Where can we effect the most change?
On the farm
Integrated Pest Management
The Sysco Integrated Pest Management Program protects
environmentally sensitive growing areas, soils and water by
strictly controlling the use of herbicides to eliminate pests.
When put into practice, this program enforces the strict use
of only environmentally friendly pesticides-and only when
deemed absolutely necessary. Sysco's Integrated Pest Management
Program currently encompasses 78 Sysco Brand suppliers of
canned and frozen fruit and vegetables, representing 168 food
factories and close to 600,000 acres under cultivation. This has
promoted the recycling and reuse of nearly 185 million pounds
of organic matter, eliminating the need for 2.2 million pounds of
fertilizer that would have been used in its place.
Sustainable Food Laboratory
Sysco actively participates in the Sustainable Food Laboratory,
an international initiative made up of more than 90 members
from the public and private sectors, academia, and the scientific
community. While the academic side supports going green
because "it's the right thing to do," the Sustainable Food
Laboratory Business Coalition has a vision of a sustainable food
and agricultural system that enhances soil fertility and water
quality, cleans the air, and protects biodiversity while ensuring
that the food we eat is not only safe and healthy, but also
affordable. In this pragmatic formulation, sustaining natural
resources can goes hand-in-hand with sustaining business
growth. The Sysco Integrated Pest Management Program
exemplifies our efforts with the Sustainable Food Laboratory.
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