Del Monte canned green beans line is Upcycled Certified

Del Monte Foods, Inc. is helping to lead the upcycled food movement with the industry's first canned vegetable product to be Upcycled Certified by the Upcycled Food Association, the world's only third-party certification programme for upcycled food ingredients and products. Del Monte® Blue Lake® Petite Cut and Blue Lake® Farmhouse Cut Green Beans are made with 100% upcycled and sustainably grown green beans from Wisconsin and Illinois.

"As growers of good, Del Monte Foods is committed to producing healthy food that nourishes people and our planet," said Greg Longstreet, President and CEO of Del Monte Foods. "Having our green beans as the industry's first canned vegetable product to be Upcycled Certified is a reflection of our team's dedication to always ensuring that nutritious food reaches its highest and best purpose, while protecting our planet for future generations." 

According to the USDA, food waste is estimated to represent 30-40% of the food supply each year, which has devastating consequences for people and the planet. Millions of people globally don't get enough food to eat each day, while rotting food in landfills is a major producer of greenhouse gas emissions. It's estimated that if 50–75% of food waste is reduced by 2050, up to 26 gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions could be avoided.

Through its Upcycled Certified Green Bean products, Del Monte re-directed approximately 600,000 pounds of surplus green beans last year, helping to provide healthy and affordable food, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Del Monte will continue to identify opportunities to expand its upcycling efforts across its portfolio of brands.

"Some of our most exciting Upcycled Certified products are from Del Monte Foods --  because they are so recognisable by the average consumer," said Turner Wyatt, CEO and Co-founder of the Upcycled Food Association. "When people hear the term 'upcycled,' they often think the product is going to be something they have never tried before. Nope. These are the green beans we have been eating our whole lives. The only difference is that by choosing the Upcycled Certified ones, consumers are actively preventing food waste."

As a part of Del Monte's mission to nourish families with earth's goodness, the company has been partnering with Feeding America since 2010 to package upcycled green beans, peaches and pears. As a result, approximately 350,000 cases of nutritious food per year are delivered to communities in need.

"We're thrilled to support the upcycled food movement. By reincorporating nutritious ingredients into our products, we can create delicious food that is beneficial to people and the earth," said Molly Laverty, Senior Manager of Environmental & Social Governance of Del Monte Foods. "Preventing food waste is one of the most important ways we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and continue to grow good for our communities, the planet and all those who depend on us for healthy, nourishing foods."

To learn more about Del Monte Foods' sustainability efforts and to read its 2021 sustainability report, visit https://www.delmontefoods.com/sustainability.