Sargento Publishes 2024 Annual Real Impact Report

PLYMOUTH, Wis. – Sargento, a family-owned and third-generation cheese company, published its 2024 Real Impact Report, highlighting its commitments and progress across three core pillars: people, planet and product, the company said.

The 2024 Real Impact Report highlights milestones such as the 2,848 hours of company-led community service, which is nearly twice the volunteerism the company had in 2023. This volunteering effort helped build two more homes for Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, construct 40 beds for area children in need and feed 1,550 children with lunch in a single Day of Action, said Sargento. The company also diverted 91% of waste from landfills and reducing water usage by 10%, earning an AA+ food-safety rating — the highest possible — across all five of its production facilities.

"Since my grandfather started Sargento in 1953, our focus has been to bring new products to peoples' lives and treating our stakeholders like family," said third-generation Chairman and CEO Louie Gentine. "This year's report celebrates the progress we've made because of our values and our focus. We see our stakeholders as family, and understand the difference we can make by working together."

Additional achievements detailed in the report include:

PEOPLE.

• $1.9 million in Touchdowns for Hunger donations since 2002, making over 1 million meals possible
• $1.2 million + 1,200 Day of Caring volunteer hours contributed to United Way
• 17 truckloads of cheese and food donated to area food pantries
• 19 college degrees earned using $613,000 (in aggregate) in tuition reimbursement assistance
• $297,200 in Double Helping for Hunger donations since 2018
• $184,500 in Tipoff for Homes donations since 2019

PLANET.

• 15 million gallons of water saved at Sargento's Kiel plant, reducing corporate usage overall by 10%
• 91% of waste diverted from landfills

PRODUCT.

• Launched the Sargento Fun! Balanced Breaks and Flavored String Cheeses
• 100% of suppliers are engaged in environmental and/or sustainable initiatives

The report also celebrates the retirements of  two longtime leaders: third-generation family owner Mike "Mac" McEvoy and Kristi Jankowski.

View and download the full report at SargentoFoods.com/Our-Stories/Real-Impact-Report.