Sustainability

At Giorgio, we strive to maximize the potential of our resources and minimize waste in all our operations. Our Sustainability/ESG, Environmental, and Safety Programs track and manage sustainability metrics in the areas of energy consumption, water use, waste generation and environmental stewardship. We view sustainability as a crucial part of our business strategy as we continue to build on our efforts.

As part of our commitment to transparency and continuous progress, The Giorgi Companies recently released its 2025 Sustainability Report. The report highlights our environmental, social, and sustainability governance programs, and our efforts towards advancing circular practices and reducing waste.

You can read the report here

Mushrooms are nature’s original recyclers, and our growing process puts that principle into practice. We create our substrate by composting agricultural by-products such as corn cobs, corn stover, cocoa shells, and hay, turning materials that might otherwise be discarded into the foundation for a nutritious crop.

Our vertically integrated operations coordinate spawn inoculation, compost production, mushroom growing, fresh packing, and processing so that resources can be used efficiently across the full crop cycle. Mushrooms are harvested and sold fresh or packed in cans and jars, while stems and other mushroom pieces that do not make the cut are returned to the composting wharves to be incorporated into the next compost cycle.

After harvest, the remaining mushroom compost becomes a valuable soil amendment rather than waste. Over 100,000 tons of spent mushroom compost are generated each year, and it is supplied to local farmers and other partners as a soil amendment. Applied to fields, it can add organic matter, increase water holding capacity, and return useful nutrients back to the soil. You can learn more about our Spent Mushroom Compost here.

Mushrooms bring a lot of nutrition to the plate without adding many calories. They are low in fat, cholesterol free, gluten free, and very low in sodium, while providing protein, fiber, antioxidants, and important vitamins and minerals.

Mushrooms provide a range of nutrients including riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, selenium, copper, potassium, beta-glucans, and ergothioneine. They are also among the few foods that naturally contain vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption.

Fresh, jarred, dried, pulled, or blended, mushrooms can be enjoyed in many dishes, from salads and soups to stir-fries and pizzas. Their combination of nutrition, affordability, flavor, and versatility makes them a smart choice for people seeking healthy, plant-based foods.

Sustainability has long been part of how we operate, from growing mushrooms on agricultural by-products to returning spent compost to the land. Our vertically integrated operations gives us greater visibility and more opportunities to manage resources carefully. Responsible stewardship means building on that foundation by improving how we use energy, water, materials, and packaging while continuing to measure and report our impact.

Energy

Energy is a significant input across our growing rooms, packing facilities, processing plants, and offices. We support the generation of wind energy in the United States by purchasing Renewable Energy Credits that cover 100% of the electricity used by our companies. We also strive to improve energy efficiency through equipment upgrades, lighting changes, and efforts to reduce unnecessary energy use. 

Water

Water is essential to mushroom production, and our systems are designed to capture and reuse as much of this resource as possible. Wastewater from the composting wharves and most growing houses is collected for reuse in compost production. The wastewater from the farms and our processing facility is directed to an on-site treatment plant. All the water we use in the growing rooms, composting facility and processing facility is tracked and improvement opportunities are consistently reviewed and implemented where possible.

Packaging

It is critical that food packaging meets strict quality standards to protect product quality and shelf life. We offer our customers a variety of packaging options including fresh mushroom tills made from 100% post-consumer recycled PET, cardboard tills that use fiber certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and PE/top-seal alternatives. Canned and jarred mushrooms are packed in recyclable steel and glass.

Waste and Material Reuse

Our waste management approach prioritizes reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting. Organic material from mushroom growing and processing returns to the composting cycle, while pallets and storage containers are reused across farms and facilities. Waste segregation programs direct recyclable materials away from landfills, and nonrecyclable waste is sent to a local waste-to-energy facility.

Carbon Footprint

The Food Division completed its first greenhouse gas inventory using 2023 data as a baseline. Our Scope 3 emissions accounted for the largest share, driven mainly by purchased goods and services, while market-based Scope 2 emissions were zero because Renewable Energy Credits covered electricity use. This baseline will guide future progress in data collection and emissions reduction efforts.

Integrated Pest Management

Integrated pest management supports crop health through prevention and monitoring strategies. Our farms use monitoring, action thresholds, sanitation, biological controls, and other targeted practices to manage pests while limiting unnecessary treatments. This approach protects the crop, supports efficient resource use, and forms part of the farm management systems used across our growing operations. Our owned farms are certified under the Sustainability Standard program developed by the Sustainable Food Group, and is a testament to the robust IPM program and the efforts taken to reduce environmental impact across our growing and packing operations.

Our people are central to our success, and we work to provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive workplace. Giorgi’s Environmental, Health and Safety teams keep people safe through policies, training, hazard identification, emergency procedures, risk assessments, incident investigation, and accident prevention, while our Human Resources team focuses on supporting physical, mental and financial well-being of our employees. 

We invest in long-term growth through internal advancement and cross-skill training that help employees broaden their technical knowledge and prepare for positions of increasing responsibility. Beyond our facilities, we seek to be a responsible corporate citizen by engaging stakeholders, supporting local communities, and building a culture of respect, appreciation, and shared progress.