1 Clif Bar & Company: A Transformative Approach To Improving Food System Sustainability Elysa...

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Clif Bar & Company: A Transformative Approach To Improving Food System

Sustainability

Elysa HammondDirector of Environmental Stewardship

September 16, 2010

2004 Planning - Clif Tactics - Sales Team Presentation.ppt 2

A natural food company since 1992

Organic since 2003

•Organic ingredients in all products

•6 of 7 brands are certified organic

•40 million lbs organic/year (70%)

Family and employee-ownedEmeryville, California

250 employees

>$200 million in sales/year


Conversation matters. Organic was the catalyst.

1978 Conversations start about sustainable food and organic farming

1992 Gary Erickson starts CLIF BAR

2000 CLIF BAR stays private

2001 Sustainability program begins*

2003 First certified organic product

*Clif Bar didn’t start out as green company. If we can do this, anyone can.

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Systems thinking: Energy Matters

U.S. Food System Energy Use

•20% on farm energy use •40% packaging and processing•40% transport , storage, preparation

17% of energy use in U.S. economy is related to the food system

Carbon is a leading sustainability metric in our program

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You can’t see what you can’t imagine

Our products will be:

Made with sustainable, organic ingredients;

Baked with clean, renewable energy;

Packaged in environmentally friendly packaging;

Delivered by transportation that doesn't pollute.

Our company will:

Help create a more healthy, just and sustainable food system;

Support a vibrant, healthy, green workplace;

Generate profits that help people and the planet;

Learn from and share with others

Our environmental sustainability vision


Our Sustainability Model: Five Aspirations

Our Five Aspirations reflect the report’s 4 sustainability goals

This sustainability model has transformed the company. We are making progress toward all goals.

Economic growth, brand integrity, creating new green jobs, driving demand for organic farming and giving back to communities.


Examples of progress in brand, people and community aspirations

BrandPure Prevention Campaign with the Breast Cancer FundLunaFest women’s film festivalSponsorship of events, athletes, eco-programs

People Nationally acclaimed workplaceCool Commute & Cool Home, on-site gym & classes, childcare, ESOP, dogs in the office

CommunityClif Bar Family Foundation –$2MM /yearCommunity service on company time

Planet New LEED certified office, solar roof with organic restaurant;climate neutral with offsets; biodiesel fleet; recycled packaging


Environmental Stewardship- 4 areas of focus

Organic, sustainable food and farming

value-basedsupply chain;

traceability & farmer connections;Organic seed

Zero Waste recycled/recyclable packaging

Climate action reduced carbon footprint efficient shipping renewable energy

Conserve and restore natural resources

In including biodiversity


Organic farming generates multiple

benefits: healthier food, cleaner water, safer

farming, carbon storage

Organic farming helps deliver on all of our environmental goals

Supporting organic, regenerativeagriculture is the cornerstone of oursustainability efforts

2002 - 2 million lbs organic2010 - 40 million lbs (70%)


Keeping up the momentum

We’re increasing support of organic farming by

• steadily increasing purchases; • procurement goals and guidelines;•nonprofit partnerships, in-house education and connecting with growers, and support for the Seed Matters initiative

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What’s working? What’s driving transformation?

1. Consumer-driven demand for organic and natural products*. ( The USDA organic standards are working..)

“Our company has experienced explosive growth over the past few years, significantly outpacing both the food industry and the categories in which we compete…. The vast majority of our retailers are looking for healthier alternatives to display across their stores. This is a direct response to consumers demand. “ Rick Collins, VP of Sales, CLIF

2. Business interest in Sustainability is further driving demand for sustainable products.

3. Partnerships and educational efforts that inform, inspire and facilitate progress.

*New report on the 50 Fastest Growing Grocery Chains in the U.S. – 3 of top 10 are organic/ natural. Others attribute growth to demand for organic and natural.


What are the barriers?


Food companies form the bridge

Food businesses connect farmers with consumers, and people’s health with the planet’s health.

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Transformational food businesses (there are many) can help drive significant progress toward sustainable agricultural systems in the 21st century.

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