BURLINGTON, Ont. — Sodexo Canada’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is detailed in its latest Better Tomorrow and Indigenous Reconciliation Report, which outlines the company’s goals, achievements and data points that measure and track its progress.
“As a large organization, we recognize that every decision has the power to influence a better tomorrow and we wholeheartedly embrace our corporate social responsibilities,” says Johanne R. Bélanger, CEO, Sodexo Canada. “This commitment is a constant, evolving journey that unites our team and supports our purpose at Sodexo to create a better everyday for everyone.”
Highlights from the report include:
Sustainability
- Implemented the WasteWatch powered by Leanpath program, resulting in more than 304,000 kg of food waste avoided and $57,000 worth of food donated to non-profit organizations in 2023.
- Implemented the Forward Food Plant-Based Culinary Training program, with more than 80 culinary professionals completing the training and committing to transitioning at least 20 per cent of their current menu items to be plant-based.
- Increased responsible sourcing spend for local, small and medium-sized enterprises by $8.4 million in 2023.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Promoted gender parity, with 49.1 per cent of the management team identifying as women in 2023.
- Of the total workforce, 36.7 per cent are a visible minority, seven per cent are Indigenous and 3.7 per cent are people with disabilities.
- Sodexo Canada’s total spend with diversity suppliers is 21.8 per cent and 148 of these suppliers are women-owned business partners.
Indigenous Reconciliation
- In 2023, Sodexo Canada worked directly with 32 Indigenous communities, 28 community partners and more than 120 Indigenous-owned enterprises in its supply chain.
- Sodexo supports the First National Executive Education (FNEE) Women and Leadership program.
- This year marks Sodexo’s 22 nd year of Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) certification by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Relations (CCAB). The company achieved gold-level PAR certification, the highest level of recognition issued by CCAB.
Food Insecurity
- The Sodexo Canada Stop Hunger Foundation reached 1.5 million beneficiaries.
- Donations of more than $300,000 were made to more than 30 charity organizations fighting food insecurity.
- The 2023 Stop Hunger Foundation events raised more than $262,000 to combat food insecurity.
“While there’s always more to do, we’re honoured to contribute and continue building a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable society for all,” says Normand St-Gelais, director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sodexo Canada. “We’re grateful for our teams across Canada who embrace diversity, equity and inclusion, fight hunger, educate themselves on Indigenous reconciliation and find innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint.”
