Earth Day 2018: Kroger, Giant/Martins Take Steps Toward Greener Operations

In celebration of Earth Month, The Kroger Co. is continuing on its Zero Hunger, Zero Waste journey with the launch of its Sustainability Lives Here event.

Running through May 5,  the program features $100 in digital coupons on sustainably produced products and information about ways customers can extend food life and minimize waste.

"Kroger is committed to responsible sourcing throughout our supply chain and having a positive effect on our communities and our planet," said Lisa Zwack, Kroger's head of sustainability, in a statement. "Sustainability Lives Here makes it easy for customers who share this passion to discover and try eco-friendly items they can feel good about."

Members of Kroger's Simple Truth team recently traveled to the Philippines to visit several of its Fair Trade Certified coconut farms to see its community investment partnership in action, including how the company is enhancing meal programs for local school children. 

During the three-week Sustainability Lives Here event, more than 50 sustainably produced brands are offering Kroger customers more than $100 in combined digital coupon savings. For every digital coupon that is redeemed through the program, Kroger will donate the equivalent of one meal to Feeding America, up to 1 million meals.

Separately, Giant Food Stores and Martin's Food Markets said it would help customers reduce carbon footprints with the launch of an emissions program at all 98 of its fuel stations in partnership with GreenPrint.

Beginning May 15, for every gallon of gasoline a customer pumps at Giant/Martins, GreenPrint will mobilize a network of local volunteers who will "proportionally conduct tree planting and other carbon reduction projects to offset the emissions that are released," according to company officials. GreenPrint will also provide real-time audited reporting showing details on carbon emissions, offsets purchased and retired, and project investments.

"We believe it is our responsibility to make a positive difference in the environment because it is the right thing to do, and we think the GreenPrint model is innovative, and frankly, pretty cool," said Manuel Haro, Giant/Martins VP of strategy. "We see this as a game-changing program where we can directly address climate change as it is harmful to the local food system. Our ultimate goal is to be part of the solution that allows us to feed and bring families together for many years to come."