Our
Commitment
Our Beliefs
We believe...
- The Carbon Cycle is a naturally sustainable process and dairying will be part of the GHG solution.
- Animal agriculture is fundamental to responsibly and sustainably feeding our planet.
- Water is a precious resource and must be treated as such.
- Healthy cows, productive farms, and efficient production are the levers within our control that can help us achieve our sustainability goals.
- Dairy products provide superior nutrition and are beneficial through all life stages
- In being leaders in safety, quality and food security.
- In positively impacting our suppliers, customers, community and employees.
- Farmers should get the credit for making sustainability improvements on the farm.
U.S. Dairy Stewardship
Commitment
We’re committed to responsible dairy production and improving the communities we serve. That’s why we’re proud to have adopted the U.S. Dairy Stewardship Commitment, which affirms our dedication to sustainable practices. We are determined to be leaders in the dairy and farming effort to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050 and use our expertise to create innovative solutions that contribute to a sustainable future.
Supporting the
Net Zero Initiative
We are determined to be leaders in the dairy farming effort to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050. We use our expertise to create innovative solutions that contribute to a sustainable future.
Committed to Change
Our goal is to improve energy use. The state of California has a focus on electrification encouraging companies to shift from fossil fuels to renewable electric energy. This increases our kilowatts.
Our goal is to decrease the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) direct emissions per 1,000 pounds of product. We continue to utilize more biogas and reduce emissions.
Our goal is to minimize resource use and maximize reuse and recycling. We produced 38% less waste overall, but the diversion rate was slightly reduced.
Our goal is to reduce water use. Our overall water use efficiency remained consistent and we were able to increase the amount of water recycled.
2024 PROGRESS
Water
Hilmar’s processes capture almost 100% of the water that was originally part of the milk we receive. This recycled water is used internally in multiple ways to wash equipment, regenerate heat and for further processing.
The Water Reclamation Biogas facilities at the California and Texas sites have complex, multistage systems. The systems include equalization, anaerobic and aerobic digestion, storage and distribution. During anaerobic digestion, biomass (good bacteria) consumes organic material in the water and transforms it to methane. The methane is processed and fuels on-site boilers in California and Texas to reduce our overall greenhouse gas emissions.
Solar Energy
Solar provides more than 20% of the energy for our LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum Headquarters and Innovation Center.
Social
Sustainability
Community Outreach
We support many organizations to improve lives in our communities. We made Merced County’s “largest” (in size) donation, a 30,000 gallon silo to the Merced County Fire Department for their new Castle Training Facility.
Inspiring Young Minds
We support and encourage education! From our visitor center’s free school field trip program to participation in agriculture and career days to scholarships, 4-H, FFA and more, we believe in continuous learning.
Food Security & Healthier Lives
We support our neighbors in need. We regularly supply our local food banks and contribute to improve health care.
Arts
Music and the arts enrich our lives. We support local events and programs to improve lives.
OUR EMPLOYEES
We take care of our employees and their families. Besides great benefits, our training and advancement program provides opportunities to learn and grow. Our tuition reimbursement program helps employees expand their horizons. Employees also receive recognition for safety, contributions and dedication.
Economic Contribution
Sustainability means stability and economic contributions. Food production is an essential business. We are a reliable supplier to both our domestic and international customers.
Milk Suppliers
We purchase milk from independent dairy farm families who focus on healthy cows, sustainable farms and efficient product to help us achieve our sustainability goals.
