Earlier this month, Barron’s released its first (soon to be annual) list of the most sustainable companies in the United States. The ranking criteria included everything from greenhouse gas emissions and human rights to workplace diversity and accounting policies.
Food processors, retailers, and their suppliers made a very strong showing — almost 1 in 5 companies on the list is related to the food industry.
#10 Xylem
Xylem provides engineered solutions throughout the water cycle. Their offerings for food and beverage include raw material analysis as well as waste management and environmental monitoring for foodservice operations.
Barron’s score (out of 100): 73
#15 Darden Restaurants
The Darden Restaurants family of full-service dining establishments includes Olive Garden, Yard House, and LongHorn Steakhouse.
Barron’s score: 73
#17 Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies makes measuring and monitoring equipment. Their food and beverage industry offerings include beverage analysis, infant formula and dairy testing, and other laboratory and testing services.
Barron’s score: 72
#19 Flowserve
Flowserve provides pumps, valves, seals, automation, and services, including solutions for bottling operations, breweries, canneries, and food and beverage water and wastewater applications.
Barron’s score: 72
#26 PepsiCo
The first food manufacturer on the list, PepsiCo has recently expanded its sustainability initiatives.
Barron’s score: 71
#29 Ecolab
Ecolab is a leader in water, hygiene, and energy technologies and services. They provide food safety solutions for many segments of the food and beverage industry.
Barron’s score: 70
#32 AGCO
AGCO manufacturers agricultural technology and machinery, including equipment for seed processing and protein production.
Barron’s score: 70
#33 Kellogg
Kellogg’s sustainability initiatives include their Breakfast for Better Days program to provide breakfast for people in need.
Barron’s score: 70
#34 International Flavors & Fragrances
International Flavors & Fragrances creates sensory experiences. Their flavors program focuses on natural, clean-label products.
Barron’s score: 69
#41 Starbucks
Starbucks has made a commitment to ethical, responsible sourcing and minimizing their environmental footprint.
Barron’s score: 69
#45 Illinois Tool Works
Illinois Tool Works manufactures a variety of industrial equipment, including for dishwashing, cooking, refrigeration, and food processing.
Barron’s score: 69
#48 McCormick
Last year at the World Economic Forum, McCormick was named the 14th most sustainable corporation in the world, and #1 in the food products industry.
Barron’s score: 68
#57 Campbell Soup
In addition to other sustainability initiatives, Campbell Soup has made a commitment to cut water consumption and greenhouse emissions in half by 2020.
Barron’s score: 68
#63 Mettler-Toledo International
Mettler-Toledo International supplies balances, scales, and other measurement and inspection devices for the food industry and beyond.
Barron’s score: 67
#69 Dover Corporation
Dover Corporation’s food industry solutions include refrigeration equipment as well as cooking and food preparation equipment for foodservice applications.
Barron’s score: 67
#72 Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison makes packaging and labeling solutions, including for food and beverage products.
Barron’s score: 66
#90 Sonoco Products
Sonoco is another packaging provider with solutions across the food and beverage industry.
Barron’s score: 65
#93 Yum! Brands
Yum! Brands is a family of quick-service restaurants that includes KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell.
Barron’s score: 65
Click here to see the full rankings and the methodology Barron’s used to derive them.
