What makes one food company credibly sustainable and another mostly reactive? Legislation is the same for everyone. Yet some companies leverage their sustainability approach as a strategic advantage, while others remain stuck in compliance and isolated projects. The key lies in the approach.
Why looking at leaders pays off
For the front-runners, ESG is not a mandatory issue, but a guiding compass. They work with structure, make smart choices and build sustainability data into their operations. And it works: they win contracts faster, build trust and position themselves as a brand with a mission.
In this blog, you'll read about what the most sustainable food companies are doing differently, what habits make the difference, and how ESG software and guidance from an ESG consultant can help.
What are frontrunners doing differently?
Sustainable leaders in the food sector do three things structurally better:
In addition, leaders often work with an ESG consultant to stay sharp. A consultant filters what is or is not relevant to the organization. Are we still working on the right topics? Are we meeting the latest supply chain requirements? What can we do smarter around sustainability?
Examples of habits that make the difference
What you see especially in frontrunners is rhythm. Sustainability is not a one-off project there, but a fixed part of the business operations. It is deployed as a strategy. For example, many of these companies organize monthly or quarterly ESG updates, in which progress and challenges are discussed with management and the teams involved. The results are not only shared internally, but also translated into understandable communication for stakeholders. Think of sustainability information on packaging, in newsletters or on the website this is clear, visual and in plain language.
ESG is also visible on the shop floor. Some companies show their CO2 reduction or other KPIs on dashboards in the production hall, next to operational figures. This makes sustainability tangible and concrete for everyone in the company. The use of ESG software plays a crucial role here: thanks to templates, scorecards and visual formats, teams can quickly and easily work on consistent and reliable communication.
Another habit that stands out is picking up feedback. Leaders regularly test how their ESG approach is perceived, both inside and outside the organization. This provides valuable input for improvement and helps increase support. The combination of structure, transparency and commitment ensures that ESG is not an isolated topic, but an integral part of daily work.
What are the concrete benefits?
This approach translates into noticeable results:
- Faster responses to customer inquiries: When retailers or B2B customers ask for ESG information, it is already there. That gives peace of mind and increases your reliability.
- More credible brand: Because data, actions and communication are correct, it creates trust with customers, consumers and new employees.
- More grip and peace of mind in audits: Sustainability becomes demonstrable and reproducible. Audits become routine, and you no longer have stress moments.
- Better proposition in tenders: ESG as a differentiating factor in tender processes. With a strong profile and good reporting, you win contracts faster.
- Stronger internal involvement: Employees become more connected to the mission, which contributes to talent retention and attraction.
In addition, these companies build long-term value. They are more agile in changing regulations, more resilient in crises and more attractive to partners who are themselves under ESG pressure.
In this way, Planet Yes helps
Planet Yes helps food companies that want to move toward a structural sustainability approach. With a combination of experienced ESG consultants and powerful ESG software, we provide support in building a robust, workable and credible ESG profile. With the most important condition; a strategy that fits the organization and works.
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Our approach starts with determining what really matters: what themes are material, what is required by chain parties, and what fits your strategy? We then help you set up an ESG structure with measurable goals using workflows, clear communication and dashboards that provide both direction and insight.
With our ESG software, you automatically collect relevant data, work with smart templates and easily publish reports or internal updates. At the same time, our consultants ensure that your approach remains realistic, phased and future-oriented. Whether you work for a dairy processor, plant-based brand or packaging producer: we ensure that sustainability does not become a burden, but a company asset.
Planet Yes supports organizations in the Netherlands, Belgium and the United States that want to approach sustainability not as compliance, but as a growth strategy.
Start as a leader now
Leaders in the food sector show that things can be done differently. That sustainability does not have to remain stuck in spreadsheets and abstract reports, but that it can be a living part of how you work, manage and communicate as a company. With the right tools and guidance, sustainability becomes achievable, scalable and effective. What is inspiration today becomes a new habit tomorrow.
Want to know where your organization can make a difference? Then schedule an ESG inspiration session with an ESG consultant from Planet Yes. Together we will map out where you stand, where opportunities lie and how you can build a sustainable lead.
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