2022 Del Monte Foods, Inc. ESG Update: Letter From Our CEO
Five Years as a Grower of Good
Originally published in Del Monte Foods’ 2022 ESG Update Report
Letter from Greg Longstreet, President and CEO Del Monte Foods, Inc.
Reflecting on my first five years at the helm of Del Monte Foods, Inc., I am proud to see how our team members have enriched our legacy as growers of good. This drew me to the company and continues to drive us to deliver for our people, planet, and communities.
The world around us is constantly changing. Del Monte Foods team members have navigated so much in the last year, including the impacts of inflation, supply chain challenges, a global food crisis, and continued pandemic headwinds. The perspectives we gained across these marked events solidified our focus as a purpose-driven company.
In the last year, we celebrated milestones and set ambitious forward-looking commitments. We made progress on our environmental goals by establishing our net-zero emissions strategy, aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative, and launching five Upcycled Certified products by the Upcycled Food Association. We also advanced our commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion by focusing on diverse talent and growing our Employee Resource Groups.
However, as a 135+ year-old brand, we know there is always more progress that can be made, and we understand our responsibility to cultivate meaningful change. We’ve seen an increasing need to address the wellness gap for youth, and believe we can help build a world where improved physical, mental, and social well-being is more accessible to all. To achieve this long-term ambition, Del Monte Foods is investing $5 million over the next ten years to support the well-being of youth and communities across the U.S. As part of this commitment, we’re partnering with the nonprofit Alliance for a Healthier Generation to develop nutrition education resources for students and their families, centering primarily around under-resourced communities. This focus will direct our actions today and guide our impact through the next decade.
I’m certain that the next five years at the company will be as dynamic as my first. The world will likely shift again and present new challenges. What will remain constant is our Del Monte Foods spirit of perseverance and the passion our team members show for the great work we’re doing. Through it all, we’ll continue to cultivate a healthier planet and grow good together.
Sincerely,
Greg Longstreet
Download the Del Monte Foods 2022 ESG Update on the company’s website
