Sustainability Certification Reveals That Existing Practices at Weis Markets Yield Significant Emissions Reductions and Value

All 197 Weis Markets stores achieved certification for 2023.

Santa Cruz, California—June 16, 2023: Weis Markets has completed Ratio Institute’s Sustainable Food Retail Certification, demonstrating the significant environmental and economic benefits of the Mid-Atlantic food retailer’s current sustainability practices while identifying opportunities for additional gains. The company previously gained Ratio Institute certification in 2021.

With each of Weis Markets’ districts, Ratio Institute conducted in-person sustainability assessment trainings that included store managers and district leadership. Together, Ratio Institute and Weis Markets’ staff assessed sustainability practices at the retailer’s 197 stores using the performance standard established by Ratio Institute’s Sustainable Food Retail Certification program.

This benchmarking approach enabled Weis Markets to quantify the value of its existing practices, track progress over time, identify new cost-saving practices, and align its sustainability strategy with corporate initiatives. During this process, Ratio Institute collected extensive store-level data on existing and potential practices.

Ratio Institute’s analysis of the data revealed that existing sustainability practices across all stores have an annual value of $13.6 million. This translates into an average of about $69,000 in annual value per store. Existing practices have also reduced the company’s annual CO₂ emissions by 392,000 metric tons—the equivalent of 85,500 passenger vehicles driven for one year.

Examples of measures yielding particularly high value also include cardboard recycling, heat recovery for water used in refrigeration, and walk-in coolers and freezers that trigger alarms when doors are left open.

“When it comes to sustainability, Weis Markets aims for continuous improvement,” said John Lerch, Senior Director, Energy and Facility Maintenance. “Since 2008, we’ve reduced our annual CO₂ emissions by 57%, including a 4% reduction over the last year. Our ongoing participation in Ratio Institute’s certification program helps us prioritize new measures and build on these gains in a systematic, efficient manner.”

“Weis Markets continues to make great strides in its sustainability practices and operations,” said Peter Cooke, Ratio Institute co-founder. “Among its numerous sustainability achievements is its industry-leading refrigerant leak rate of 8%—well below the grocery industry’s average leak rate of 25%. Through its impressive track record, the retailer has demonstrated how prioritizing sustainability drives improvement in performance, efficiency, and value.”

About Weis Markets

Founded in 1912, Weis Markets, Inc. is a Mid Atlantic food retailer operating 197 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia and Virginia. For more information, please visit: WeisMarkets.com or Facebook.com/WeisMarkets.

About Ratio Institute

Ratio Institute is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating measurable sustainability and viability in food retail through expert collaboration, industry resources, and practical tools. We work with food retailers, trade organizations, and other partners to create enterprise-level sustainability solutions that reduce costs, optimize internal practices, and improve overall performance. Learn more at ratioinstitute.org.

For further information, please contact:

Jonathan Tan

Ratio Institute Co-Founder

Phone: 805.794.9450

Email: jon.tan@ratioinstitute.org