Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: CALM), the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States, has officially released its Fiscal 2024 Sustainability Report. This comprehensive report outlines the company’s latest advancements in key sustainability initiatives and provides updated disclosures based on globally recognized sustainability frameworks, including selected United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) metrics.
Now in its sixth consecutive year, the annual sustainability report reflects Cal-Maine Foods’ enduring commitment to transparency, ethical operations, and long-term environmental and social responsibility. The publication offers stakeholders a clear view into the company’s performance across a broad range of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) priorities that are critical to the food production and agriculture industries.
CEO Reaffirms Commitment to a Culture of Sustainability
In a message included in the report, Sherman Miller, president and chief executive officer of Cal-Maine Foods, emphasized the company’s deep-rooted dedication to sustainability, saying:
“We are proud of our sustainability achievements over the past year, as highlighted in our Fiscal 2024 Sustainability Report. This report marks the sixth consecutive year we have shared our progress with stakeholders, reaffirming our commitment to continually improve our practices and performance. Since our founding in 1957, Cal-Maine Foods has experienced substantial growth in both our operations and market presence. However, that growth has never come at the expense of our values. We remain guided by a strong sense of ethics, a focus on responsible growth, and an unwavering dedication to environmental stewardship.”
Miller continued, “Our sustainability efforts mirror the core values that define our culture and governance. These same values influence our relationships with our customers, employees, suppliers, and the communities in which we operate. They also shape the way we treat the environment and the hens entrusted to our care. Our mission is clear—to be the most sustainable producer and the most dependable supplier of consistent, high-quality fresh eggs, egg products, and prepared foods in the United States. We aim to live out our ‘Culture of Sustainability’ in every aspect of our business.”
Integrating Global Sustainability Standards
In line with its effort to meet the expectations of a broad set of stakeholders—including consumers, investors, regulators, and business partners—Cal-Maine Foods has continued aligning its sustainability reporting with internationally recognized standards. The Fiscal 2024 report utilizes select elements of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on those that most directly correspond to the company’s operations, such as:
- Goal 2: Zero Hunger
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 15: Life on Land
In addition, the company incorporates metrics and disclosures from the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), enabling improved comparability and accountability across key performance indicators in the food and agriculture sector.
Environmental Stewardship and Climate Initiatives
Among the notable highlights of the 2024 report are the company’s ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental footprint. Cal-Maine Foods continues to invest in energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction across its operations. These measures include upgrading lighting systems, optimizing feed formulations to reduce nutrient runoff, and enhancing water recycling processes at multiple facilities.
The company is also exploring renewable energy sources, including solar power, as a way to decarbonize its operations. Several of Cal-Maine’s facilities have conducted feasibility studies for solar panel installations, and pilot programs are underway to evaluate their long-term viability and return on investment.
In terms of emissions tracking, Cal-Maine Foods continues to refine its data collection methods to better understand Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions. The company’s long-term goal is to develop a science-based target for carbon reduction in alignment with the Paris Agreement.
Animal Welfare and Food Safety
As a leading egg producer, Cal-Maine Foods places high importance on animal welfare. The company remains committed to industry best practices for humane animal care, maintaining stringent protocols based on the United Egg Producers (UEP) Animal Husbandry Guidelines. These protocols cover housing conditions, nutrition, health monitoring, and handling practices.
The report also details Cal-Maine’s efforts to transition to cage-free production systems in response to shifting consumer preferences and regulatory requirements. As of Fiscal 2024, a growing percentage of the company’s flock is now housed in cage-free environments, and Cal-Maine continues to expand its capacity to meet demand from foodservice and retail partners.
Food safety remains another core pillar of the company’s ESG efforts. Cal-Maine employs comprehensive quality assurance programs across all of its production and processing facilities, ensuring adherence to FDA, USDA, and third-party standards. Routine testing, rigorous sanitation protocols, and employee training programs all support the company’s goal of providing safe, high-quality food to consumers nationwide.
Community Engagement and Employee Well-being
Cal-Maine Foods continues to deepen its engagement with local communities, especially in rural areas where its farms and processing centers are located. The company supports a range of charitable initiatives, including food donations to local food banks, disaster relief efforts, and education partnerships.
Internally, Cal-Maine prioritizes employee well-being, offering competitive wages, benefits, and training opportunities. In 2024, the company expanded several of its employee development programs, focusing on safety education, leadership training, and upskilling initiatives. These programs not only enhance the capabilities of Cal-Maine’s workforce but also foster a workplace culture that values inclusion, integrity, and continuous learning.
