Denver, CO—Ardent Millsannounced its new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, which expands on the company’s sustainability initiatives, and its Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) CSR Report, which lays the groundwork for sustainable development goals. The company used the Sustainable Development Goals put forth by the United Nations to identify three pillars where the company can make the most impact: nutrition, people and sustainability.

A press release from Ardent Mills outlines key points:

Nutrition: Ardent Mills said the company is committed to improving access to nutritious grain-based solutions to communities locally, nationally and globally, whether it is raising awareness around food insecurity or donating to local food banks across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. 

People: To support the future of the industry, Ardent Mills is focused on leveraging its network to provide tools, resources and engagement opportunities to people and communities in agri-business.  

Sustainability: By focusing on Agriculture, Transportation and Logistics, Procurement, and Operations, the company is reducing inefficiency, supporting customer goals, improving sustainability and positively impacting the communities where they operate, according to the release. Ardent Mills also announced the company’s first public renewable energy goal: By 2025, 50% of Ardent Mills’ U.S. electricity usage will be powered by renewable sources. 

“I’m proud of the great progress we’ve made growing our social and sustainability efforts,” said Phoenix Dugger, who in October 2019 was named CSR Manager, a new role created by Ardent Mills. “This newly developed program reflects our holistic commitment to bring positive change to the ingredient industry, while meeting the needs of our customers, consumers, communities and environment in everything we do.” 
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Dan Dye, CEO of Ardent Mills, added: “As a global leader in the food ingredient industry, we undoubtedly have an important role to play in the food system and supply chain. We strive to use our global network for good, and we are deeply committed to nourish what’s next by driving positive change in nutrition and sustainability, and supporting those that make our food system possible.”  

Read the full CSR Report, with more details on Ardent Mills' initiatives, here.