SEATTLE – On March 7, Darigold, Inc. received the U.S. Dairy Export Council Award for Outstanding Dairy Processing & Manufacturing Sustainability. This award recognizes processing and manufacturing businesses that demonstrate outstanding achievements in sustainability. The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy launched the inaugural U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards to recognize dairy producers, processors and others from across the industry who are working together to build on the dairy industry’s history of stewardship and continuous improvement in meeting the needs of a growing population. The winners of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards were announced on March 7, 2012 in a special awards ceremony in Washington D.C. The awards highlight the dairy industry’s longstanding commitment to healthy people, healthy products, and a healthy planet.
“Through their establishment of goals, measurement implementation and leadership in reporting, Darigold has become a model for dairy sustainability efforts,” said Erin Fitzgerald, senior vice president of sustainability for the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, which was founded by dairy producers. “Their systemic approach to achieving company-wide results is very impressive, and we are thrilled to recognize them as one of this year’s winners.”
Through a company-wide commitment to sustainability, Darigold is engaging with employees, its member-owner farmers, suppliers and customers to design and implement ideas that enhance sustainability across the entire value chain. Darigold is focused on continuously improving its performance regarding environmental stewardship, community involvement and economic prosperity for its farmer-owners. In 2009, Darigold achieved a nearly 50 percent improvement in fuel usage, saving more than 216,000 gallons of diesel fuel annually. Last year, Darigold completed more than 20 sustainability-driven packaging redesigns, greatly reducing cardboard and plastic usage.
“Darigold is honored to be recognized by the industry for our work in being a good corporate citizen,” says Darigold President & CEO Jim Wegner. “From our 550-plus member farms to our more than 1,500 employees, we are committed to doing business in a way that enhances environmental stewardship, fosters community and social responsibility and yields economic prosperity. This dedication is not a new idea, but one that is deeply ingrained within us. As long-time stewards of the land, our member-owners farm on multi-generation dairies, producing high-quality, nutritious food for their families, communities and the world.”
One of Darigold’s member-owners was also recognized for achievements in sustainability making Washington State based dairy operations winners in two of the three sustainability award categories. The Werkhoven Dairy of Monroe, Wash., received the Elanco Award for Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability at the March 7 ceremony. The award recognizes the farm’s leadership in environmental stewardship and community involvement.
Source: Darigold, Inc.
