Tyson Foods’ 5 sustainability pillars

For Tyson Foods, sustainable business practices aren’t only important to the future of the company, but also for the future of food security, Leigh Ann Johnston told the audience at the Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit, held as part of the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) on February 12.

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Leigh Ann Johnston, Tyson Foods sustainability manager, discusses the company's sustainability initiative at the 2019 International Production & Processing Expo. (Roy Graber)
Leigh Ann Johnston, Tyson Foods sustainability manager, discusses the company's sustainability initiative at the 2019 International Production & Processing Expo. (Roy Graber)

For Tyson Foods, sustainable business practices aren’t only important to the future of the company, but also for the future of food security, Leigh Ann Johnston told the audience at the Animal Agriculture Sustainability Summit, held as part of the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) on February 12.

“For Tyson, sustainability is the key to our future, and it’s also the key to feeding a growing population. By 2050, most of us are aware, we’re going to have to feed an addition 2 billion people,” said Johnston, sustainability manager for Tyson Foods.

“Because Tyson produces 1 in 5 pounds of chicken beef and pork in the United States, and we export to more than 100 countries around the world, we feel like we’re uniquely positioned to help recreate what it means to feed a growing population, and do it in a manner where we’re focused on sustainability and responsibility.”

Johnston said the company has a whole-hearted interest in sustainability, and has established a set of five pillars in which to set and achieve sustainability goals. And those five pillars, listed below, are all part of a holistic approach, as Tyson believes “all parts of sustainability are interconnected,” she said.

With each of the pillars, Tyson has established a value statement and a set of goals, Johnston explained.

1. Animal welfare

Value statement:

Transparently advance animal welfare and experience

Goals:

  • Be a leader in animal experience research and innovation, concerning issues such as housing, lighting and stunning.
  • Have the most transparent animal welfare practices in food

2. Environment

Value statement:

Reduce environmental impact as Tyson Foods feeds the world

Goals:

  • Reduce greenhouse gasses by 30 percent by 2030
  • Reduce water use by 12 percent by 2020
  • Optimize land stewardship practices on 2 million acres by 2020

3. Workplace

Value statement:

Enable company’s team members to reach their unique potential

Goals:

  • Access to English as a second language and financial literacy training to all employees
  • 10 percent reduction in incidents recordable by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  • 10 percent increase in retention

4. Communities

Value statement:

Support the communities Tyson Foods serves where help is needed most

Goal:

Allocate $50 million in cash and in-kind contributions to fight hunger by 2020

5. Food

Value statement:

Deliver highest levels of food safety

Goals:

  • Pilot blockchain with FoodLogiQ to digitally connect Tyson’s entire supply chain and allow for greater transparency and food safety
  • Other commitments are under evaluation
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