Executive Message

   t Sysco, our focus on sustainability is driven by our longstanding commitment to doing what is right. With that solid grounding, the path ahead has been clearly visible. Moving forward has meant continuing to invest in sustainability even in tough times. We know the reward is there, whether it is stronger relationships with our customers and suppliers or an economic return on our energy savings or a healthier planet for all of us.

To keep the momentum going this year, we emphasized initiatives with a strong business case, including those where grants or rebates could reduce the capital needed to acquire new energy-efficient vehicles or equipment. You will see in this report the result of one such project – the opening of our new Houston distribution center that exclusively uses hydrogen-powered vehicles within the warehouse.

A lifecycle analysis we completed this year, using green beans as the focus, found that across the entire foodservice lifecycle, from seed germination to restaurant trash disposal, Sysco’s role – transportation and distribution – accounts for less than 10 percent of the entire energy impact. This does not lessen our commitment to continue to manage our own energy use, but it reminds us of the importance of our partnerships with our suppliers and customers to achieve the greatest change.

Fortunately, both our vendors and our customers have been willing to make the journey with us. From the farmers who have adopted our recommendations to reduce use of pesticides, fertilizer and water, to the restaurants that have chosen biodegradable plates and cutlery, our fellow travelers have made the path a greener one for all of us.

Our sustainability commitment extends beyond environmental issues to encompass other social concerns. For example, we are especially proud of our partnership with Share Our Strength, which fights to eliminate childhood hunger in the United States. Such relationships are a rewarding element of all our sustainability efforts. By working with groups such as the Sustainable Food Laboratory, Oxfam and the World Wildlife Fund, and with remarkable individuals such as animal welfare leader Temple Grandin and diversity management thought leader Dr. R. Roosevelt Thomas, Jr., we have expanded our own understanding and increased our ability to make a difference in the world around us.


Bill DeLaney
President and Chief Executive Officer
September 29, 2010