Southeastern Grocers to Overhaul Its Own Brand Products With Sustainable Packaging

Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Winn-Dixie, Fresco y Mas and Harveys Supermarket, is overhauling its line of Own Brand products by eliminating polystyrene packaging—plastics made from petrochemicals—by the end of 2028 and replacing it with more sustainable packaging, the company said in an April 5 statement. It also announced a partnership with labeling system How2Recycle to help better convey recycling instructions to its shoppers.

In response to feedback on ways the grocer could be sustainable, customers, community members and associates voiced a desire for more sustainable packaging. 

As part of its pledge toward sustainability, Southeastern Grocers said it will eliminate the use of polystyrene, which is commonly used in food packaging; make all packaging reusable, recyclable or industrially compostable; and include an average of 30% post-consumer recycled material in all packaging.

“At Southeastern Grocers, we value feedback from our customers, associates and communities and prioritize the matters that mean the most to them,” Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said in a statement.

Hucker said the company is working with its supplier partners "to establish sustainable packaging goals and meet our commitments in 2028. We strive to be the grocer people can always count on, and we mean always.”

Since Southeastern Grocers' Own Brand packaging is just one link in the packaging value chain, the company said on its website that it will work with manufacturers and other stakeholders to help ensure materials stay in use and avoid the landfill.