The Latest Sustainability Update from Sweet Harvest Foods

At Sweet Harvest Foods, we define sustainability as doing more with less, being good stewards of the Earth and enabling our customers to do the same. That mindset guides how we operate today and how we prepare for the future. In 2025, we made significant strides in strengthening our program across three major initiatives.

EXTENDED PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY (EPR)

Across the U.S., new sustainability-related policies and mandates continue to expand. Sweet Harvest Foods stays ahead of these changes rather than reacting to them. One major area of focus has been Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

EPR laws shift responsibility for packaging waste management to producers, requiring better material tracking, transparency and reporting. In 2025, Sweet Harvest Foods began reviewing packaging materials, weights and recyclability to prepare for compliance as these laws roll out in additional states.

SUPPLIER LEADERSHIP ON CLIMATE TRANSITION (S-LOCT)

In 2025, we advanced our sustainability efforts by joining S-LOCT. The program enabled us to establish our first emissions baseline. With this baseline complete, we have a clearer picture of our environmental footprint, and we can identify opportunities to improve data quality and efficiency over time. We recently earned our first climate milestone within the S-LOCT program for this work and were awarded a badge recognizing the development of our GHG Protocol-Aligned Scope 1 & 2 Footprint.

WASTE REDUCTION

Waste reduction has been a significant part of our sustainability program, and we are working toward a long-term vision of zero waste at our sites. In winter 2025, we took a significant step forward by partnering with the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Waste Wise program and Dakota County on a plastic film waste reduction project. Through this partnership, Sweet Harvest Foods received funding for balers, collection bins, custom multi-lingual signage and employee training.

As a result, we began separating and baling plastic film for proper recycling through a local hauler. In just two weeks of launch, we compiled and recycled 690 pounds of plastic film, directly diverting it from the landfill. An added benefit was a noticeable reduction in the time employees spent taking out trash, which was especially welcome during the cold Minnesota winter.

WHAT’S NEXT?

In 2026, we’ll continue building on this momentum, including hosting our 2nd annual Earth Day celebration and clean-up at all manufacturing locations.

WHY ALL THIS MATTERS

Sustainability isn’t just a goal; it’s a better way of operating. Reducing waste, improving data and designing smarter systems helps Sweet Harvest Foods work more efficiently, stay ahead of regulations and responsibly manage the resources we rely on every day. Every improvement from a single recycled bale to long-term data tracking adds up. It’s the daily actions of employees across Sweet Harvest Foods that make this progress possible, and we appreciate every employee and their dedication in making an impact for the company and for the environment.

To view this report as a print-friendly PDF, click here.