Nestlé in the U.S. Releases 2015 Creating Shared Value Report

In 2015, Nestlé achieved 11 previously identified commitments and added 16 new goals across five commitment categories for the U.S. market: Nutrition, Health and Wellness; Water; Environment; Rural Development and Responsible Sourcing; and Social Impact. 

Our 2015 report highlights the investments we've made to positively impact the lives of millions of people through products and services, employment and economies. Just to name a few, in 2015 Nestlé achieved zero waste to landfill status in 35 factories in the U.S., comprising 40% of our 2020 target, and continued to lead the industry in nutrition research with our key data collected from our Feeding Infants and Toddlers and Kids Nutrition and Health studies. 

These and other achievements are outlined in the 2015 Creating Shared Value Report - the third iteration of our comprehensive report to encompass the progress and commitments across our eight U.S. operating companies: Nespresso, Nestlé Health Science, Nestlé Nutrition, Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, Nestlé Skin Health, Nestlé USA and Nestlé Waters North America. 

"Since Nestlé's beginnings more than 150 years ago, Creating Shared Value has been at the heart of how we do business and approach the future," said Chairman and CEO Nestlé USA Paul Grimwood. "Our firm belief is that for a company to prosper over the long term and create value for shareholders, it must create value for society. We embed that philosophy in everything we do." 

Highlights from the 2015 report include:

• Responsible sourcing: In 2015, Nestlé completed 522 supplier audits in the United States, 115% of the company's target. This resulted in a three-year total of 1,419 completed audits, of which 1,275 (89%) were compliant to the Nestlé Responsible Sourcing Program.

• Cage-free eggs: In 2015, Nestlé continued its efforts toward improving farm animal welfare and pledged to use exclusively cage-free eggs in the United States in food and beverage portfolio by 2020, establishing an accelerated timeline compared to many industry peers.

• Supporting our economy: In 2015, Nestlé paid more than $1.9 billion to 7,214 small, minority, women and veteran-owned businesses and helped sustain jobs across the country.

• Reducing water usage: By creating efficiencies and reducing waste, Nestlé factories will employ new techniques projected to save 144 million gallons of water annually.

Completed objectives from the 2015 report include:

• Children's nutrition research: In 2015, Nestlé fielded its Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS) and Kids Nutrition and Health Study (KHNS) to collect key insights and develop deeper understanding on children's (ages 0-12) dietary intake and lifestyle habits in the United States.

• Encouraging healthy eating for infants and toddlers: Through the Start Healthy, Stay HealthyT Early Childhood Nutrition program, in 2015 Nestlé continued its work in obesity prevention and trained a combined 257 caregivers and students. This was done in partnership with Rutgers University-Newark, Program for Parents Inc., the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Health Professions and Woodlawn Foundation.

• Responsible resourcing in our supply chain: In 2015, Nestlé completed 1,350 responsible sourcing audits in North America, with 945 of all audits compliant to the Responsible Sourcing Program.

• Rolling out our Cocoa Plan: In 2015, Nestlé expanded sourcing through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan in the United States to supply UTZ-certified, sustainable cocoa equal to the amount needed to produce 100% of the 2015 Easter confections line of chocolates and 100% of NESQUIK® Ready-to-Drink.

• Improving our green supply chain: In 2015, Nestlé achieved its goal to source 100% 4C-verified coffee1 beans for NESCAFÉ® products produced and sold in the United States.

New 2016 objectives from the report include:

• Nutrition education: By 2016, Nestlé will reach 10,000 thought leaders with Balance Your Plate tools and resources through outreach and education. Nestlé in the U.S. will also directly engage with 45 thought leaders (including registered dieticians and fitness professionals) and provide consumer-facing materials to increase the program's impact.

• Assessing and addressing human rights impacts in its supply chain: By 2016, Nestlé will continue to participate in multi-stakeholder efforts to identify further solutions and implement collaborative actions to address the issue of forced labor in Thailand's seafood supply chain.

• Increasing efficiency in water usage: By 2017, Nestlé will identify priority suppliers in our dairy supply chain and engage in discussions about increasing the efficiency of water use in dairy production.

• Hiring more veterans: By 2017, the Company plans to establish Nestlé as an Employer of Choice for veterans.

Visit http://www.nestleusa.com/CSV to learn more about our journey including progress and new commitments.