Kroger’s recently released 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report shares positive advancement toward its seafood sustainability commitments developed with guidance from World Wildlife Fund (WWF). At Kroger, business ownership, clearly defined supplier expectations, support for the Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) model, and advocacy efforts have enabled Kroger’s steady progress.
“The Kroger team recognizes our unique role in the future of food. We are helping build a more resilient and equitable food system that preserves access and affordability—today and in the future—by advancing more responsible and sustainable production methods for the food and seafood we offer our customers. Moving forward, we will continue to work with WWF and emphasize the importance of implementing practices in our supply chains that protect our ocean resources and biodiversity.”
Lisa Zwack, Head of Sustainability at Kroger
The company has been working to boost the sustainability attributes of the seafood it sources for over a decade, setting commitments and participating in long-term partnerships and programs in close collaboration with WWF. The company released a refreshed, expanded seafood sourcing policy last year with a goal to further improve marine ecosystems by driving an even greater positive impact on wild-caught and farmed seafood.
Here are some of Kroger’s 2021 performance highlights:
- 94% of the wild-caught fresh and frozen seafood in our Seafood department was sourced from fisheries aligned with our policy (goal: 95% by 2023);
- 98% of the farm-raised fresh and frozen seafood in our Seafood department was sourced from farms aligned with our policy (goal: 100% by 2023); and
- 98% of shelf-stable tuna in our stores came from suppliers participating in the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) (goal: 100% annually).
In the last year, Kroger’s assortment included seafood sourced from 48 comprehensive fishery improvement projects (FIPs), up from 33 in 2020. Comprehensive FIPs offer a stepwise approach for fisheries to reach MSC certification. They bring together various stakeholders to improve the environmental performance of a fishery and ensure FIP activities align with region-specific interests.
“We are glad to see Kroger advancing their seafood sustainability commitment and expanding their sourcing policy, while making waves as one of the largest FIP supporters in the retail industry. WWF has long been a trusted partner to the company in identifying sustainable sources and contributing to industry efforts to improve fishery practices. In the upcoming years, we will continue to support Kroger’s sustainability pathway to advance positive changes for people and planet.”
Michael Griff, Director of Seafood Markets at WWF
Additionally, in 2021, Kroger expanded its seafood sustainability focus to align the seafood sold by their third-party sushi vendors in Kroger’s deli departments with the requirements in the company’s Seafood Sustainability Policy. As reported by their vendors, in 2021, 99% of the seafood in Kroger’s sushi assortment was aligned with these requirements.
Read more about Kroger’s seafood sustainability commitment and progress here.
