Sargento Real Impact Report highlights company's humanitarian efforts
Sargento published its 2024 Real Impact Report highlighting the company's commitments and progress across three core pillars: people, planet and product.
The 2024 Real Impact Report highlights milestones such as the 2,848 hours of company-led community service, which is nearly twice the volunteerism of 2023. This volunteering effort helped build two more homes for Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, construct 40 beds for area children in need and feed 1,550 children with a much-needed lunch in a single Day of Action. Sargento also succeeded in diverting 91% of waste from landfills and reducing water usage by 10%, earning yet another AA+ food-safety rating—the highest possible—across all five of its production facilities.
"Since my grandfather started Sargento in 1953, our focus has been to bring new products to peoples' lives and treating our stakeholders like family," said third-generation Chairman and CEO Louie Gentine. "This year's report celebrates the progress we've made because of our values and our focus. We see our stakeholders as family and understand the difference we can make by working together."
Additional noteworthy achievements detailed in the report across the company's three Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pillars — People, Planet, and Product — include:
PEOPLE
- $1.9 million in Touchdowns for Hunger donations since 2002, making over 1 million meals possible
- $1.2 million + 1,200 Day of Caring volunteer hours contributed to United Way
- 17 truckloads of cheese and food donated to area food pantries
- 19 college degrees earned using $613,000 (in aggregate) in tuition reimbursement assistance
- $297,200 in Double Helping for Hunger donations since 2018
- $184,500 in Tipoff for Homes donations since 2019
PLANET
- 15 million gallons of water saved at Sargento's Kiel plant, reducing corporate usage overall by 10%
- 91% of waste diverted from landfills
PRODUCT
- Launched the fan-favorite Sargento Fun! Balanced Breaks® and Flavored String Cheeses
- 100% of suppliers are engaged in environmental and/or sustainable initiatives
The report also celebrates the retirements of longtime leaders: 3rd generation family owner Mike "Mac" McEvoy and Kristi Jankowski. Their contributions shaped Sargento's operational growth and product innovation. As Sargento welcomes a new generation of leadership and employees, the company remains committed to its vision: to be the most innovative, best-loved, real food company in America.
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