## Conagra Brands Recognizes Employee Sustainability Champions with 2024 Awards
Conagra Brands, a leading North American food company, has announced the winners of its annual Sustainable Development Awards. This program celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions of employees who are driving positive change through impactful sustainability initiatives.
The 2024 awards focused on five key categories: Climate Change, Packaging, Responsible Sourcing, Water Reduction, and Waste Reduction. Each category highlighted projects that demonstrated significant progress in reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices.
A Celebration of Innovation and Environmental Responsibility
Christine Daugherty, Vice President of Sustainability at Conagra Brands, expressed her pride in the award winners, stating, “At Conagra Brands, our Sustainable Development Awards highlight our employees’ remarkable ingenuity in creating environmentally responsible solutions.” She emphasized that these efforts are crucial in driving improvements across Conagra’s facilities and underscore the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
Recognizing the Impactful Projects
This year’s winners showcased innovative solutions across a range of areas:
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Climate Change:
The Maple Grove, Minnesota team implemented energy-efficient air units, resulting in a 12% decrease in natural gas usage and annual savings of $36,000.*
Packaging:
The Rensselaer, Indiana team redesigned shipping pallets for Orville Redenbacher’s®, increasing the number of popcorn jugs per pallet by 30. This change eliminated the need for 34 metric tons of packaging annually and also reduced CO2 emissions by 79 metric tons.*
Responsible Sourcing:
The Darien, Wisconsin plant transformed 152 acres of farmland into hayfields and natural prairies, significantly reducing fertilizer and herbicide use while enhancing local wildlife habitats, controlling erosion, and providing hay for local farmers.*
Water Reduction:
The Waterloo, Iowa team upgraded their automated cleaning room with a modern system that recovers cleaning solutions and optimizes wash cycles. This project led to a savings of over one million gallons of water, reduced energy and chemical use, and provided valuable data for future improvements.*
Waste Reduction:
The Waterloo, Iowa team implemented a data-driven project to minimize waste from DAVID® Sunflower Seeds. This effort resulted in annual savings of $485,000, reduced yield loss by approximately 6%, and eliminated nearly 200 tons of waste.Award of Excellence:
The Irapuato, Mexico team received the prestigious Award of Excellence for their impressive biogas system upgrade. By installing turbines and a heat exchanger, the team achieved an 8% reduction in energy consumption and a 6% decrease in natural gas use, while also generating 8% of the site’s electricity.Empowering Employees to Make a Difference
Each winning project team received a $5,000 grant from the Conagra Brands Foundation. This grant empowers employees to invest in their local communities, making a tangible difference in the areas where they live and work.
Conagra Brands’ commitment to sustainability is evident in its ongoing initiatives and its dedication to recognizing the valuable contributions of its employees. By celebrating innovation and environmental responsibility, Conagra Brands continues to inspire positive change within its operations and beyond.
For further insights into Conagra’s sustainability efforts, visit their 2023 Citizenship Report.
