SALISBURY, Md. – Perdue Farms released its Fiscal Year 2019 stewardship report on June 20. Company officials highlighted accomplishments in the categories of animal care, environmental stewardship, new food products, diversity and inclusion, hunger relief and associate education.

 “As we enter our second century in 2020, we strive to align our practices with the values of our stakeholders and, in doing so, act with responsibility,” Chairman Jim Perdue said in a statement. That’s the foundation of our corporate stewardship platform: We believe in responsible food and agriculture.” 

The company said it was making progress toward its 2022 environmental sustainability goals. Perdue said it reduced greenhouse gas intensity by 4.8 percent, reduced water use intensity by 6.9 percent and decreased solid waste sent to landfills by 74.5 percent. The 2022 goals are 30 percent, 25 percent and 90 percent for each category.

Perdue's animal care developments continued with the company receive a “Tier Two” ranking – the second highest – in the global 2018 Business Benchmark on farm animal welfare for the second consecutive year. Perdue also engaged with animal welfare advocacy groups, animal care researchers, customers and farmers at its third annual Animal Care Summit.

The company also hosted the first Diversity and Inclusion Forum for employees and provided a companywide accredited high school diploma program at no cost to associates.

In addition, Perdue donated 6.8 million lbs. of food to support hunger relief in the US.

Finally, in the new food product division, the company introduced the Perdue Simply Smart Organic chicken line. Perdue subsidiaries released new products in the last year including the four new sausages from Niman Ranch and Coleman Natural Foods partnering with Budweiser Beer on five pork products. 

The full report is available at www.responsiblefoodandagriculture.com.