Green Giant - Sustainability

Caring For The Land

With over a century of farming experience, our agricultural roots run deep. As a company whose very existence depends on the land, we have a vested interest in making sure our agricultural practices are truly sustainable. Over the past 70 years we’ve taken steps towards using less land, less water and fewer pesticides. We realize we have further to go on our path to sustainability, but we are excited to share the strides we’ve taken towards the goal of taking green beyond our name.

Less Land Usage

Getting more from less is the cornerstone of our sustainable land use plan. Through farming techniques and better seed hybrids, we’re getting more vegetables from every acre of land. In fact, over the last 35 years our farmers have been able to double the amount of sweet corn they can produce on the same amount of land. That means more food for the world and fewer acres dedicated to agriculture.

Less Water Usage

Water is a precious commodity, which is why we are trying to use less of it to grow our vegetables. One of Green Giant’s programs helps our broccoli farmers in Mexico convert to drip irrigation, which is 50 percent more efficient than traditional irrigation. We’ve already seen huge water savings from 15 percent farmer conversion, and look forward to the giant difference of complete program participation in the future.

Less Pesticide Usage

Responsible use of pesticides allows us to save land and grow vegetables to feed the world. Green Giant is always researching and testing ways to use the least amount of pesticides while maintaining crop yields and honoring our commitment to use less water and less land. For over 50 years, Green Giant has been a leader in pioneering ways to reduce pesticides, including innovative crop rotation techniques, timing of applications and integrated pest management. The results have been impressive — we’ve reduced the pounds of pesticides used to grow our sweet corn by over 90 percent, and cut the number of applications in half.

Efficient Packaging

First and foremost, our packaging is designed to insure our vegetables arrive in your kitchen as fresh and delicious as possible. By providing canned and frozen vegetables that can be stored for long periods of time without decreasing in quality, we give our customers the ability to have nutritious foods on-hand without going to waste. However, we realize that the very process of packaging and shipping goods is bound to have an impact on the environment. We are also striving to reduce the impact of the packaging needed to get them there. And while these goals are often at odds, we are constantly working to decrease waste and minimize the carbon footprint of our packaging. Here are two examples of our efforts.

Vac-Pack Technology

With vacuum pack canning technology, our vegetables are steamed in the can, locking in freshness for a remarkably crisp texture. This process also makes it possible to deliver the same amount of vegetables in a can that is 30 percent smaller. This means we use less water, less metal and less fuel to get our vegetables to your local store’s shelf. You can help make our vegetables even more sustainable by recycling your cans.

Recycled Packaging Material

With our recent packaging changes, you can help save trees as you eat your peas. Previously, Green Giant frozen vegetable cartons were constructed from bleached white paper board with no recycled fibers. Now we are proud that our current cartons are made from unbleached, 100 percent recycled paper, saving 54,000 trees a year in the process.

Life Cycle Analysis Continuing the Journey of Sustainability

A Sustainable Future Starts Today

The journey to a sustainable future requires hard work, innovation and an on-going dedication to doing the right thing. While we have taken a number of positive steps, we are always striving to do better. Here are two current initiatives that will lead Green Giant to be an even more sustainable company.

Life Cycle Analysis

To truly understand the impact our products have on the environment, we are conducting a study with the University of Arkansas. Known as a life cycle analysis, this study carefully tracks the total impact of growing sweet corn and its journey from the farmer’s field to your dinner table. This holistic approach will provide valuable insights and show us ways to improve our processes.

Freshwater Conservation

Through our partnership with The Nature Conservancy, we are launching an initiative to educate growers in Minnesota’s Root River Valley on more sustainable farming practices. The techniques will allow farmers to filter runoff before it makes its way into local streams and rivers. In addition to keeping the water cleaner, the farming practices - which include ponds and buffers - create habitats for migratory birds and regional wildlife, such as frogs and ducks.