Key Takeaways:
- Ardent Mills’ FY24 ESG report highlights achievements across four pillars: Communities, People, Planet, and Ingredients.
- The company introduced new plant-based products and advanced sustainable agriculture on over 598,000 acres.
- A new role, Vice President of ESG and Grower Relations, underscores Ardent Mills’ commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
- Community support efforts included donations, agricultural education, and food security initiatives in multiple regions.
Ardent Mills Highlights Progress in FY24 ESG Report Across Key Pillars
Ardent Mills, a leader in flour-milling and ingredient solutions, has published its fiscal year 2024 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, highlighting progress in its ESG initiatives under four main pillars: Communities, People, Planet, and Ingredients. This year’s report reflects Ardent Mills’ focus on sustainable practices, community support, and fostering an inclusive and innovative workplace environment.
The report also marks a new leadership role at Ardent Mills, with the appointment of Shrene White as Vice President of ESG and Grower Relations. This position aims to drive forward the company’s environmental and social efforts, particularly through strategic partnerships and industry innovation.
“Ardent Mills continues to be a trusted partner because of our steadfast commitment to advancing the industry,” said Shrene White. “This year’s report not only showcases our existing momentum but also reflects our forward-looking vision to responsibly manage the impact of our operations on the planet, reduce food insecurity, and cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive.”
Key ESG Achievements in FY24
1. Supporting Communities Through Agricultural Education and Food Security Initiatives
Ardent Mills reinforced its commitment to community impact, engaging with 120 nonprofit organizations and donating 28,900 pounds of product during its annual month of service. Through its “Growing a Better Future” program, the company provided agricultural education to over 966,000 students and contributed $33.8 million to food security and economic development efforts across 12 African countries. Employee involvement in skills-based volunteerism further supported these initiatives.
2. Promoting Employee Safety and Development
With a strong emphasis on employee well-being, Ardent Mills completed 32,715 hours of training in safety, food quality, and professional development. The implementation of the SCORE (Safety Cultivating Ownership, Respect and Empowerment) program contributed to a six-point rise in the company’s Net Promoter Score, reflecting enhanced employee engagement and workplace safety.
3. Advancing Sustainable Farming and Waste Reduction
In FY24, Ardent Mills enrolled over 598,000 acres in its regenerative agriculture program across 12 supply shed regions, supporting sustainable farming practices aimed at reducing environmental impact. Waste reduction efforts included a 57% participation rate in facility composting programs, aligned with the company’s waste management and sustainability goals.
4. Strengthening Diversity and Inclusion
Ardent Mills invested $19.75 million with diverse suppliers and welcomed its most diverse intern class to date, with 37% racial-ethnic diversity and 40% gender diversity. These efforts align with the company’s broader Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy, fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
5. Expanding Plant-Based Product Innovations
This year, Ardent Mills introduced new products such as Ancient Grains Plus, a blend designed for enhanced baking functionality, and Egg Replace, a response to the volatility in the egg market and the rising demand for cage-free products.
Sheryl Wallace, CEO of Ardent Mills, emphasized the company’s dedication to transformative change, stating, “The achievements outlined in this report reflect that level of dedication, and it fills me with both pride and humility. As we look forward to our next decade, we will continue to take bold strides towards meaningful impact for our employees, customers, and local communities.”
Ardent Mills Recent News
Appoints Sheryl Wallace as New CEO
Ardent Mills has appointed Sheryl Wallace as its new CEO, effective July 8. Wallace, who has been a board member since 2020, has nearly 30 years of experience in leadership roles within the food and agriculture industries. She has a background in business growth, strategy, commercial operations, trading, and risk management. Wallace’s dedication to Ardent Mills’ core values, trust, serving, simplicity, and safety, and her ability to cultivate a culture of empowerment and drive innovative growth make her an ideal candidate for the company. She has previously served as Cargill’s corporate vice president and global leader of the Risk Management Group.
Kate Kimball Joins as Legal & Compliance Head (2024/01/23)
Ardent Mills recently announced the addition of Kate Kimball as General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer. This move is a strategic step to strengthen the company’s legal and compliance framework for ongoing growth and innovation efforts. With over 15 years of experience, Kimball will oversee all legal and compliance matters and advise the Board of Managers. Her appointment aligns with the company’s core values and strategic direction, emphasizing sustainability, innovation, and positive change.
Grants $3.5M To Kansas State University Ag Innovation Initiative (2023/03/15)
Ardent Mills has donated $3.5 million to Kansas State University’s Ag Innovation Initiative to enhance the university’s grain science department and promote innovation in the flour-milling and ingredient industry until 2026. This contribution, fostering the development of future industry leaders, involves collaboration with K-State’s College of Agriculture to establish objectives and metrics for milling and baking science programs. The donation aligns with the company’s DEI mission to cultivate a more inclusive industry environment and support top talent and research to address critical food and agriculture challenges. Troy Anderson, Vice President of Operations, emphasizes the potential of this interdisciplinary partnership and new facilities to address current and future industry challenges.
Image provided by Ardent Mills
2 Comments