100% Renewable Energy by 2030
Pan-O-Gold Baking has set a goal to be carbon neutral and use 100% renewable energy by 2030. We use as much Green Power as possible to reduce the effects of air pollution associated with the traditional production of electricity by purchasing almost 100% of our electricity with renewable energy credits from Xcel Energy. This means we are able to effectively offset our own electricity consumption by purchasing the equivalent amount of electricity that is produced by wind and solar farms throughout the Midwest.
Since the beginning of the new millennium, we have been taking steps to make our use of energy more efficient. We've upgraded to high-efficiency equipment, eliminated boilers in our baking processes, we use residual heat recovery systems from our ovens, and keep on top of the latest technology and resource saving measures, among others.
Pan-O-Gold has applied to join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power Partnership. The Green Power Partnership, a voluntary program with over 1,700 partner organizations, encourages companies to use green power to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use. BBU uses nearly 418 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 100 percent of the organization's electricity use.
Solar Energy
When fossil fuels are burned to produce electricity, they emit harmful gases that are the primary cause of air pollution and global climate change, whilesolar power systems derive clean, pure energy from the sun. We’ve installed solar panels on our state-of-the-art bakeries and distribution centers to combat greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our collective dependence on fossil fuel. Traditional electricity is sourced from fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. When fossil fuels are burned to produce electricity, they emit harmful gases that are the primary cause of air pollution and global climate change.
Regenerative Agriculture
Whenever possible, Pan-O-Gold chooses to work with suppliers that source their wheat, sugar and other products we use as ingredients, that are sourced from farms and agribusinesses employing regenerative agricultural practices.
Regenerative agriculture employs “ earth-friendly” farming practices which includes restoring degraded soil, improving biodiversity among pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and seeks to move away from synthetic fertilizers. Regenerative agriculture uses production methods and techniques that minimize chemical use and enhance the health of both water and soil. The end result is that regenerative agriculture produces healthier food while also serving to increase yields and profits for the farmer.
Sustainability
Our sustainability mission is to move forward while responsibly managing our shared resources to ensure a sustainable future.
Reducing Waste
Our goal is that every single item that comes into our plants is to be used or recycled; we want nothing to go to landfills. Although this might be unattainable, it is constantly on our minds.
Recyclable Bags
Plastic can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. Our bags are made to break down quickly. We hope by going the extra mile that we — and not our plastic — will be around in the years to come.
Protecting Nature
A portion of our sales support Nature Conservancy and other organizations dedicated to protecting the world’s lands, waters and natural habitat.
Good Neighbors
We believe in being good neighbors by fostering local economies and creating jobs with great growth opportunities. We strive to make a positive impact in communities throughout the Midwest, from being a good employer to helping those in need.
Sedex Compliant
We are proud members of Sedex, a global membership organization dedicated to driving improvements in ethical and responsible business practices in global supply chains. For more information, visit SedexGlobal.
Loaves 4 Learning
Since its inception in 2011, Loaves 4 Learning has helped schools throughout our Midwest distribution area earn cash for the things they need. Each UPC from Country Hearth, Village Hearth, and Artisan Hearth products are worth 5 cents, allowing schools to receive up to $10,000 each school year. Support your school and start saving product UPCs today!
Second Harvest
Doing our part in the fight against hunger. We don’t believe in wasting food. Over 96 percent of food used as ingredients in our products and our products themselves are recycled. What happens when our bread products are getting close to their “fresh by” date? Local food shelves are offered all that they are able to use, and whatever is not fed to people is used for animal feed. As a supporting sponsor of Second Harvest Heartland (the Upper Midwest’s largest hunger-relief organization), each year we donate over 1 million loaves of bread and other bread products.
Electric Vehicles
Pan-O-Gold is a Grant Recipient of the Volkswagen settlement in 2019. The grant funded by the settlement will improve Minnesota’s air quality by reducing harmful tailpipe pollution in the communities where these vehicles operate. The new vehicles will reduce emissions by about 95 percent. Over the lifetime of the vehicles, projects funded by this grant are expected to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (257 tons), fine particle pollution (12 tons), and greenhouse gases (11,000 tons).
Join Team Pan-O-Gold
With three state-of-the art baking facilities, Pan-O-Gold Baking Company is one of the largest fresh bread suppliers in the Midwest. As an independent and family owned business, we are committed to providing a safe and friendly work environment with top-rate reliable equipment to produce the absolute best bread products in the market.
We’re seeking hardworking, reliable, and determined candidates to join a team that values stability, safety, and taking pride in one’s work.