Several foodservice giants improved their ranking in Greenpeace’s annual “Sea of Distress” sustainability report, according to the organization.
Greenpeace ranked Sodexho first, Aramark second, and Compass Group third, because the foodservice providers “continue to lead the industry on sustainable seafood, transparency, and advocacy”, according to the report. The three companies were the only ones to receive passing scores.
Greenpeace praised Aramark’s public policy on transshipment at sea, “which has the potential to facilitate illegal activity, including labor and human rights abuses,” according to a statement from Greenpeace.
Sysco, US Foods, Performance Food Group, Centerplate, and Delaware North all received failing grades from Greenpeace. Among the lowest-ranked foodservice providers were Maines Paper & Food Service, Shamrock Foods, and Elior North America.
“It is a good sign that some key foodservice companies are moving in the right direction on sustainability for our oceans and the ethical treatment of workers,” Greenpeace Oceans Campaigner David Pinsky said. “Unfortunately, there are still large companies holding back progress. Massive distributors like Sysco and US Foods must work urgently to help protect ocean health and workers’ rights throughout the supply chain.”
As suppliers for many sectors, including restaurants, retail, education and healthcare, seafood distributors play a critical role in creating a sustainable supply chain, according to Greenpeace.
“Corporate and institutional clients should worry about potential risks to their brands and profits created by a lack of transparency and traceability, and the failure of broadline distributors to provide sustainable, ethical seafood,” Pinsky said.
In the report, Greenpeace praised the commitments Thai Union recently made to provide more sustainable seafood – making no mention of its previous campaign against the company.
“Foodservice companies should follow Thai Union’s lead on addressing problematic transshipment at sea, sourcing more sustainably caught tuna, and taking steps to protect workers’ rights,” Greenpeace said,
