Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), in partnership with Iowa State University, has undertaken an initiative to define and document the critical importance of sustainability in the animal food industry. IFEEDER’s Animal Food Industry Sustainability Toolkit, initially launched in 2023, aims to provide business leaders within the animal feed and pet food industry with practical resources for developing their internal sustainability programs, responding to stakeholders’ requests and communicating their sustainability stories. IFEEDER recently announced the addition of new materials to the resources, defining 16 material issue areas identified as important for consideration in animal food industry sustainability efforts.

"As the animal food industry continues to navigate the complex landscape of sustainability, the need for well-defined, actionable guidance has never been more important," said Lara Moody, IFEEDER executive director. "This new resource addresses that need by describing the scope of each issue in conjunction with real-world examples underway within the industry."

In phase one of its Sustainability Road Map project, IFEEDER identified 16 key issues that are material to the animal food industry and its stakeholders. These issues span three main pillars: People, Planet and Governance. The new, comprehensive resource offers detailed descriptions of each issue, insights into its potential value to the industry and illustrative examples from industry members that highlight the tangible benefits of addressing these issues.

APC is proud to be featured by IFEEDER for its substantial contributions to sustainability within the animal food industry.

“We are honored to be recognized by IFEEDER for our commitment to sustainability,” said David Dirks, chief operating officer at APC. “At APC, we understand the critical importance of sustainable practices in ensuring the long-term health of our industry and our planet. We remain committed to continuous improvement across all aspects of sustainability.”

In the Sustainability Toolkit, you will find APC leading the way in:

APC’s recognition in the resource highlights its leadership and dedication to sustainability.

The Animal Food Industry Sustainability Toolkit project was completed in collaboration with animal food industry members and students at Iowa State University, led by Kurt Rosentrater, Ph.D., professor in the department of agriculture biosystems and engineering. The project was also supported through the generosity of Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Kent Nutrition Group.