AUSTIN, MINN. – Hormel Foods Corp. released its 15^th annual corporate responsibility report, highlighting the success of its environmental and corporate stewardship programs in fiscal 2020, and its goals through 2030.

“Our commitment to making the world in which we live a better place has never wavered,” said Jim Snee, president and chief executive officer of Hormel. “We’re proud that we surpassed our 2020 nonrenewable energy use, water use, solid waste sent to landfills and product packaging reduction goals and achieved our goal to deliver 15% of sales from innovative new items.” 

One area the company highlighted in 2020 was the implementation of projects to reduce water use by 119 million gallons, energy use by more than 98,000 MMBtu and product packaging by over 553,000 lbs.

Next, Hormel conducted more than 1,900 audits on its animal care standards. During January 2021, Hormel started its Antibiotic Stewardship Report that provides information and metrics on some of the farms in the supply chain regarding antibiotics over the last several years. 

More than 500 new retail and foodservice items were launched by Hormel in 2020 while also continuing its clean-label initiative to simplify the ingredient statements of many products. This included sodium reduction efforts.

Hormel also spotlighted its COVID-19 efforts, which included educational materials, a paid leave and pay protection program; access to personal protective equipment (PPE); enhanced sanitation procedures, daily wellness screenings and several town hall meetings with health care experts from the nearby Mayo Clinic. Additionally, the company paid more than $11 million in special cash bonuses to its essential production professionals. 

A state-of-the art health center was opened by Hormel Foods as well that is close to its global headquarters and flagship plant. 

Donations were also provided by Hormel throughout the fiscal year including $8.2 million in cash and products for the community.

A part of the report included Hormel’s “20 by 30 Challenge” which set 20 goals to achieve by the end of this decade. Some of the areas the challenge touches on include products, supply chain, environmental sustainability goals, resources for people, and investment in the community. 

The entire corporate responsibility report is available here.