Sobeys Inc. says it has exceeded its goal of cutting food loss and waste by 50 per cent, reaching a 50.3 per cent reduction from its 2016 baseline, according to the latest sustainable business report released by parent company Empire Company Ltd.
The company said the milestone was achieved five years ahead of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 target to halve global food waste.
The results were released as part of Empire’s 2026 Sustainable Business Report, which also outlines the company’s progress on greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable sourcing, community investment and workplace initiatives.
Empire said the food loss and waste reduction included 40.6 million pounds of food donated across Canada during fiscal 2026, while another 5.2 million pounds of food was diverted through the FoodHero program. The company said its food donation network supported more than 2,600 local charities across the country.
The retailer also said it became the first company to donate more than 100 million meals through Second Harvest’s food rescue network and was named the organization’s Top Food Donor for a fourth consecutive year. In Quebec, Sobeys said it received Food Banks of Québec’s 360° Donor Award for its food donation efforts, service and community impact.
Empire said it has focused on redirecting surplus food away from landfill over the past six years. As part of that effort, FoodHero is now available in more than 850 stores across Canada, where customers purchased 2.3 million kilograms of food during fiscal 2026.
“Reducing food waste takes commitment, and reaching this milestone reflects the collective efforts of teammates across our stores, Voilà customer fulfillment centres and retail support centres, together with suppliers and community partners, who work every day to recover more surplus food and keep it in the food system. As one of Canada’s largest retailers, we see this as both a responsibility and an opportunity to lead by example,” said Joshua Goodman, head of sustainability at Sobeys Inc.
The report also highlights other sustainability measures completed during the company’s 2026 fiscal year.
Empire said it reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 35.4 per cent compared with its 2019 baseline.
The company said 90 per cent of the fresh, frozen and canned fish and seafood sold under the Sobeys banner, measured by weight, met the criteria in its Sustainable Fish & Seafood Sourcing Guidelines. It also said 90.4 per cent of the palm oil used in its Our Brands, Farm Boy and Longo’s private-label products was certified sustainable.
Empire reported that it and its customers raised and donated $29 million to support programs focused on healthy bodies and minds in local communities during the fiscal year.
The company also said women held 38 per cent of its senior leadership positions and that it advanced to Phase 3 certification under the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations program.
Empire said it carried more than 13,000 products from local suppliers and producers while supporting 514 women entrepreneurs across Canada.
Empire Company Ltd. is headquartered in Stellarton, N.S. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Sobeys Inc., the company operates food retail businesses and related real estate operations. Empire said it has approximately $32 billion in annual sales, $17 billion in assets and employs about 130,000 people through its subsidiaries, franchisees and affiliates.
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