Safeway Becomes First Food Retailer in California to Enroll in Manomet’s Grocery Stewardship Certification
Safeway enrolls 11 Northern California stores
Safeway announced today that 11 grocery stores in Northern California have joined Manomet’s Grocery Stewardship Certification (GSC) program. These are the first stores in California to pilot this sustainability program. Enrollment in the GSC recognizes the company’s commitment to incorporating operational sustainability best practices in stores, reducing its environmental impact and saving resources.
“Safeway prioritizes sustainability throughout all of our operations and was excited about the opportunity to pilot the GSC at our California stores,” said Jonathan Mayes, Senior Vice President, External Affairs & Chief Diversity Officer. “The GSC showed us the areas where we are excelling, as well as where we can make improvements. We’re also delighted by how engaged our employees were during the entire process, and how we can continue to further embed sustainable best practices in our stores.” As a result of their sustainable operating practices, Safeway has lowered its energy footprint, conserved water and diverted food waste from the landfill.
“It is clear that Safeway is committed to responsibility, sustainability, and community,” said Peter Cooke, program manager for the GSC. “Successful operational sustainability practices at grocery stores do more than just save resources. They help retailers save money, which in turn helps keep prices down for consumers. We are excited to work with Safeway in Northern California and hope to expand the program.”
Since launching in 2012, the GSC has worked with more than a dozen retailers in the United States and Canada. The GSC works with grocers to engage employees on operational sustainability strategies and to review store-level practices and equipment with an eye to increasing energy efficiency, boosting revenue and lowering costs. While there are a number of programs that focus on high performance buildings, Manomet’s GSC program expands into employee practices and procedures to further engage retail stores.
