SpartanNash eliminating 10% of fleet mileage in 2022

Food wholesaler and retailer SpartanNash announced Thursday it is reducing the company’s carbon footprint in 2022 through an annual fleet mileage decrease in excess of 7 million miles, representing 10% of total fleet mileage. According to the company, this network optimization eliminates nearly 10,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and provides faster, fresher and more cost-effective deliveries for SpartanNash’s food retailer customers.

“Network optimization is a key component of our supply chain transformation initiative as well as an opportunity to make significant progress with regard to our ESG (environmental, social and governance) journey,” said SpartanNash senior vice president and chief supply chain officer David Petko. “When food is traveling fewer miles, everyone wins — our customers, our consumers and our planet.” 

SpartanNash is forming strategic alliances with logistics partners to improve efficiency and service for its growing network of customers from coast to coast. These partnerships drive supply chain efficiencies, saving an estimated 1 million gallons of diesel annually and representing the equivalent of more than 100 tankers of gasoline, energy for more than 1,000 homes for one year, or more than 20,000 barrels of oil. It is the carbon sequestered by more than 150,000 tree seedlings grown for 10 years.

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Optimizing the supply chain is among several focus areas for the company’s ESG strategy. Earlier this year, SpartanNash published a vendor code of conduct and human rights policy to further demonstrate commitment to ESG-forward practices.  

“Making progress against our ESG objectives is a companywide priority going into 2022,” said SpartanNash president and CEO Tony Sarsam. “SpartanNash’s mission is to deliver the ingredients for a better life, and we are committed to doing that as responsibly and sustainably as possible for the customers and communities we serve.”

Byron Center, Mich.-based SpartanNash is a food solutions company whose core businesses include distributing grocery products to a diverse group of independent and chain retailers, its corporate-owned retail stores, and U.S. military commissaries and exchanges; as well as operating a premier fresh produce distribution network and its Our Family brand. In addition to its wholesale grocery business, SpartanNash operates 146 supermarkets in the Midwest, primarily under the Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets, D&W Fresh Market, VG’s Grocery and Dan’s Supermarket banners.