Greggs gives a taste of its green moves
NORTH East bakery chain Greggs has revealed progress on its 10step pledge to make the world a better place.
The Newcastle business launched the Greggs Pledge in 2021, highlighting 10 commitments aimed at improving the planet, as outlined in its annual sustainability report.
The sustainability pledge is based upon three key areas – building stronger and healthier communities, making the planet safer and being a better business – with targets including reducing its environmental impact, boosting healthier choice options and moving towards using 100% renewable energy across all its operations.
Three years on, Greggs said its dedication to good continues, with its fourth annual sustainability report outlining the progress it has made towards its 2025 targets, while setting out focus areas for the year ahead.
During the report period, the bakery giant opened its 896th Greggs Foundation Breakfast Club – 107 more than the year before – feeding over 62,000 children every school day, while almost £650,000 of Greggs Outlet profits have been donated to the Greggs Foundation Community Grant programme for communities in need.
By the end of 2025, it is targeting more than 1,000 school Breakfast Clubs, providing 70,000 meals each school day, and this year it plans to open a further 54.
The company has pledged to create 25% less food waste by the end of 2025 than in 2018, and to continue to work towards seeing all of its of surplus food go to those most in need.
Last year, it reduced the amount of food waste it creates in its manufacturing operations by a further 10% and increased food redistribution to 41.9%. This year, it aims to increase unsold food redistribution to 45%.
During the year Greggs opened its 35th outlet shop, putting it on target to have 50 by the end of 2025.
This year it aims to have 41 operating, and says it will also trial two light van collections. One of its 2025 targets was to have 30% of items on Greggs’ shelves as heathier choices and it said it will continue to push its healthier choice range.
Meanwhile, it is also seeking to have 25% of shops with elements from its EcoShop ‘shop of the future’ design and it believes it will reach that goal this year as 21%, more than 500 shops, already have Eco-Shop elements.
Roisin Currie, chief executive at Greggs, said: “I’m delighted that, in key areas, we have already achieved what we set out to do by the end of 2025. We have significantly exceeded our target to make 30% of our products a healthier choice; and our responsible sourcing policies are firmly established ahead of schedule.
“However, we’re always determined to do better. We believe in setting ambitious targets that push us to think innovatively and collaborate effectively, even in demanding circumstances.
“It’s important we continue to look ahead and expand upon our goals beyond 2025. We will focus on what is material to our business in the years ahead, including our responsibility in promoting regenerative and sustainable agriculture.
“We acknowledge the pressing global issue of biodiversity loss and our suppliers and farmers play pivotal roles in addressing this.
“Our commitment to ‘doing good’ is ingrained in our company culture, it’s part of our DNA and we take pride in the feedback from our colleagues who tell us our Pledge goals and progress makes them proud to work for Greggs.”