KANSAS CITY, MO. – Two prominent meat and poultry processing companies were represented in Newsweek’s list of “America’s Most Responsible Companies 2022.” Laurel, Miss.-based Sanderson Farms Inc. and Austin, Minn.-based Hormel Foods Corp. both made the third annual list, which was compiled as part of a partnership between Newsweek and Statista, a research and data company. Newsweek said this year’s ranking was expanded to include 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States.

Nancy Cooper, Newsweek’s editor in chief, said some corporations take their responsibilities to the environment and their communities more seriously than others and the list highlights the corporations that step up efforts related to their responsibility as corporate citizens.

“Just as with people, companies can be bad neighbors or good neighbors, grudging or generous, helpful or unhelpful to those around them,” she said.

The ranked companies cover 14 industry subcategories and include several food-related businesses, including Yum! Brands, Campbell Soup and Kroger. This year’s list is the first that has included Sanderson Farms while Hormel has made the list all three years.

“The businesses on our list are in dozens of different industries and vary widely in size. But they all share a set (of) values and we are proud to recognize them,” Cooper said.

To be eligible, companies had to have published a Corporate Responsibility Report and have data available about their environmental, social and corporate governance performance. Sanderson’s overall rank was No. 440, with an overall score of 65.6; an environmental score of 58.7; a social score of 67.2; and a corporate governance score of 71. Hormel ranked No. 371 on this year’s list with an overall score of 68.4; an environmental score of 64.1; social score of 80.2; and a corporate governance score of 61.

“We are honored to be recognized as a leading company in corporate responsibility, not only by Newsweek, but also by consumers nationwide,” said Joe F. Sanderson Jr., chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Sanderson Farms. “Our strong record of sustainability is another way we care for the community and the world around us,” Sanderson said.

Wendy Watkins, senior vice president and chief communications officer for Hormel said the company is proud to be a part of the list for the past three years.

“As a global branded food company, we continue to focus on being a thought leader and changemaker in the world of food,” she said. “Our leadership in food security, environmental sustainability and even our groundbreaking community college program demonstrates our commitment to this planet, our communities and our inspired people.”