At Lamb Weston, sustainability isn’t just a goal, it’s a guiding principle that shapes everything we do, from the soil to your plate. We're proud to share how our latest efforts are driving meaningful change across our operations and communities.
In a major step toward reducing our environmental footprint, we’ve partnered with Atlas Agro to source locally produced green fertilizers. This collaboration supports our broader sustainability pillars: delivering safe, wholesome food, building climate resilience, supporting farm and community prosperity, and doing more with less.
Innovation is at the heart of our sustainability journey. We’ve adopted Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) technology to preheat water more efficiently, cutting down on both water and energy use while improving product quality and yield. Learn more about this technology in episode 10 of our podcast with our Director of Environmental Engineering, Ian Toevs.
Water is essential to nearly every step of our process, from growing and washing potatoes to preparing them for your plate. That’s why we’ve invested in advanced water reclamation systems over the past 7–8 years, allowing us to treat and reuse water within our facilities. Every drop counts and we’re committed to making each one go further, learn how in our video here.
On April 24, we proudly announced the winners of our 2025 Sustainability Awards, a tradition since 2011 that honors the teams driving innovation and impact across our business. This year, we received 52 outstanding submissions across two categories: Planet and People, highlighting the power of leadership, alignment, and continuous improvement.
Here’s a snapshot of the collective impact from this year’s projects1:
· 800 million gallons of fresh water saved
· 1,800 tons of waste and food waste reduced
· 12,000 metric tons of GHG emissions avoided
· $25 million invested in sustainability initiatives
Recent data from Datassential shows that sustainability is more than a corporate priority, it’s a consumer expectation:
· Over 90% of consumers say sustainability is personally important2
· 58% say it affects their day-to-day food choices3
· 90%+ have adopted at least one sustainable food habit3
· 50% prefer to learn about sustainability efforts via social media2
· 44% prefer to learn via the operator’s website2
Operators are also taking note:
· 30% say sustainability is a high priority2
· 47% say it’s a medium priority2
· Yet, 35% still don’t promote their sustainability efforts2
While more than 9 in 10 consumers say sustainability matters to them, among Gen Z, the commitment runs even deeper. Gen Z is 32% more likely than the average consumer to say sustainability is very important2. Local and sustainable plant ingredients are especially appealing across generations, driving visits and spend2.
· 53% of consumers are more likely to visit restaurants offering sustainable plant ingredients2
· 67%+ would pay more for sustainable aquatic and plant ingredients2
· 29% love or like plant-based options4
· +34% growth in “plant-based” menu mentions over 4 years5
· +31% growth in “vegan” dishes featuring fries5
· +3% growth in “vegetarian” dishes featuring fries5
Meat avoiders are 2x more likely than meat eaters to seek out sustainable dining options2. And nearly 1 in 3 consumers are willing to pay more for plant-forward menu items6.
Our FY24 Sustainability Report is now live, offering a detailed look at our progress, partnerships, and priorities, explore the full report here.
Sources:
1. Lamb Weston ESG Report, 2024
2. Datassential Selling Sustainability, August 2024
3. Datassential 2025 Trends, December 2024
4. Datassential Consumer Preferences YE JUN'25
5. Datassential MenuTrends YE MAR’25
6. Datassential 2024 Plant-Forward Opportunity
