Climate Counts Recognizes Annie's, Inc. for Commitment to Sustainability and Climate Leadership
Reduced Emissions and Energy Consumption Result in Net Cost Savings for Company
(3BL Media) Durham, NH – September 11, 2012 – Annie’s, Inc. (NYSE: BNNY), a leading provider of natural and organic alternatives to traditional comfort foods, has been recognized as a “Striding Climate Leader” by consumer advocacy group Climate Counts for its commitment to monitoring and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Annie’s achievement as a Striding Climate Leader signals that the company is committed to mitigating material costs and risk associated with climate change.
“For Annie’s, sustainability isn’t just a passing trend – it’s core to who we are,” said John Foraker, Annie’s CEO. “We’re proud of this achievement and recognition from Climate Counts. It reinforces Annie’s commitment to being socially and environmentally responsible, and demonstrates that we can maintain profitability while also reducing our environmental footprint.”
“When consumers see respected brands like Annie’s taking voluntary ownership of their emissions and energy consumption, it resonates with them,” said Climate Counts Director Mike Bellamente. “We’re seeing a shift in how the private sector is moving beyond the politics surrounding climate change toward a path that is more sustainable in the long term, both for their business and the environment. It’s encouraging to see this type of leadership.”
Annie’s, well known for its organic macaroni and cheese and snacks, now makes more than 125 organic and natural food products sold in more than 25,000 retail locations in the United States and Canada.
“We’re proud to be considered a Striding Climate Leader by Climate Counts,” said Shauna Sadowski, Annie’s Director of Sustainability. “We continually strive to improve our accountability and transparency around GHG emissions, as well as our overall commitment to energy efficiency. Annie’s ultimate goal is to produce the best-tasting, highest quality products while contributing to a more resilient and regenerative food system.”
Annie’s participates in the Climate Counts company rating process through the organization’s Industry Innovator (i2) program, a voluntary initiative designed to help companies identify gaps in their sustainability approach and encourage company-wide emissions reductions. Since Annie’s initial assessment in 2011, the company has increased its performance dramatically by embracing measures including: adopting standardized GHG accounting and reporting practices; engaging employees in achieving emissions targets; recognition for efficiencies with a LEED Gold headquarters; and working with upstream suppliers to identify GHG hotspots.
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About Climate Counts
Climate Counts is a non-profit organization based in the Sustainability Institute at the University of New Hampshire. Climate Counts brings students, consumers and companies together in addressing global climate change. Launched with financial support from organics pioneer Stonyfield Farm, the Climate Counts Company Scorecard was developed with oversight from a panel of business and climate experts from leading non-governmental organizations and academic institutions. Criteria are based on their effectiveness at accomplishing a single goal – proactively addressing climate change. Since 2007, Climate Counts researchers have used these criteria to rate the climate actions of nearly 150 companies (representing approximately 3,000 brands) in 16 industry sectors. Companies are given the opportunity to confirm or provide public data sources. Information on all scored companies is available at www.climatecounts.org and on Facebook and Twitter (@climatecounts). Climate Counts also has a free consumer iPhone App.
About Annie’s
Annie’s (NYSE: BNNY) is a natural and organic food company that offers great-tasting products in large packaged food categories. Annie’s products are made without the artificial flavors and synthetic colors and preservatives regularly used in many conventional packaged foods. Today, Annie’s offers over 125 products which are present in over 25,000 retail locations in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1989, Annie’s is committed to operating in a socially responsible and environmentally sustainable manner. For more information, visit www.annies.com.
