Southeastern Grocers ESG report shows focus on in-store brand

Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, announced the release of its 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report, showing the grocer’s progress in sustainability, community engagement and values-driven operations.

The grocer’s ESG report highlights its progress in key areas aligned with six United Nations Sustainable Development Goals addressing hunger, health, education, inequalities, responsible consumption and production, and ocean conservation.

In 2022, SEG, together with its charitable arm the SEG Gives Foundation, donated more than $700,000 and 14 million pounds of food to help alleviate hunger, as well as $2.55 million to support crucial emergency assistance, disaster preparedness and relief programs both locally in the wake of Hurricane Ian, and overseas in support of the citizens of Ukraine. The grocer also donated more than $1.25 million to Folds of Honor, providing more than 250 educational scholarships to the children and spouses of fallen and disabled military service members; and gave nearly $2 million in support to various military, health and local community initiatives. SEG, headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., expanded its giving focus in 2022 to support more causes dedicated to elevating belonging, inclusion and diversity, allowing the grocer to make a larger impact within its communities while empowering authenticity, educating the broader society and eliminating long-standing barriers. In its third year, SEG’s Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Program presented 30 nonprofits with funds totaling $300,000 – supporting more organizations than in years prior.

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Additionally, SEG is committed to increasing sustainability for its Own Brand packaging by the end of 2028. To achieve this, the grocer is taking steps to eliminate the use of polystyrene, and ensure all packaging is either reusable, recyclable or industrially compostable. Furthermore, SEG is working to include an average of 30% post-consumer recycled material in all Own Brand packaging. The grocer also continues to collaborate with supplier partners and stakeholders to work toward achieving industry-established sustainable product and packaging goals. As part of its collaboration with supplier partners, SEG is working to define clear objectives that result in the betterment of animal welfare and pollinators. In 2022, SEG committed to the guiding principles of The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare to further enhance its animal welfare policy, and outlined policies to nurture and protect the planet’s vital pollinator populations to help safeguard food security now and for future generations.

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SEG recently formed a partnership with Relocalize to pilot ice manufacturing in an autonomous micro-factory, designed to help eliminate middle-mile logistics to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, water waste and plastic pollution. This manufacturing process launched in March 2023 with the introduction of SE Grocers Party Cubes, a cubed ice made efficiently, locally and on-demand for select Jacksonville locations.