Keeping Good Things Going

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is the essence of sustainability. Highly publicized and headlined, the s-word has become widespread in our culture, and even though some consumers do not understand it clearly, they understand that it is important. Consumers have heard about E. coli-tainted spinach, food recalls, bird flu, global warming, and other threats to our economic, social, and environmental well-being. Their notion of sustainability has morphed to encompass these issues. As a result, terms such as GMO, organic, all natural, carbon offsets, fair trade, and pesticide free are all a part of the sustainability effort. Press coverage and food industry responses to these issues have put consumers on alert for any signs that manufacturers are doing what they can to keep a good thing going.

All Natural Chicken Americans consume hundreds of millions of pounds of chicken, beef, and pork each week, and Tyson Foods, Inc. is responsible for the production of one-fourth of that supply. The company has been engaged in sustainable agriculture for decades. In fact, sustainability was the platform the company's founder, John W. Tyson, used to establish his business. In 1935, he outfitted an old truck with food and water so he could haul live chickens to markets beyond his own backyard. When the business grew beyond his ability to supply birds, he established hatcheries and a network of farmer-growers who shared his vision of sustaining a steady supply of quality chicken. Similar systems assure that America's supply of beef and pork continues safely and uninterrupted too. Admittedly, the production of such large quantities of food can result in economic, social, and environmental challenges. Tyson Foods faces these challenges head-on. Here are a few of its positive steps.

Hunger relief is the primary philanthropic focus of Tyson Foods. The company made a formal commitment to the fight against hunger in 2000 when it established a national partnership with the hunger relief organization Share Our Strength®. In May of 2006, commitment to this issue was reinforced by entering a second partnership with America's Second Harvest-the Nation's Food Bank Network. In January 2008, the company expects to surpass the 50 million pound milestone of food donated to hunger and disaster relief since its initial commitment to Share Our Strength.
Tyson Foods offers its Team Members one of the best benefits packages in the nation. The compensation package is competitive and affords Team Members the opportunity to acquire a stake in the future of the company. Healthcare benefits focus on all aspects of lifestyle changes, good health, disease prevention, and education. These programs not only ensure that Team Members are properly compensated for their workplace contributions, but also support the broad-ranged health and well-being needs of Team Members.
Tyson Foods is committed to the well-being, proper handling, and humane slaughter of all the animals that make its food products, and the company pledges diligence in leading the industry pursuit of new and better ways to enhance animal well-being. All Team Members who work with live animals receive training and semiannual recertification. Additionally, many of its large customers conduct independent audits to assure that animals are treated with the utmost respect and humanity.
Tyson Foods strives to produce the high-quality food products its consumers and customers deserve, while recognizing its responsibility to be environmental stewards in the communities in which its Team Members work, live, and play. Here are a few examples of the company's environmental stewardship efforts.

The company is in the process of establishing Environmental, Health, and Safety Management Systems (EHSMS) at all of its operating facilities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada by the end of December 2008. It is believed that establishing this system is fundamental to managing key aspects of EHS performance.
Tyson Foods understands the importance of water quality. The company operates 35 full-treatment and 29 pretreatment wastewater facilities and spent in excess of $169 million in wastewater treatment operational costs during fiscal years 2006 and 2007. Furthermore, the company's long-term goal is to eliminate notices of violations (NOV) and permit exceedances.
Tyson Foods uses approximately 28 billion gallons of water each year to produce its food products. The company employs programs and technologies such as best management practices, Team Member education, and water reclamation systems to conserve and reuse water. These efforts have led to a water usage reduction of 15% per pound of finished product since October 2004.
In November 2004, Tyson Foods became a partner in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Leaders program, a voluntary partnership challenging businesses to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As a Climate Leader, the company has completed its corporatewide GHG inventory in accordance with the Climate Leaders Greenhouse Gas Inventory Protocol. This baseline inventory will be used to determine where potential GHG reductions can be taken, which the company plans to announce in 2008.
In April 2007, Tyson Foods and ConocoPhillips announced an alliance to produce and market the next generation of renewable diesel fuel, which will help supplement the traditional petroleum-based diesel fuel supply. The alliance will use beef, pork, and poultry by-product fat to create high-quality diesel fuel. In addition to lower life-cycle carbon emissions, this fuel will increase energy security by using a domestic and renewable energy source and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The company took another strategic step in its quest to be a leader in renewable energy in June 2007. Tyson Foods and Syntroleum Corporation, a Tulsa, Oklahoma-based synthetic fuels technology company, announced the formation of Dynamic Fuels LLC, which will produce synthetic fuel for the renewable diesel, jet, and military fuel markets.
In 2004, Tyson Foods became a partner in the EPA SmartWay® Transport Partnership, a voluntary environmental and energy conservation program for companies that ship and haul freight. In 2006, the company expanded its involvement in this program and gained national status and recognition from the EPA as an authorized Shipper/Carrier Partner. SmartWay Partners are committed to reducing GHG emissions, air pollution, and fuel usage in transportation fleets.

Tyson Foods has been providing consumers with safe, quality foods they can trust for more than 70 years. As an industry leader, the company has a long-standing commitment to food safety. Steps are taken at every level to make sure each product produced meets the company's rigorous safety and quality criteria. This commitment to feeding families, the nation, and the world with trusted food products helps ensure each product leaving a Tyson Foods plant meets or exceeds customers' expectations.

Visit www.tysonfoodservice.com/abouttyson to learn more about the company's efforts in supporting environmental stewardship, social progress, and economic growth.

How can you contribute to a sustainable future?

Consider using recycled paper or corn-based plastics to reduce the carbon footprint of your packaging
Purchase from manufacturers, such as Tyson Foods, that have clear and aggressive sustainability goals
Menu sustainable food items such as all natural, locally grown, organic, or raised without antibiotics
Endorse socially responsible programs in your workplace, home, and community
Give your patrons and staff easy ways to "participate" in your sustainability efforts

If you are already doing these things, don't hesitate to let people know that you are.