The J. M. Smucker Co., Orrville, Ohio, published its 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report outlining the company's long-standing commitment to responsible practices.

"The tangible results shared in our 2018 Corporate Responsibility Report demonstrate that 'doing the right things and doing things right' is not only good for our business, but also for the people and natural resources we interact with each day," says Julia Sabin, vice president of government relations and corporate sustainability. "With the continued support of our 7,000 employees, there is no limit to what we can accomplish."

Highlights from the report include:

  • Progress toward achieving its 2020 environmental impact goals by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing water usage and increasing the amount of waste it diverts from landfills.
  • In-depth programs to responsibly source eight key ingredients—coffee, fruit, palm oil, peanuts, pepper, quinoa, seafood and specialty corn.
  • Five years of progress expanding its coffee sustainability program. The company achieved its goal to source 10% of its total retail coffee from certified-green coffee sources, positively impacting 16,500 small coffee farmers, improving 19,950 hectares of coffee farmland and driving a 39% increase in coffee yield productivity from existing coffee farmland.
  • Continued commitment to maintaining a fully sustainable palm oil supply chain that ensures 100% of its direct palm oil purchases are from responsible and certified sources.
  • Rollout of SmartLabel technology on product packaging and brand websites to make it easier for consumers to access detailed product information.
  • Strengthening of its responsible sourcing program, which will over time ensure all ingredients are sourced ethically throughout the supply chain, empowering workers of its supply chain with sustainable impacts in their communities, mitigating risks for consumers through the implementation of proactive systems and creating competitive advantages to help suppliers meet the company's responsible sourcing standards.
  • Donation of more than 20 million meals in 2017 to humans and pets in need.

Furthermore, last month, J. M. Smucker entered into a long-term power purchase agreement with Lincoln Clean Energy, Chicago, for 60 megawatts (MW) of the utility-scale 230 MW Plum Creek Wind Project in Wayne County, Neb.