Dive Brief:
- The Raley’s Companies has partnered with Divert, a food waste prevention company, to implement the company’s systems across 118 Raley’s division stores, according to a Thursday press release.
- The companies are working to address food insecurity and reduce food waste by advancing a “circular food system,” which includes minimizing food waste through food donations and food recovery programs.
- This partnership helps Raley’s meet California state regulations that aim to divert organic waste from landfills.
Dive Insight:
So far, the regional grocer has used Divert’s insights to expand its donation guidelines and best practices to encompass a wider range of fresh food, leading to increased donations. Food that isn’t donated is taken to a Divert facility in Turlock, California, where it is made into carbon-negative renewable energy and material that gets added to improve soil.
The grocery company implemented Divert’s systems chainwide within a month, equipping its stores with Divert’s IoT tracking and data insights. The tie-up also provided store walkthroughs with personnel in the Feeding America network of local food banks.
Raley’s work with Divert is also in compliance with California regulations that aim to reduce organic waste landfill disposal, according to waste management and environmental services company WM.
While the grocer’s partnership with Divert only includes banners under the Raley’s division, Raley’s has recently made sustainability updates across its entire footprint. Last year, The Raley’s Companies evaluated its company footprint and operations portfolio to establish benchmarks for areas like sustainability and labor. This effort also included an updated impact report, which for the first time took into account both the Raley’s division and Bashas’ family of brands.
