Sustainability is a core component of Amy’s Kitchen’s operations, as the organic food company continues to grow while maintaining its commitment to environmental awareness.
Renaud des Rosiers has been director of sustainability at Amy’s Kitchen for eight years and has played a vital role in maintaining the company’s eco-conscious ethos. “As Amy’s subject matter expert on sustainability, I am responsible for measuring, managing, and improving Amy’s direct impact on the planet,” he shared on LinkedIn, adding he has “a passion for helping drive continuous improvement toward environmental efficiency and sustainable operations.”
“As Amy’s director of sustainability, I’ve seen firsthand the genuine benefits of managing resources with sustainability top of mind,” des Rosiers wrote in a Sustainable Brands article. “My team and I are deeply invested in fostering the founders’ vision of promoting environmental stewardship. That starts with good data.
“Amy’s has enjoyed sustained growth in the last four decades as we grew from the limited distribution of natural food stores to establishing a nationwide presence across retail channels, all while being a key force in the growth of the organic food movement and helping guide the establishment of national organic-certification standards.”
Des Rosiers shared Amy’s Kitchen is harnessing technology platforms such as the cloud-based software service Atrius to make operations even greener. Atrius is a tool to measure and analyze progress toward eco-friendly goals.
“At Amy’s, our love for people and the planet is at the core of everything we do,” des Rosiers said on atrius.com. “The Atrius Sustainability Starter is an accessible entry point for any organization to expand [environmental, social, and governance] objectives, reduce carbon footprint, and play an active role in combating climate change. We’re proud to include Atrius Sustainability’s Enterprise offering as a key solution for helping us track and achieve our sustainability goals.”
Amy’s Kitchen’s dedication to sustainability is evident throughout its supply chain. The company sources organic ingredients from farmers, emphasizing the importance of supporting local agriculture, producing all non-GMO foods and remaining as local as possible regarding ingredients.
Amy’s actively promotes approximately 30,000 acres of organic agriculture, which has led to the production of over 100 million pounds of organic produce annually, according to Amy’s 2023 impact report. “Our goal is to bolster the organic farming sector with purchasing power and advocacy through partnerships with organizations like the Organic Trade Association,” the report stated.
“We also invest in our farmers and supply chain to continually improve organic methods that foster soil health, preserve biodiversity, and eliminate the need for harmful and long-lasting pesticides.”
What exactly are the core benefits of organic farming? Amy’s impact report mentions this type of agriculture can increase biodiversity by 30% and boost pollinator diversity by as much as 50% while releasing 40% fewer carbon emissions while yielding fruits and vegetables that contain nearly 70% higher levels of antioxidants than conventional produce.
Packing a Powerful Eco-Friendly Difference
The packaging strategies at Amy’s Kitchen also reflect its environmental commitments. The company has been working on reducing its use of plastic and transitioning to more sustainable solutions. This includes investing in biodegradable materials and designing packaging that uses less material without compromising product integrity. These initiatives are part of a broader effort to reduce the company’s carbon footprint and contribute to the global effort against climate change.
“Today, about 75% of our packaging is either compostable or recyclable, and we’re in late-stage trials to get the remaining 25%,” Amy’s Kitchen President Paul Schiefer explained. “So we can be at a place where not just the food is sustainable, but the packaging itself is a truly closed loop and can be returned either to the soil as compost or to the recycler as fiberboard that can be used for another generation.”
Amy’s Kitchen aims to lead by example. “We firmly believe in the concept of doing well by doing good,” the 2023 impact report declared. “Our commitment to taking care of the planet is woven into every aspect of our operations, from responsibly sourcing ingredients to sustainable kitchen practices and eco-friendly packaging methods.”
Cooking up a Greener Future: Amy’s Kitchen’s Steadfast Commitment to Sustainability
Amy’s Kitchen’s production facilities further highlight its sustainability efforts. The company operates plants that are designed to be as energy-efficient as possible, utilizing solar panels and other renewable energy sources. Waste reduction is another crucial focus, with systems in place to minimize food waste and recycle water during the manufacturing process. Amy’s Kitchen is saving roughly 12 million gallons of water a year, according to its 2023 impact report.
Amy’s Kitchen also engages with various stakeholders to promote sustainability beyond its immediate business operations. The company partners with environmental organizations and participates in community initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable practices. Through these partnerships, Amy’s Kitchen not only amplifies its influence, but also encourages other companies and individuals to consider more sustainable lifestyles.
“We’ve always embraced the belief that everyone deserves access to nourishing, organic meals crafted with the finest ingredients,” Amy’s Kitchen’s co-founders Andy and Rachel Berliner stated in the company’s 2023 impact report. “It’s the foundation of our commitment to sustainability as we strive to protect Earth’s resources for future generations and make a positive impact on the communities we serve.”
In 2021, des Rosiers offered some tips on water conservation during California’s historic drought. “Since our start in 1987, Amy’s has taken water conservation seriously. It’s in our DNA to protect our precious water resource,” des Rosiers said in a video.
“We were proud to see this commitment recognized by the city of Santa Rosa [California] when we won the 2019 Commercial Water Use Efficiency Partner of the Year Award for a project right here at our Santa Rosa plant that saves over a million gallons of water every month. We continue to remain focused on smart water use.”
In addition to companywide sustainability efforts, Amy’s Kitchen encourages fans to actively participate in ecological practices that benefit the planet.
Des Rosiers shared some recommendations for those concerned about excessive water usage, including urging them to water gardens and lawns only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. to reduce evaporation.
“Fix leaks. Test your toilets for leaks with free dye tabs from your water provider,” des Rosiers suggested. “Even though you can’t see it, leaking toilets waste significant amounts of water on a continuous basis. Minimize water use in laundry. Only wash full loads of laundry and save over 15 gallons with each avoided load.”