Stewardship

Business is about more than making a profit. We have the responsibility to serve and care for our customers, business partners, employees, and the resources we rely on.

What Stewardship Means to Gordon Food Service

At Gordon Food Service®, we believe business is about more than making a profit. We have a responsibility to serve and care for our customers, business partners and employees, as well as protect the resources we rely on to conduct business. Partnering with responsible suppliers, reducing the impact of our operations, taking care of employees and contributing to the communities where we live and work has enabled us to grow for more than a century. We are committed to improvement, innovation and responsible growth, so we can continue to serve our customers, provide jobs and strengthen communities for generations to come.

Sustainable Operations

We strive to minimize the environmental impact of our distribution centers, stores and fleet by using renewable resources and minimizing waste throughout our business.

Facilities

Our facility designs incorporate LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) principles resulting in earth-friendly and energy-efficient facilities.

Transportation

Disciplined fleet routing and load building reduce miles driven and fuel usage. We use onboard computers to monitor equipment performance and the latest software to identify
routing opportunities.

Waste

We are committed to increasing our use of recycled-content material and increasing paper, cardboard and plastic
recycling programs. We have reduced paper use through electronic data transfer and online document storage.

Responsible Sourcing

We are proud to partner with suppliers who share our commitment to conducting business in a responsible manner and who offer products and services that meet our high quality and safety standards.

Product Transparency

We work closely with our suppliers to provide visibility into our supply chain so our customers can find the cleaner ingredients, responsibly sourced and environmentally friendly products they’re looking for through our Clear Choice program

Food Safety

We hold ourselves responsible for maintaining the highest standards of product safety, quality and consistency on the millions of cases we distribute annually. All our distribution centers are Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certified.

Supply Chain

We conduct business with suppliers who share our commitment to sourcing products from stable, responsible and sustainable supply chains. Suppliers are required to comply with our comprehensive Supplier Code of Conduct which addresses topics like labor and human rights, animal wellbeing and business ethics.

Empowering People

We promote a culture where all employees feel valued, respected and empowered to contribute, while providing a safe environment and opportunities to learn and grow.

Safety

We require compliance with all applicable workplace and transportation safety standards, provide ongoing training and offer meaningful incentives to ensure a safe work environment.

Employee Wellness

We encourage healthy lifestyles and support our employees by investing in comprehensive benefits and wellness programs. We invest in our employees by offering professional development opportunities both within and outside Gordon Food Service, including seminars, conferences and tuition reimbursement programs.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We value diversity and strive to leverage each individual’s experiences and talents in an inclusive workplace where every voice is heard, respected and valued. Our CEO and the Gordon Family have re-emphasized their commitment to DEI by including it in our long-range strategic plan.

Supporting Community

We believe being in business is about more than commercial transactions. Caring for people and contributing to communities is integral to who we are.

Food Donations

Millions of families across North America, many with children, struggle with food insecurity. Each year, our distribution centers, stores, shows and events donate millions of pounds of food to local hunger relief organizations to help feed those in need.

Tomorrow's Workforce

We’re investing in the workforce of the future by supporting educational programs and encouraging our employees to be mentors and be engaged with students as they explore career options.

Community Partnerships

We partner with local and national organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Samaritan’s Purse who have an extended reach into communities who need it most.