At Bimbo Bakeries USA we are committed to Our Purpose – Nourishing a Better World – and are taking action to nourish both people and nature. Our ambitions are centered around three pillars:

• Baked for You: Bring better nutrition to millions by providing more diverse nutrients in simpler recipes.
• Baked for Life: Support our associates and help our communities thrive.
• Baked for Nature: Protect and regenerate our natural systems. 

This year, we've embraced new trends and technologies to meet the needs of our associates, customers, consumers and communities. From the launch of additional nutrient-rich products to our continued dedication to protecting our planet and our steadfast commitment to valuing our associates and strengthening our communities, our journey through 2023 has been exciting and rewarding.  

Check out the highlights from the year!

Baked for You

BBU offers products for every eating occasion- breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and on-the-go. We are committed to providing our consumers with positive nutrition in every choice, more wholegrain and plant-based ingredients at every price point, and access to clear information about our products.

SmartLabel

To help consumers make the best purchasing decisions for their families, we have fitted 100% of our branded product packaging with SmartLabel – a QR code that consumers can scan to access a dynamic platform, offering the most up-to-date ingredient list for each of our products. On products such as Thomas’ and Sara Lee, SmartLabel not only leads the consumer to the detailed ingredient list but to brand-specific information, recipes and social responsibility achievements.

More Nutrient-rich Options

BBU launched four new nutrient-rich products this year that include positive nutritional ingredients like whole grains and plant-based fibers:

• Arnold, Brownberry and Oroweat Grains Almighty: Plant Protein bread
• Arnold, Brownberry and Oroweat Grains Almighty: Gut Balance bread
• Rustik Multigrain Artisan Sliced Bread
• Thomas’ Keto Bagel Thins​

Baked for Life

At BBU, We Value the Person - this applies to everyone we reach including our associates, consumers, customers and community members.

Partnering with Feeding America

We work hard to make sure everyone around the country has access to our products – even those who can’t afford to purchase them. This year, thanks to our diligent frontline associates and through our strong partnership with Feeding America, we donated over 21 million pounds of product to local food banks to help those who are food insecure in our communities.

Diversity, Equity & Belonging in Action

As part of our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Belonging, Bimbo Bakeries USA also invested more than $700,000 to nonprofit organizations focused on advancing economics, education and health in underserved communities including:

• UNCF (United Negro College Fund)
• Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP)
• Chicago Urban League
• Chicago Scholars
• Los Angeles Cleantech Incubators (LACI)
• HoPe: Hispanic Organization Promoting Education
• 100 Black Men of the Bay Area
• Inspiration Corporation
• Girls Inc. of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey & Girls Inc. of Greater Atlanta
• Special Olympics of Pennsylvania

Associate Recognition

2023 would not be complete without the opportunity to celebrate our associates for all their hard work. Last year, we kicked off our very first #BBUPROUD Days, a companywide effort to show appreciation for associates’ daily commitment to the business. In 2023, we expanded upon this two-week recognition event with the addition of Frontline First Days. Leaders across the organization teamed up with our frontline in bakeries, sales centers and distribution centers to connect and learn. 

Baked For Nature

As part of the world’s largest baking company, we strive to be leaders in sustainability, recognizing our obligation to protect and preserve our planet for generations to come.

ENERGY STAR® Highlights

This year, BBU received the 2023 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year—Sustained Excellence award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy, in recognition of our company-wide commitment to energy management strategy and leadership in the baking industry.

The Sustained Excellence honor is given, at the EPA’s discretion, to organizations that have consistently earned Partner of the Year for several years in a row.

In addition to Partner of the Year, Grupo Bimbo and BBU earned the EPA ENERGY STAR certification for 18 of its bakeries, the highest number in the baking industry and in any industrial sector with production facilities in the U.S. This certification signifies that the bakeries perform in the top 25 percent for energy efficiency among similar facilities nationwide and meet strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA.

Arnold® Organics Bread Post-Consumer Recycled Packaging

Along with a focus on innovation and efficiency in the bakeries, this year Arnold® Organics Bread launched North America's first bread bag that uses 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, produced from FDA-compliant PCR resins.

The new bags are certified and independently verified by SCS Global Services – the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company – and offer extra benefits including reducing the use of fossil fuels and lowering the carbon footprint of the packaging compared to previous bags. Featured across the brand's Organic line of products, each polyethylene bag provides another meaningful way to foster real change across the industry.

In 2023, BBU made significant progress toward our goals. We expanded our brand portfolio with additional nutrient rich options, strengthened our culture by continuing to Value The Person and continued to accelerate our sustainability actions. We will use the momentum captured this year to continue Nourishing a Better World and Win Big in 2024!