What is The Hershey Company's Sustainability Strategy?

Whitney Mayer, Head of Global Sustainability at Hershey, has detailed a new enterprise sustainability strategy in a recent article. The strategy could represent a framework for balancing commercial expansion with environmental and social responsibilities as the company enters what Whitney describes as its next chapter.

The confectionery manufacturer has expanded its product portfolio and increased its geographic presence in recent years. This growth has prompted a review of operational practices, with particular attention to risk management, supply chain reliability and long-term resilience, according to Whitney.

Consumer and stakeholder expectations have risen in parallel with climate and ecosystem pressures, Whitney notes. She suggests that businesses worldwide face increased scrutiny from communities, customers and other stakeholders.

Whitney acknowledges that sustainability initiatives and business performance can create tension. She expresses a belief that navigating this complexity with intention could produce more resilient companies.

Supply chains and social programmes

The updated strategy builds on existing work whilst adopting what Whitney describes as a more integrated enterprise approach to environmental and social challenges that intersect with commercial operations. The framework uses three pillars called Source, Make and Delight to guide current operations and future expansion over the next decade.

Hershey sources ingredients from multiple regions. Cocoa comes from West Africa, whilst dairy and peanuts are procured from the United Kingdom and US, each subject to distinct environmental and social conditions.

Many of these ingredients are grown in regions experiencing interconnected challenges. Whitney lists climate variability, water stress, deforestation and biodiversity loss among the issues affecting production areas.

Cocoa production is sensitive to changing rainfall patterns, according to Whitney. Diseases and environmental factors affecting plant health can reduce yields and quality, which could impact both crops and the livelihoods of farming families, she notes.

The company's strategy recognises that supply chain resilience begins with farms and farmers but also depends on the health of broader ecosystems. Hershey is investing in programmes designed to strengthen both elements, according to Whitney.

The Hershey Income Accelerator Program (HIAP) is a US$40m initiative in Côte d'Ivoire. The programme aims to support 20,000 farming households with training, financial incentives and tools intended to improve productivity and incomes.

Hershey has also set a goal to cover one million hectares with regenerative, restorative or protective practices by 2035. This investment could focus on the long-term health of agricultural systems, according to the strategy.

Manufacturing efficiency and waste reduction

The company's ability to deliver snacks to millions of consumers depends on how effectively it optimises operations, logistics and supply chain networks to reduce waste and minimise environmental impact, according to Whitney. She describes efficient operations as a commitment to consumers, communities and the planet.

Hershey is developing a culture focused on eliminating waste across its global manufacturing network. This approach could place sustainability at the centre of production processes for what Whitney calls the company's iconic treats.

Operational efficiency efforts include several quantified targets. Hershey aims for a 50% absolute reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, according to the strategy.

The company has also committed to sourcing 100% of electricity from renewable and zero-emissions sources by 2030. A separate goal targets the elimination of 25 million pounds of packaging.

On-site performance improvements include targeted investments in water recycling systems. Hershey is also optimising its logistics network to reduce fuel use and miles travelled, according to Whitney.

Consumer preferences and product design

Hershey has been manufacturing confectionery products for more than 130 years. Today, consumers are thinking more holistically about food choices, according to Whitney.

She notes that health, sustainability and transparency are now considered alongside taste and value. This evolution could mean rethinking how sustainability appears across the product portfolio.

Hershey is integrating sustainability considerations more intentionally into design and development processes. The aim is to deliver the choice and experiences consumers want today and in the future, according to Whitney.