Maple Grove Farms of Vermont, the largest packer of pure maple syrup in the United States, announced today that the company will be presented with a Vermont Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, in recognition of the company’s Zero Waste Landfill Project. Earlier this year, Maple Grove Farms received Silver level certification by the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council, for reducing waste to landfill from 50% in 2012, to under 8% in 2016.

Maple Grove Farm’s Zero Waste Landfill Project began in 2014 as a five year plan to become a more sustainable business. The goal of the project was to reach a waste reduction of 91 percent diversion from landfill. Zero Waste is defined by the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council as, “90 percent overall diversion from landfill and incineration for non- hazardous wastes and discarded materials are reduced, reused, recycled, composted or recovered for productive use in nature or the economy at biological temperatures and pressures.”

The steps taken to achieve the certification recognition by the Governor’s program consisted of a robust review of recycling and composting activities and initiating new programs to divert items from waste, purchasing new equipment to allow for the sale of recyclable materials such as cardboard and plastic, and thorough review and adjustment of all the packaging coming in from suppliers. Posters, tutorials and presentations to lay out the new processes for disposal of certain materials were all used in order to educate Maple Grove Farms employees to make a difference.

In 2016, Maple Grove Farms exceeded its goal, two years ahead of plan, reaching 92 percent diversion rate. Through employee engagement, innovative programs and supportive partners, Maple Grove Farms has been able to significantly reduce its waste to landfill and exceed its planned goals every year. Through the process, Maple Grove Farms employees also gained personal knowledge and appreciation for enhanced sustainability, and many have brought their environmentally-friendly practices back to their homes.

“I’m incredibly proud of the work of our project leaders and each and every one of our employees, who fully embraced and rallied behind this important program, helping exceed our very aggressive goals far ahead of schedule,” said Mark Bigelow, plant manager, Maple Grove Farms. “We are pleased to be honored as recipients of the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, as a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.”

The outcomes of the Zero Waste Landfill Project are not only environmental stewardship, but can be measured in significant cost savings and enhanced customer relationships. Maple Grove Farms currently pays less for total waste disposal than it did at the start of the program in 2012, and the company is able to respond positively and confidently when asked by grocery chain customers for information on sustainability efforts, an increasingly important factor in their partnership decisions.

Maple Grove Farms has become a sustainability leader among B&G Foods’ portfolio of brands, with team members being asked to guide the waste reduction efforts of other B&G Foods facilities. The company and its employees continue to improve their efforts through knowledge and new ideas in order to better the environment, far ahead of the Vermont State requirements for both recycling and composting.

About Maple Grove Farms of Vermont

Maple Grove Farms of Vermont® had its sweet beginnings in 1915 when Helen Gray and Ethel McLaren began perfecting maple confections on the family farm. Today, Maple Grove Farms of Vermont, a division of B&G Foods since 1998, is the largest packer of pure maple syrup in the United States and is most well known for its Maple Grove Farms of Vermont Pure Maple Syrup. Maple Grove Farms of Vermont also offers gourmet salad dressings, sugar-free pancake syrups, pancake mixes, fruit syrups, maple candies and more, including select organic and gluten-free products. For more information, please visit us at www.maplegrove.com.

About B&G Foods

B&G Foods, Inc. (NYSE: BGS) and its subsidiaries manufacture, sell and distribute a diversified portfolio of high-quality, branded shelf-stable and frozen foods across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Based in Parsippany, New Jersey, B&G Foods’ products are marketed under many recognized brands, including Ac’cent, B&G, B&M, Baker’s Joy, Bear Creek Country Kitchens, Brer Rabbit, Canoleo, Cary’s, Cream of Rice, Cream of Wheat, Devonsheer, Don Pepino, Durkee, Emeril’s, Grandma’s Molasses, Green Giant, JJ Flats, Joan of Arc, Las Palmas, Le Sueur, MacDonald’s, Mama Mary’s, Maple Grove Farms, Molly McButter, Mrs. Dash, New York Flatbreads, New York Style, Old London, Original Tings, Ortega, Pirate’s Booty, Polaner, Red Devil, Regina, Sa-són, Sclafani, Smart Puffs, Spice Islands, Spring Tree, Sugar Twin, Tone’s, Trappey’s, TrueNorth, Underwood, Vermont Maid, Victoria, Weber and Wright’s. B&G Foods also sells and distributes Static Guard, a household product brand.

About the Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence

The Vermont Governor's Awards were established in 1993 to recognize the actions taken by Vermonters to conserve and protect natural resources, prevent pollution, and promote environmental sustainability. To date, more than 200 award-winning efforts of Vermont individuals, organizations, institutions, public agencies, and businesses have been recognized. These projects contribute significantly to protecting the environment, conserving energy and reducing the production of greenhouse gases. Together they have created a green and sustainable business culture, and advanced environmental education on all fronts.