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Clif Bar & Company: A Transformative Approach To Improving Food System
Sustainability
Elysa HammondDirector of Environmental Stewardship
September 16, 2010
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A natural food company since 1992
Organic since 2003
•Organic ingredients in all products
•6 of 7 brands are certified organic
•40 million lbs organic/year (70%)
Family and employee-ownedEmeryville, California
250 employees
>$200 million in sales/year
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Conversation matters. Organic was the catalyst.
1978 Conversations start about sustainable food and organic farming
1992 Gary Erickson starts CLIF BAR
2000 CLIF BAR stays private
2001 Sustainability program begins*
2003 First certified organic product
*Clif Bar didn’t start out as green company. If we can do this, anyone can.
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Systems thinking: Energy Matters
U.S. Food System Energy Use
•20% on farm energy use •40% packaging and processing•40% transport , storage, preparation
17% of energy use in U.S. economy is related to the food system
Carbon is a leading sustainability metric in our program
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You can’t see what you can’t imagine
Our products will be:
Made with sustainable, organic ingredients;
Baked with clean, renewable energy;
Packaged in environmentally friendly packaging;
Delivered by transportation that doesn't pollute.
Our company will:
Help create a more healthy, just and sustainable food system;
Support a vibrant, healthy, green workplace;
Generate profits that help people and the planet;
Learn from and share with others
Our environmental sustainability vision
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Our Sustainability Model: Five Aspirations
Our Five Aspirations reflect the report’s 4 sustainability goals
This sustainability model has transformed the company. We are making progress toward all goals.
Economic growth, brand integrity, creating new green jobs, driving demand for organic farming and giving back to communities.
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Examples of progress in brand, people and community aspirations
BrandPure Prevention Campaign with the Breast Cancer FundLunaFest women’s film festivalSponsorship of events, athletes, eco-programs
People Nationally acclaimed workplaceCool Commute & Cool Home, on-site gym & classes, childcare, ESOP, dogs in the office
CommunityClif Bar Family Foundation –$2MM /yearCommunity service on company time
Planet New LEED certified office, solar roof with organic restaurant;climate neutral with offsets; biodiesel fleet; recycled packaging
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Environmental Stewardship- 4 areas of focus
Organic, sustainable food and farming
value-basedsupply chain;
traceability & farmer connections;Organic seed
Zero Waste recycled/recyclable packaging
Climate action reduced carbon footprint efficient shipping renewable energy
Conserve and restore natural resources
In including biodiversity
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Organic farming generates multiple
benefits: healthier food, cleaner water, safer
farming, carbon storage
Organic farming helps deliver on all of our environmental goals
Supporting organic, regenerativeagriculture is the cornerstone of oursustainability efforts
2002 - 2 million lbs organic2010 - 40 million lbs (70%)
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Keeping up the momentum
We’re increasing support of organic farming by
• steadily increasing purchases; • procurement goals and guidelines;•nonprofit partnerships, in-house education and connecting with growers, and support for the Seed Matters initiative
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What’s working? What’s driving transformation?
1. Consumer-driven demand for organic and natural products*. ( The USDA organic standards are working..)
“Our company has experienced explosive growth over the past few years, significantly outpacing both the food industry and the categories in which we compete…. The vast majority of our retailers are looking for healthier alternatives to display across their stores. This is a direct response to consumers demand. “ Rick Collins, VP of Sales, CLIF
2. Business interest in Sustainability is further driving demand for sustainable products.
3. Partnerships and educational efforts that inform, inspire and facilitate progress.
*New report on the 50 Fastest Growing Grocery Chains in the U.S. – 3 of top 10 are organic/ natural. Others attribute growth to demand for organic and natural.
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What are the barriers?
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Food companies form the bridge
Food businesses connect farmers with consumers, and people’s health with the planet’s health.
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Transformational food businesses (there are many) can help drive significant progress toward sustainable agricultural systems in the 21st century.