Similar to HEB, the Midwest Hy-Vee is employee-owned, though by direct stockholders which usually means higher-ups exclusively, and gravitates towards local sourcing. As of late, Hy-Vee has ramped up sustainability efforts, though as Progressive Grocer notes, this is less of a political or philosophical position than a survival strategy for grocers nowadays. Maybe it is when thinking of the future, in this sense that the ends justify the means, or better said, motive. Nonetheless, in 2021 the regional grocery store has come to meet sustainable efforts where it can.
In the last year alone, Hy-Vee has joined the Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag, adopted a seafood code of conduct that is in alignment with the U.N. Global Compact, and reimagined storefronts that use a multi-pronged approach to achieve sustainability (via Progressive Grocer, and The Packer). These new chic and on-trend storefronts should, as described by The Packer, put emphasis on fresh and organic produce while appearing sleek and on-trend. Less glamorously, though very important, Hy-Vee seeks to cut down on its overall electricity use and seeks to cut down food waste as drastically as it has energy-use, as outlined by the Progressive Grocer.
As time passes and the chain grows, it is trying to meet sustainability where it can. As Hy-Vee expands beyond the Midwest and into other regions though, it may be harder to manage its environmental footprint. Hopefully, it keeps up the good work and keeps pushing onwards.