Kroger Makes Fortune Magazine's Change the World List

Kroger is gaining recognition for its Zero Hunger, Zero Waste sustainability efforts, having made Fortune magazine's Change the World 2018 list. 

The retailer's ambitious initiative aims to eliminate all waste across the company by 2025 and reduce hunger in the communities it serves. 

Kroger came in at No. 6 on the list, falling just below its recent partner Alibaba, which was recognized for driving business into rural China and is helping Kroger achieve distribution in the country. 

While Kroger was the only traditional grocer and one of the few retailers to make the 57-count list, Walmart placed No. 16 for its work in reducing emissions and waste in-store and across its supply chain.

Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO, said the retailer is "honored and thrilled " to make the list and gain recognition for how it is leveraging its "business and resources to create social impact through Zero Hunger, Zero Waste." 

"Being a socially conscious company has always been a part of Kroger's culture and core business operations, and today it is a driver of Restock Kroger," he said. "This recognition is possible thanks to the legacy of the leaders who have gone before us and the incredible inspired actions of our associates. From Barney Kroger donating day-old bread to feed hungry neighbors until today, we are committed to living our purpose: 'To Feed the Human Spirit.'" 

Kroger has made strides toward its goals since first launching the Zero Hunger, Zero Waste program, having donated 325 million meals in food and funds in 2017 alone and having conducted a detailed food waste analysis in partnership with World Wildlife Fund to help outline how to eliminate waste.

Jessica Adelman, Kroger's group VP of corporate affairs, called Kroger's initiative a "bold goal" for 2025, but "Kroger's deep heritage of generosity gave us the confidence to use our scale for good." 

"Kroger's plan is both ambitious and focused—to address food insecurity in our communities in a greater way by accelerating food donations to provide 3 billion meals by 2025, reducing food waste throughout our operations, advocating for Zero Hunger, Zero Waste public policy solutions, forming NGO and stakeholder partnerships because we know we can't do it alone, plus establishing the $10 million Zero Hunger, Zero Waste Innovation Fund," she said. "Together, we believe Kroger's Zero Hunger, Zero Waste plan will transform communities across America and improve health for millions."