US Foods Holding Corp. (NYSE: USFD), one of the leading foodservice distributors in the United States, has officially released its 2024 Sustainability Report, underscoring its continued commitment to sustainable growth, responsible business practices, and long-term value creation for stakeholders. This comprehensive report outlines the strides US Foods made over the past year across its core sustainability pillars: Products, People, and Planet.
“Being a responsible company is an integral part of our strategy and plays a central role in how we grow our business, strengthen customer relationships, maximize associate engagement and inclusion, and contribute to a better planet,” said Martha Ha, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Sustainability Lead at US Foods. “I am proud of the work we accomplished in 2024 to further align our approach to sustainability with the Company’s strategy and operating model and our continued focus on addressing pressing challenges in order to continue to deliver business value.”
The 2024 report details the company’s efforts to integrate sustainability into its operational framework while meeting the evolving expectations of customers, employees, suppliers, and communities. Using established reporting frameworks such as the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board’s (SASB) standards for Food Retailers & Distributors, US Foods continues to increase transparency and accountability in its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.
Advancing Sustainable Products and Ethical Sourcing
US Foods continues to lead the foodservice industry in offering customers sustainable, ethically sourced, and wellness-focused products. As part of its ongoing efforts to build a more responsible and resilient supply chain, the company has expanded its portfolio of sustainable offerings and strengthened sourcing standards.
In 2024, US Foods maintained the momentum of its differentiated product lines, now offering over 5,000 local, sustainable, or wellness-focused items. These include products that meet key standards for responsible sourcing, as well as plant-forward and gluten-free options.
A major milestone for the year was the achievement of $1 billion in annual revenue from Serve Good® and Progress Check® product lines. These products are developed in collaboration with suppliers who align with US Foods’ sustainability criteria or are Exclusive Brands seafood offerings progressing toward full compliance with the company’s sustainability standards.
The company also took significant steps to enhance its responsible seafood sourcing practices. An updated US Foods Seafood Policy now includes broader commitments and the establishment of new targets to increase the volume of responsibly sourced seafood. This policy is central to supporting sustainable fishing practices and preserving marine biodiversity.
Further, the Exclusive Brands Serve You™ product line expanded to include a total of 4,100 products. These items are distinguished by simplified ingredient lists that exclude components on the US Foods Unpronounceables List®—a company initiative aimed at improving ingredient transparency. Many of these products also feature plant-forward attributes or have been certified gluten-free, providing foodservice operators with more inclusive and health-conscious choices.
Supporting People and Communities
US Foods places a high value on fostering a workplace culture that is inclusive, safe, and growth-oriented. In 2024, the company took numerous steps to strengthen employee engagement, improve workplace safety, and give back to the communities in which it operates.
Safety remained a top priority, and the company reported a 19% reduction in injury and accident rates compared to 2023. This improvement reflects targeted efforts to enhance safety training and protocols throughout its operations.
US Foods also demonstrated its commitment to community support by donating more than $14.5 million in products, volunteer time, and financial contributions to nonprofit partners and food banks. These contributions helped address food insecurity and other critical needs across various regions.
Employee development remained a key area of focus, with nearly 70,000 unique professional development opportunities provided to associates. These opportunities ranged from leadership training and skills development to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Associates collectively completed over one million hours of training, highlighting US Foods’ investment in a high-performing and well-prepared workforce.
In a strategic move to deepen the connection between employee networks and business outcomes, the company transitioned its Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) into Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRGs). This change underscores the role these groups play not only in fostering inclusion and a sense of belonging but also in driving business innovation and supporting career development.
Reducing Environmental Impact and Promoting Climate Action
Under its Planet focus area, US Foods continued to make progress in reducing its environmental footprint and addressing climate-related risks. The company reaffirmed its long-term commitment to sustainability by implementing strategies aimed at minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, and reducing deforestation risks in its supply chain.
Since 2019, the company has reduced its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 16%, advancing toward its science-based target of a 32.5% reduction by 2032. This progress was made possible by improvements across the fleet and facilities, including the adoption of more sustainable transportation technologies.
In a move that places US Foods at the forefront of innovation within the foodservice and logistics sectors, the company implemented three fully refrigerated straight trucks equipped with electric transport refrigeration units. These vehicles are among the first of their kind, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional diesel-powered refrigeration trucks.
In addition to this innovation, US Foods added 47 electric vehicles (EVs) to its national fleet and installed 65 fast-charging stations across eight of its facilities. These initiatives support the company’s strategy to transition toward a low-emissions transportation system and reduce its overall carbon footprint.
Efforts to safeguard natural resources extended into the company’s sourcing practices. US Foods continued its work to mitigate deforestation and land conversion risks in its supply chain, particularly for high-impact commodities like palm oil. In 2024, the company successfully mapped 96% of the palm oil used in its Exclusive Brands products to the mill level, allowing for greater transparency and improved risk management.
