IPPE launches: IFEEDER introduces new sustainability toolkit for US feed industry
The toolkit provides feed grain and oilseed processors, animal feed and pet food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers and equipment manufacturers resources to use while developing and advancing their internal sustainability programs; it is based on industry and stakeholder surveys and interviews as well as input from an advisory committee.
The materials are organized via nine steps companies can pursue, based on their current levels of sustainability engagement.
The toolkit includes guidance on various topics such as how an organization might conduct a materiality assessment. There is also a scientific literature review of what the global feed industry has done to date to support broader environmental goals as well as insights into how to build a sustainability business case, and message mapping to help members communicate their stories to their key audiences.
Measureable improvements
As part of the Sustainability Road Map project, IFEEDER defined ‘sustainability’ for the US feed industry as “defined and managed by each individual organization to deliver measurable, continuous improvements on the impacts related to people, planet and governance that are most important to them and their stakeholders.”
The organization said the definition provides guidance for industry and flexibility to meet the definition needs for themselves and their customers.
“Animal food industry members have indicated they are ready and willing to support broader sustainability goals within the food and agriculture community, but their ability to make measurable progress on areas important to their customers and suppliers is at times hindered by not knowing where to start,” said Lara Moody, IFEEDER executive director. “Now, we have provided an ‘on ramp’ for them to help achieve leadership buy-in and employee engagement so that sustainability becomes part of their corporate cultures and shapes future business decisions.”
Moody said that as companies’ sustainability efforts evolve so will the tools: “However, with the launch of this industrywide suite of materials, we now have a solid starting point.”
Founded by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) in 2009, IFEEDER supports critical education and research initiatives.
