Sustainability at Butterball® Farms
Human Sustainability
We believe that enriching lives starts with supporting people. Our approach to human sustainability includes programs and practices that create opportunity, promote growth, and build stronger communities and long-term relationships with customers.
The Source
Mark Peters, CEO of Butterball® Farms, co-founded The Source, a non-profit based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The non-profit equips participating employers—including ours—with the best community resources to help support their employees during unforeseen or challenging times. By eliminating systematic barriers to employment, people are given a pathway to both economic and personal well-being. Through The Source, Butterball® Farm team members have access to:
- Housing support
- Transportation solutions
- Financial literacy counseling
- ESL and Spanish classes
- Job training opportunities
- And more
Continuous Learning & Innovation
We invest in employee training and development to encourage bold ideas and innovative thinking. Our culture empowers team members to bring creativity to the table.
Recognition & Rewards
We celebrate employees who contribute to innovation, quality, and service. Their ideas help us grow, so we make sure they know it.
Second Chance Employment
We actively hire individuals who have been impacted by the criminal justice system so they have the opportunity to pursue meaningful work and the chance to build a new future.
30/2/2 is a grassroots initiative headquartered at the office of the CEO of Butterball Farms, Inc., engaging employers and community partners to expand their talent pool by hiring
those touched by the criminal justice system.
Long-Term Customer Partnerships
Maintaining customer relationships for decades is rare — but for us, it’s a natural, sustainable outcome of our partnership mentality and commitment to innovation. Some customers have trusted us for over 60 years, relying on our collaboration to enrich their products and fuel their growth.
Environmental Sustainability
We’re proud to make delicious products while keeping environmental responsibility front and center. We’ve implemented systems and practices that reduce waste, cut emissions, and promote a healthier planet.
2025 Environmental Impact Highlights
Zero waste to landfill
100% of packaging purchases contain recycled content or are recyclable
6,900+ tons of butter sourced from suppliers who participate in the Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program
400+ tons of corrugate and plastic packaging recycled
90+ tons of butter oil and solids diverted from municipal treatment facilities
58,000+ pounds of waste butter reclaimed for biofuel
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
We’re committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. The graphs below shows our progress so far.
Economic Sustainability
Our economic sustainability approach is all about doing business responsibly, from the ingredients we choose to the partners we work with.
Responsible Sourcing
We are committed to sourcing materials that meet strict ethical and environmental standards. This includes a focus on:
- Fair labor practices
- Animal welfare certifications
- Sustainable ingredient sourcing, including RSPO-certified palm oil
Lean Manufacturing
We’ve implemented lean principles across our operations to reduce waste, streamline production, and improve efficiency without compromising the quality or flavor you expect.
Awards & Recognition
Trusted by the brands and certifying bodies that set the standard for quality and food safety.
Enriching Lives, One Step at a Time
Whether we're developing a custom flavor for a restaurant chain or refining our supply chain to reduce emissions, every decision we make supports our mission to enrich lives. Sustainability isn't a side project. It's how we do business.
Have questions about our sustainability efforts? We'd love to talk.