutrality by adopting practices in several priority areas: regenerative farming, packaging, manufacturing and supply chain management, and recipe design, and by investing in high quality offsetting projects.
Key initiatives on Gerber’s sustainability and carbon neutral roadmap include:
Creation of demonstration areas for fruit and vegetable research farms in western Michigan where Gerber is working with the nonprofit Rodale Institute and Michigan State University to conduct unprecedented research into innovative technologies and advanced regenerative organic farming practices that focus on soil renewal, focus on increasing biodiversity and assessing the potential for nutritional benefits.
Optimizing energy consumption and sourcing 100% renewable electricity for our own production facilities and distribution centers by 2025.
We are continuing our goal of making 100% of our packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025 and further reducing or eliminating unnecessary packaging material wherever possible.
Promote continuous improvement with tanner farmers or “tanner breeders” and document the introduction of regenerative farming methods through data verified by Sustainable Environmental Consultants’ EcoPractices platform.
Assessment of the environmental impact of all new product innovations and introduction of additional products with vegetable protein in Gerber’s entire baby food portfolio.
A million trees are being planted in partnership with the National Forest Foundation and One Tree Planted in US National Forests in 10 states.
“Climate change affects us all – especially the little ones – and we are proud to work with Gerber to meet their climate goals,” said Franziska Sinner, Head of Corporate Sustainability at South Pole, the leading provider of carbon projects and climate solutions conducted a thorough assessment of the brand’s carbon footprint and suggested ways to reduce the company’s emissions. “Gerber’s commitment to implementing sustainable practices throughout the product lifecycle – from producer to consumer through low-carbon supply chains – is visionary and has the power to inspire other organizations to take bold environmental action.”
