Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Business Sustainability
• Associate Excellence
• Community Involvement
• Environmental Awareness

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced annual water consumption by 20% with new CIP system at Juda cheese expansion
• Reduced annual chemical use by 10% with new chemical dosing system at Juda cheese expansion
• Installed an anaerobic digester at Juda facility that transforms waste into energy
• Reduced phosphorus losses due to runoff by nearly half a ton per year at Brownsville facility through minimal-till farming and crop rotations
• Completed 21 projects at Juda facility to save over 42,000,000 gallons of water annually
• Juda anaerobic digester supplied 11% of the Juda whey plant electrical requirements in its first year
• Energy saved from whey heat recovery equivalent to electricity used in 140 Wisconsin homes for a year

Social Achievements

• Updated Associates Striving for Excellence (ASE) program to improve onboarding and integration of new Associates
• Launched the Greater Purpose Program, providing financial contributions to Associates in need
• Opened seven on-site Health and Wellness Centers for Associates and their dependents
• Launched a new wellness partnership with Asset Health, with 78% of Associates and 36% of spouses participating
• Implemented the Grande Observation (GO) program, resulting in a 25% reduction in safety incidents in the first year
• Developed Corporate Apprenticeship Program and a robust Internship Program

Governance Achievements

• Implemented Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to improve sustainability practices, process efficiencies, and collaboration

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Global competition for talent
• World pandemic impacting the foodservice industry
• Maintaining sustainable farming practices amidst challenging financial and economic conditions in the agricultural industry

Mitigation Strategies

• Launched Grande Operator Support Program and Greater Purpose Program to support Operators and Associates
• Partnered with Producers, farmer-led conservation groups, and other key industry sustainability leaders to maintain sustainable farming practices
• Implemented various initiatives to improve Associate well-being, development, and safety

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Partnership with Grande Producers in FARM-AC, PACE, and FARM-ES programs

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment

Certifications: LEED Gold Certification (Home Office)

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Grande Gusto®

Awards & Recognition

• 2019 U.S. Green Building Council Leadership Award (Home Office)
• 2021 U.S. Dairy Sustainability Award: Outstanding Supply Chain Collaboration (Milkshed Sustainability Pilot Project)