Kroger Earns Rainforest Alliance Supply Chain Award

The Kroger Co.'s development of a responsible sourcing program for its Home Sense tissue products has earned a first-ever Supply Chain Partnership Award from the Rainforest Alliance.

"We appreciate this recognition of Kroger; our supplier-partner, Clearwater Paper; and our joint commitment to a sustainable supply chain," said Jessica Adelman, group VP of corporate affairs at Cincinnati-based Kroger. Clearwater Paper, based in Spokane, Wash., has been producing bath tissue, facial tissue and rolled paper towels for Kroger's Home Sense brand since 2010.

Aside from its Home Sense tissues, Kroger also features the green frog seal on other private-brand products, including its Private Selection Coffees, Private Selection Roses and other rolled-tissue products.

In addition to Kroger's Supply Chain Partnership award, Emeryville, Calif.-based Clif Bar and Clearwater Paper were also recognized as the 2016 Sustainable Standard-Setter honorees at the alliance's annual spring gala this week at New York City's American Museum of Natural History.

“We are recognizing thought leaders who are addressing some of the most significant challenges we face today,” said Nigel Sizer, newly appointed president of the New York-based Rainforest Alliance. “These companies, individuals and countries are leading by example, and their efforts show tangible, scalable results. We are proud to work with all of our honorees in protecting forests and supporting farmers and communities across the world. We believe that to bring about real change, we will all have to work together.”

The Rainforest Alliance's widely regarded third-party certification process helps ensure millions of acres of working forests and farms are managed according to rigorous sustainability standards.