[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 67 (Monday, April 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E419-E420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF THE HANNAFORD SUPERMARKETS ACHIEVING ZERO WASTE IN THE YEAR 
                                  2020

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHRIS PAPPAS

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 19, 2021

  Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Hannaford 
Supermarkets in producing zero pounds of food waste in 2020. Hannaford 
Supermarkets has 183 stores located across New England and New York, 
making it the first large-scale supermarket to achieve this landmark in 
sustainability. Throughout 2020, Hannaford Supermarkets successfully 
diverted 65 million pounds of food waste out of landfills.
  Instrumental in Hannaford' s success in this endeavor is that each of 
its 183 stores has a team of hardworking individuals dedicated to 
rigidly following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Food 
Recovery Hierarchy. After reducing surplus at the source of production, 
the Food Recovery Hierarchy advises that to create a more sustainable 
food system, we donate surplus product to food insecure individuals, 
followed by donations to local farmers for animal feed.
  Food recovery and donation have long been staples of Hannaford 
operations. However, when donations are not feasible, Hannaford 
Supermarkets partners with Agri-Cycle to engage in the hierarchy's 
fourth tier, industrial repurposing. Based in Scarborough, Maine, Agri-
Cycle is a food waste recycling company that turns food into energy. 
Through this partnership, Hannaford has been able to fully realize 
their zero-food waste goal.
  Achieving zero waste is an accomplishment on its own, but I would 
like to highlight the added difficulty to this task caused by the 
coronavirus pandemic. As the coronavirus waged on with no clear end in 
sight, our agriculture and food system industries were disrupted to an 
unprecedented degree. While shoppers began to decrease their number of 
supermarket visits to limit their exposure to the disease, they 
simultaneously began spending more per trip. Hannaford Supermarkets 
were able to not only weather this supply and demand shock, but also to 
divert all unsold food away from landfills.
  New Hampshire's way of life is rooted in our natural surroundings and 
keeping our landfills as empty as possible is imperative to preserving 
the environment and our natural resources. Hannaford's pioneering 
curiosity has led to a landmark achievement in supermarket 
sustainability. Hannaford Supermarkets' continuing dedication to 
sustainability and service are immeasurable.

[[Page E420]]

  On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional 
District, I want to congratulate Hannaford Supermarkets on the success 
of its sustainability initiative. I look forward to the continuation of 
their sustainability initiative and am hopeful about the example this 
can set for supermarkets across the Nation. Once again, I thank 
Hannaford Supermarkets for all that it does to protect our environment 
while also aiding food insecurity.

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